Fourteenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

The existing natural resources in Lake Ziway and its Basin, the Ph.D. project area, has importance to providing ecological, economical, and socio-cultural services that benefit the local community, mainly the pro-poor. This study involves the assessment, modeling, mapping, and impact management of the project area Ecosystem services (ESS) that help to illuminate the spatial and temporal variation of ESS within the Lake Ziway and its basin-Ethiopia and to determine the impact of point source pollution and recommend the respective ecohydrological solution. The project identifies the spatial and temporal variation of the Lake Ziway and its basin ecosystem services, determining the level of impact of point source pollution on the existing ESS and recommending the respective ecohydrological solutions. Specific project objectives include: assess the extent (area, size), temporal and spatial variation of existing ESS of the project area, model, and map of prioritized ESS; examine the impacts of point sources pollution and recommend appropriate ecohydrological solutions; identify other stakeholders’ level of awareness on the use and importance of ESS and establish and strengthen the coordination among relevant institutions. The expected result is to provide or recommend alternative best decision options for different parties (policymakers, development workers, experts, and community members) about the use and importance of ESS that helps to be considered in the future planning and implementation of Lake Ziway and its basin development.