Impacts of rangeland degradation on soil physical, chemical and seed bank properties along a rradient in three rangeland vegetation types in Somali region, eastern Ethiopia

The Somali region of Ethiopia is a typical pastoral area, that occupy >50% of the 0.7 million km2 rangeland in the country. However, all forms of rangeland degradations have become major threats to enhance a sustainable pastoral-livestock production in Ethiopia. But except for very few studies on rangeland condition assessments, no or too little research has been conducted to understand the different impacts of soil degradation on the range bio-physical ecology. As a result, there exists a gap in knowledge to plan present and future rangeland improvement interventions in the country. The purpose of this study is therefore, to understand the impacts of different rangeland degradation conditions on the soil physical, chemical and seed bank properties along a gradient. Three rangeland vegetation types were selected in Erere wereda, Shinille zone in north eastern Somali region of Ethiopia, classified as arid (60%) and arid and semi-arid (40%). The experimental sites included: the Asbuli grassland (9–11.80N and 40–41.80E), the Aydora open savanna (8–10.80N and 40–4180E) and the Hurso closed savanna (4–6.80N and 40–42.80E), with an altitude ranging between 300 and 1200 m.a.s.l,. Each site was laid out in to four sites of degradation condition classes, namely: excellent (benchmark), good, moderate, and poor along the gradients. Accordingly, some important soil physical, chemical and soil seed bank parameters were analyzed using scientific procedures. Based on the results, soil texture showed a shift from clay type to silt clay, while soil erosion and compactions intensities were increased as rangeland conditions declined from excellent in to poor classes along the gradient. Further, increases in conditions of degradation simultaneously increased bulk density while vegetation covers showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction. This was explained in terms of increased bare ground with inverse proportion of basal cover. On the other hand, soil moisture, organic matter and organic carbon made a significant (p < 0.05) reduction as degradation condition increased from excellent into poor classes. Patterns in soil Nitrogen, available Phosphorus and Potassium also reduced significantly (p < 0.05) as rangeland degradation increased, may be due to higher leaching induced by higher runoff. Nevertheless, Cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, pH and percent base saturation (i.e. Ca, mg and Na) highly decreased as degradation was increased. To this end, deteriorations in rangeland condition has an overall negative impact on the soil physical and chemical characteristics, demanding for more efforts to improve the health of range vegetations. Likewise, number and density of regenerated plants declined in the soil seed banks from excellent to poor condition classes. Nevertheless, the soil seed banks still give an opportunity for rangeland improvement using appropriate rehabilitation, conservation and utilization techniques.Keywords: Rangeland ecology, condition classes, soil texture, xchangeable ions, pH, soil nutrients

A model public toilet service in an urban context that improves management and income for the urban poor: Field action report

Background: In Ethiopia, public toilets are commonly provided and managed by municipalities or designated government structures. This traditional model of public toilet management is limited in its ability to generate income for upkeep. To address this, USAID’s Strengthening Ethiopia’s Urban Health Program developed a public toilet management model with an integrated business approach and multiple construction design options. Objectives: To demonstrate a sustainable model for public toilet management that ensures the provision of high-quality and equitable services. Method: A public toilet management model and engineering design with three typologies were developed after a multi-sectoral team of experts conducted studies to identify the key challenges to current management. The management model and engineering design were tested in Kombolcha and Kemisse. Results: From February to August 2018, 5,099 and 18,795 people used the public toilet and shower services in Kombolcha and Kemisse towns, respectively. Of these users, 338 (3.6%) and 318 (3.4%) have a disability. In Kombolcha, four women organized as a medium and small enterprise (MSE) are managing the toilet and shower services; each member receives a 700 birr monthly salary. In Kemisse, five women organized as an MSE are managing the facility; each member receives a 2,500 birr monthly salary. They have a savings of 29,000 birr in the MSE’s account. Conclusion: The developed model helps to strengthen the management of public toilet service quality and sustainability by creating business opportunities. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2020; 34(Special issue 2):42-48] Keywords: Public toilet, model, urban, income, urban poo

Enabling equitable collective action and policy change for poverty reduction and improved natural resource management in the Eastern African highlands:

"The role of local and external institutions in natural resource management (NRM) is gaining attention in the literature, fostering greater understanding of the relationship between collective action and poverty, collective action and equity, and the conditions under which collective action institutions take root. It has also led to increased understanding of how uncritical practices by external development institutions can propagate social inequities in NRM. Yet little research has been conducted to understand how to foster local collective action institutions where they are absent, or to improve institutional practice. This research integrates empirical and action research in an effort to generate ‘working solutions' to problems facing rural communities in their efforts to manage their natural resources in the highlands of Ethiopia and Uganda. Following a brief introduction to the literature and the research, findings are presented according to two distinct phases of research. Data are first presented on existing forms of collective action, the influence of local and external institutions on economic development, and NRM problems that persist despite their negative livelihood consequences. Action research themes selected from a list of identified problems are then presented in greater detail, with lessons learnt thus far in attempting to overcome institutional barriers to improved NRM. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of findings for research, institutional practice, and policy." authors' abstractNatural resource management, Collective action, Equity, Livelihoods, East African highlands, Gender, Environmental management,

Enabling Equitable Collective Action and Policy Change for Poverty Reduction and Improved Natural Resource Management in the Eastern African Highlands

The role of local and external institutions in natural resource management (NRM) is gaining attention in the literature, fostering greater understanding of the relationship between collective action and poverty, collective action and equity, and the conditions under which collective action institutions take root. It has also led to increased understanding of how uncritical practices by external development institutions can propagate social inequities in NRM. Yet little research has been conducted to understand how to foster local collective action institutions where they are absent, or to improve institutional practice. This research integrates empirical and action research in an effort to generate working solutions to problems facing rural communities in their efforts to manage their natural resources in the highlands of Ethiopia and Uganda. Following a brief introduction to the literature and the research, findings are presented according to two distinct phases of research. Data are first presented on existing forms of collective action, the influence of local and external institutions on economic development, and NRM problems that persist despite their negative livelihood consequences. Action research themes selected from a list of identified problems are then presented in greater detail, with lessons learnt thus far in attempting to overcome institutional barriers to improved NRM. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of findings for research, institutional practice, and policy

Enabling equitable collective action and policy change for poverty reduction and improved natural resource management in the Eastern African Highlands

The role of local and external institutions in natural resource management (NRM) is gaining attention in the literature, fostering greater understanding of the relationship between collective action and poverty, collective action and equity, and the conditions under which collective action institutions take root. It has also led to increased understanding of how uncritical practices by external development institutions can propagate social inequities in NRM. Yet little research has been conducted to understand how to foster local collective action institutions where they are absent, or to improve institutional practice. This research integrates empirical and action research in an effort to generate ‘working solutions’ to problems facing rural communities in their efforts to manage their natural resources in the highlands of Ethiopia and Uganda. Following a brief introduction to the literature and the research, findings are presented according to two distinct phases of research. Data are first presented on existing forms of collective action, the influence of local and external institutions on economic development, and NRM problems that persist despite their negative livelihood consequences. Action research themes selected from a list of identified problems are then presented in greater detail, with lessons learnt thus far in attempting to overcome institutional barriers to improved NRM. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of findings for research, institutional practice, and policy