PROJECT SUMMARY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Lake Chamo watershed is a vital socio-ecological system that supports the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia’s Southern Rift Valley. In recent decades, the watershed has experienced increasing land degradation caused by rapid population growth, deforestation, and the expansion of agricultural activities onto steep and fragile landscapes. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), with financial support from the German Development Bank (KfW), launched the Sustainable Land Management Programme Phase V (SLMP-V).

Under this initiative, Arba Minch University serves as the consulting institution responsible for establishing baseline conditions and monitoring project outcomes across four key dimensions: livelihoods, provisioning ecosystem services, regulating ecosystem services, and supporting ecosystem services. The generated baseline data provides a foundation for evaluating the effectiveness of integrated catchment restoration interventions implemented across ten woredas within the watershed.

Arba Minch University leads the development of a science-based monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for hydrological and watershed services, aimed at assessing the impacts and cost-effectiveness of sustainable land management (SLM) practices under SLMP-V. The project is structured around two main objectives and seven work packages (WPs):

Objective 1: Establish a robust hydrological and watershed services M&E system for SLMP-V

WP1: Hydrological services modelling – simulates watershed hydrological processes and responses.

WP2: Watershed services assessment – evaluates ecosystem service provision and changes.

Objective 2: Assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of SLM practices in the Lake Chamo watershed

WP3: Impact and cost-effectiveness assessment – measures the effectiveness and economic efficiency of SLM interventions.

Cross-cutting Work Packages

WP4: Laboratory analyses – provides analytical support for biophysical assessments.

WP5: Data analysis and reporting – synthesizes findings and produces policy-relevant reports.

WP6: Equipment and operational support – finances project equipment and running costs.

WP7: Project administration – oversees project coordination, management, and financial administration.

This baseline study presents a comprehensive assessment of the current biophysical and socio-economic conditions of the Lake Chamo watershed. It establishes a critical reference point for measuring future project impacts, informing adaptive management, and guiding the implementation of sustainable land management interventions aimed at restoring watershed health and enhancing community resilience.