Improving management of shoreline and riparian wetland ecosystems: the case of Lake Tana catchment

This review paper presents the results of many years' research and field observations on ecological status of the catchment of Lake Tana in relation to the socioeconomic issues. There are a number of wetlands in Lake Tana region such as shore areas, head springs, permanent and temporary floodplains (riverine and manmade) which serve as crop production, fisheries, sand mining, wetland products harvesting, etc. Population pressure and poverty have led to more intrusive activities, which have damaged the overall natural resources. Poor management practices further restricted the basic ecological services they provide (for example climate control, nutrient retention, drinking water provision, flood protection, etc.). The most outstanding threats of the shoreline and riparian wetlands stability are agriculture, industrial pollution, drainage activities and overharvesting of wetland resources. Management strategies should comprise both biophysical and socioeconomic aspects with emphasis on issues like adoption of watershed/ecosystem approach at policy level, integration of income generation in conservation activities, sharing of responsibility/benefits among local stakeholders, institutional strengthening for environmentally and socioeconomically sustainable development of lakes.