Mapping and Quantifying Land Degradation in the Omo-Gibe River Basin, South-Western Ethiopia

Nearly half (48%) of the Omo-Gibe River Basin in south-western Ethiopia is highly vulnerable to land degradation, with 36% already showing clear signs of degradation. This critical finding comes from a study that applied the MEDALUS method—a multifactorial approach combining soil, climate, and vegetation data—to map and quantify land sensitivity across the basin. Researchers identified 15.8% of the area as having low vulnerability, emphasizing the need for targeted land management strategies to mitigate degradation risks. Such efforts are vital for sustaining agriculture and hydroelectric energy production in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which straddles Ethiopia's Lower Valley of the Omo.

Dagne, H., Assefa, E., & Teferi, E. (2023). Mapping and Quantifying Land Degradation in the Omo-Gibe River Basin, South-Western Ethiopia. African Geographical Review, 43(3), 452–466. https://doi.org/10.1080/19376812.2022.2164023