Background: Even though increasing population pressure and associated increased demand for food and economic development have led to overexploitation and degradation of wetlands throughout the world, the drivers are most severe in developing countries. For generations, Fogera wetlands in Ethiopia which are parts of Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve have been widely used for grazing of indigenous cattle. Fogera cattle are one of several recognized indigenous breeds of Abyssinian zebu bovine cattle (Bos primigenius indicus) found in Fogera district, Ethiopia. This study was conducted to quantify impacts of rice expansion on cattle population in Fogera wetlands. Data were collected through questionnaire, focus group discussions, interviews, and land use/land cover analysis. Respondents were selected using systematic random sampling. Variance and LEVENES test were used to analyze the livestock unit and to check homogeneity. Results: The study revealed that during the 20-year period preceding 2015, the number of cattle owned decreased from 3509 to 1510 heads. In the same period, rice cultivation increased from 182 to 9499 ha and production from 6701 to 714,013 qt. Grazing lands were reduced from 8550 to 3501 ha, wetlands from 3114 to 1060 ha, and forests from 1542 to 907 ha. Land use/land cover changes showed a negative balance of 40% dry matter requiring cattle feed to be increasingly supplemented through purchases, or reduction in herd number. The study also indicated that the land-use changes brought at the expense of traditional cattle production systems. Conclusion: Hence, proper management is required to maintain these valuable resources and keep their role in socioeconomic development of the area.

More than half of the world’s population consumes rice. Recently, the area sown with modern rice varieties has expanded, and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has increased in various countries. Wetland hydrology is also influenced by chemical and physical characteristics. Hence, this research focused on temporal and spatial changes in crop patterns, input usage, and hydrology in the Ethiopian Fogera floodplain, with the following objectives: (a) What are the spatial and temporal trends in crop production patterns? (b) What input changes have occurred to produce rice and other crops? (c) What hydrological changes have occurred in the area with intensification of production systems? Primary data were gathered through a questionnaire, focus group discussions, interviews, and field observations. Secondary data were obtained from Landsat imageries, the SWAT model, water flow measurements, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). NDVI results indicated that the area cultivated for rice is increasing while the area of other crops is decreasing. Agricultural inputs are used in rice systems but were not used before the introduction of rice. Recession farming activities have also diminished wetland areas. Water flow showed a decrease, whereas Nitrogen and Phosphorus showed an increase with Pearson’s correlation values −0.069 and −0.072, respectively. Flow of water was negatively correlated with N and P water concentration, whereas N and P contents were positively correlated. In conclusion, growth of intensive rice systems has had negative environmental consequences on wetland ecology. Therefore, policies to regulate and manage wetland uses are recommended.

Despite the fact that rice was only recently brought to Ethiopia, the Ethiopian government has dubbed it the “millennium crop” because of its importance as a food security crop, as well as a source of revenue and job possibilities. Rice production is being practiced on wetland areas and floodplains; however, no attention has been given to the sustainability of these wetlands, or to the integration of different previous indigenous activities, such as livestock rearing and farming of different crops in the area. This study aims to investigate the impact of rice expansion on traditional wetland management in the Fogera floodplain wetlands of the Lake Tana basin. Data were generated via interviews and the application of GIS and remote sensing. The survey questionnaire was administered to 385 rice-producing farmers. The respondents (87%) confirmed that increases in the price of rice encouraged them to shift from the cultivation of conventional crops to rice farming. Subsequently, between the years 1973 and 2014, wetland areas have been reduced from 3114 ha to 1060 ha, accompanied by a high rate of expansion in rice production in the area. Major activities being pursued in the wetlands of the study area do not consider environmental impacts. As a result, the diverse ecosystem services available in the past have been compromised through time. Sense of ownership of wetland resources and their benefit shall be communicated to reduce abusive utilization. Therefore, the policies, strategies, and development activities implementation need to consider environmental issues in rice production enhancement endeavors.

BackgroundThis study aims to investigate the impact of rice price on expansion of rice production and traditional wetland management in Fogera Wetlands, on the eastern shore of Lake Tana, northern Ethiopia. Although rice is becoming a major cash crop in the area, it has not been given due attention for sustainability of wetland which has been traditionally integrated with different indigenous agricultural activities such as, livestock rearing, cultivation different crops. The major instruments implemented in data collection were questionnaire, key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) of sampled farmers as well as GIS and Remote Sensing. Survey questionnaire was administered to 385 rice-producing sampled farmers. ResultsThe result shows that 87% of the respondents confirm that increases in prices of rice encouraged them to shift from cultivation of conventional crops to rice farming. Subsequently, between the years 1973 and 2014, wetland areas has been reduced from 3114ha to 1060ha. Major activities being pursued in the wetlands of the study site do not consider their environmental impacts. Natural resource management and conservation policies and strategies implemented in the area didn't consider local people and their knowledge. It needs consideration to create sense of ownership of wetland resources to reduce abusive utilization of the wetland resources. Conclusion Therefore, the of policies, strategies and development activities implementation have to consider environmental issues togerther with rice production.

BauckgroundMore than half of the world's population consumes rice. The area under modern rice varieties has expanded, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has increased in various countries. The hydrology of wetlands are also influenced by its chemical and physical characteristics. Hence, this research focused on temporal and spatial changes in crop patterns, input usage, and hydrological change in Fogera floodplain, with the objectives: a. what are the spatial and temporal trends in crops production pattern? b. What inputs have been used in the past and present to produce rice and other crops? c. What looks like the hydrological alteration of the area? The primary data was gathered through a questionnaire, focus group discussions, interviews, and field observations. Secondary data from Landsat imageries, SWAT input data, water flow, normalized difference vegetation index, and hydrological alteration of the site were collected. To analyze data, tables, graphs, and charts percentage, mean, and correlation were used. ResultNDVI results indicated that rice crop is growing while other variables are decreasing. artificial inputs are currently used but before the introduction of rice were not. Recession farming activities have also diminished wetland. Annual average water flow and rainfall have been trending upward. Flow of water with Nitrogen and Phosphorous has a negative correlation, with Pearson's values -0.069 and -0.072, respectively whereas the value 0.242 indicates that nitrogen and phosphorus have a positive relationship. ConclusionIn conclusion, these extended and intensification of farming practices have an impact on the biodiversity of fauna and flora of the area.