Abstract:
Currently, climate change and its impacts on natural resources are key issues in Ethiopia. The
main impacts on natural resources include land degradation, soil erosion, deforestation, loss
of biodiversity, recurrent drought and flood. In view of this, this study was initiated with the
main objective of assessing the impact of watershed management on climate change
adaptation in Gara Jeba watershed, Deder Woreda. To address the above objective, the study
used both qualitative and quantitative data gathered through semi-structured questionnaire,
focus group discussion, and key informants. Besides this, long-term climate data was collected
from the national meteorological agency of Ethiopia. Climate variability was analyzed by
InStat software, whereas impact of watershed management on climate change adaptation was
analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, bar graphs etc. The
results revealed that different watershed management activities were implemented in the
study area to support the local communities to cope with climate change. The results indicated
that watershed management intervention improved availability of water, vegetation cover,
income per household from crop production, social interaction and encouraged households to
conserve natural resource. Watershed management intervention also reduced climate hazards
such as flood, soil loss, drought, crop and animal diseases, and land degradations. The MannKendall
test, showed positive increasing trend in kiremt seasonal rainfall by 2.2 mm per year..
Thus, intervention of watershed management could play a significant role to enhance the
capability of the area to cope with climate change impacts. However, lack of technical advice
and information to support the selection of interventions suitable for the local context
constrain success watershed management in the area. Therefore the government should be
recommended to develop proper monitoring and follow up system in place to ensure continuity
and sustainability of the watershed management activities.
