Abstract:
Local communities’ adaptation to climate change requires measures that simultaneously reduce
poverty, protect or restore biodiversity and ecosystem services, and remove atmospheric
greenhouse gases. Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) involves measures for climate change
mitigation and adaptation that aim to strengthen the resilience of local communities vulnerable
to climate change effects. It combines measures to achieve these multiple outcomes and is
particularly relevant to developing nations that safeguard most of the planetary biodiversity and
healthy ecosystems. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented Ecosystem based Adaptation intervention measure in Lake Kibare riparian zone in Rwanda. Lake Kibare
was identified as a site for EbA investments because it was seen to be vulnerable to climate
change impacts. Primary data were collected using both GPS and structured questionnaire
while secondary data were collected from government reports, conference proceedings, and
primary literature. The results showed that the bamboo planted in the Lake Kibare riparian zone
as an EbA measure is growing and thriving with new shoots (48% of the bamboo). It provides
many ecosystem services to the local communities including landscape beauty and restoration
(85.54%), maintenance of biodiversity (77%), and regulation of climate (69%). Bamboo
provides socio-ecological resilience for local communities surrounding the study area. The
implemented EbA intervention approach was reported to be very effective (61.45%) by
community members interviewed. However there are some negative effects associated with this
intervention (60.24%) mainly food insecurity and famine for local communities who used the
Lake Kibare riparian zone for agriculture practices but are now no longer allowed to use it.
Besides bamboo plantation, other reported EbA intervention measures were mentioned by the
community members that were implemented prior to the EbA project, including installation of
rainwater collection units at individual households and underground water tanks which have
helped local communities. Community members also mentioned constructed dams and flood
canals. However, there is still a need to raise awareness about the benefits obtained from the
EbA intervention measures to help local communities to be integrated into their implementation
