Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Change in land use can negatively affect the potential use of an area and ultimately lead to soil and vegetation degradation that have an impact for loss of agricultural productivity. Hence, this study was conducted to examine land use change, its drivers and impacts in agricultural productivity in Gilgel Gibe sub catchment of Ethiopia. The impacts of land use change were investigated through socio-economic survey that involved 90 household interviews, key informants and 3 Focus Group Discussion. The result of socio-economic data analysis (the focus group participants and 96% of the sampled households) reported that agriculture, both crop and livestock productivity is declining. Clearance of vegetation has had an impact on the decline of agricultural productivity through soil fertility decline by the removal of vegetation cover and soil erosion. Among many factors, the major production constraints was directly associated mainly with land use change. Among others, the major reasons for the decline in vegetation cover include expansion of cropland, firewood collection for domestic consumption.

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