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Wetland cultivation and hydrological management in eastern Africa: Matching community and hydrological needs through sustainable wetland use

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  • Alan B Dixon
  • Adrian P Wood

Abstract

Wetlands are critical natural resources in developing countries where they perform a range of environmental functions and provide numerous socio‐economic benefits to local communities and a wider population. In recent years, however, many wetlands throughout eastern Africa have come under extreme pressure as government policies, socio‐economic change and population pressure have stimulated a need for more agriculturally productive land. Although wetland drainage and cultivation can make a key contribution to food and livelihood security in the short term, in the long term there are concerns over the sustainability of this utilization and the maintenance of wetland benefits. This article draws upon recent research carried out in western Ethiopia, which addressed the sustainability of wetland agriculture in an area of increasing food insecurity and population pressure. It discusses the impacts of drainage and cultivation on wetland hydrology and draws attention to local wetland management strategies, particularly those characterized by multiple use of wetlands, where agriculture exists alongside other wetland uses. The article suggests that where multiple wetland uses exist, a range of benefits can be sustained with little evidence of environmental degradation. Ways of promoting and empowering such sustainable wetland management systems are discussed in the context of the wider need for water security throughout the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan B Dixon & Adrian P Wood, 2003. "Wetland cultivation and hydrological management in eastern Africa: Matching community and hydrological needs through sustainable wetland use," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 27(2), pages 117-129, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:27:y:2003:i:2:p:117-129
    DOI: 10.1111/1477-8947.00047
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    Cited by:

    1. Alem Oyarmoi & Stephen Birkinshaw & Caspar J. M. Hewett & Hayley J. Fowler, 2023. "The Effect of Papyrus Wetlands on Flow Regulation in a Tropical River Catchment," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-26, December.
    2. Grotelüschen, Kristina & Gaydon, Donald S. & Langensiepen, Matthias & Ziegler, Susanne & Kwesiga, Julius & Senthilkumar, Kalimuthu & Whitbread, Anthony M. & Becker, Mathias, 2021. "Assessing the effects of management and hydro-edaphic conditions on rice in contrasting East African wetlands using experimental and modelling approaches," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    3. Manjula, M. & Gopi, Girigan & P, Vipindas, 2023. "Wetlands and Ecosystem Services: Empirical Evidence for Incentivising Paddy Wetlands," Ecology, Economy and Society - the INSEE Journal, Indian Society of Ecological Economics (INSEE), vol. 6(02), July.
    4. Chuma B. Géant & Joost Wellens & Mushagalusa N. Gustave & Serge Schmitz, 2024. "How Rural Communities Relate to Nature in Sub-Saharan Regions: Perception of Ecosystem Services Provided by Wetlands in South-Kivu," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-31, August.

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