Abstract:
Wetlands historically played noticeable role in human civilizations and cultural development.
They are sources of food, tourism, cultural resources, help in flood control, improve
hydrological quality, and hot spots of biodiversity and wildlife conservation. However, global
wetlands in general and those in Ethiopia are subject to anthropogenic degradation. BoyeKito wetland is one of the valuable wetland resources in southwestern Ethiopia which is a
home for unique birds’ and source of income for local community. However, the status of
Boye-Kito wetland was not adequately recognized by the public at large. As a result, the
current study was initiated to analyze the status of Boye-Kito wetlands using the Driving
forces-Pressures–State– Impact – Responses Framework (DPSIR). The specific objectives
were 1) to identify the socioeconomic drivers and pressures and 2) to assess the socioeconomic
impacts and responses of changes in the processes and functions of the Boye -Kito wetlands.
The results of the current study revealed that the major drivers in Boye-Kito wetland were
Population growth (47%), government policy in reducing employment opportunity (14%), food
insecurity (13%) and land shortage for cultivation and grazing (11%), respectively. Also,
drainage and agricultural practice (23%), sediment deposition and municipal waste discharge
(19%), upland vegetation clearance (13%), and new settlement (13%) were pressure
indicators. Biodiversity loss (34%), sediment level rise (26%), decrease hydrological level and
quality (27%), and erosion hazards (15%) were the notable state change indicators. On the
other hand, settlement expansion (70%) and suitability to agricultural practice due to better
local market (36%) were also the accompanied observed impacts. Consequently, poor grass
quality (43%), long distance and hours to collect grass (20) were also undesired impacts.
Typical responses technical (32%), institutional (31%), policy related (25%), and planning
(21%) were given for the betterment of the wetland. Therefore, to sustain the health of BoyeKito wetland studying on how to raise awareness of local community, identification of
measures to manage Boye-Kito wetland through community participation, and identification of
potentials and constraints to ensure their potential meet food security might be helpful
