Social and Ecological System Dynamics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvii

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2. Overview

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Introduction: Regional Challenges and Policy Questions

      • Baylie Damtie, Emily Boersma, Krystyna Stave

      Pages 3-8

   3. Problem Overview of the Lake Tana Basin

      • Goraw Goshu, Shimelis Aynalem

      Pages 9-23

   4. System Dynamics as a Framework for Understanding Human—Environment Dynamics

      • Krystyna Stave, Birgit Kopainsky

      Pages 25-36

   5. Bahir Dar and the Lake Tana Basin: Historical Phases of Growth and Ecology

      • James C. McCann

      Pages 37-48

3. Ecosystem Characteristics

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 49-49

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   2. Climate of Lake Tana Basin

      • Wubneh Belete Abebe, Tesfahun G/Michael, Elias Sime Leggesse, Biaznelign S. Beyene, Fenta Nigate

      Pages 51-58

   3. Temporal and Spatial Climate Variability and Trends Over Abay (Blue Nile) River Basin

      • Tadesse Terefe Zeleke, Baylie Damtie

      Pages 59-75

   4. Overview of the Hydrogeology and Groundwater Occurrence in the Lake Tana Basin, Upper Blue Nile River Basin

      • Fenta Nigate, Tenalem Ayenew, Wubneh Belete, Kristine Walraevens

      Pages 77-91

   5. Characterization, Classification and Mapping of Soils of Agricultural Landscape in Tana Basin, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

      • Mekonnen Getahun, Yihenew G. Selassie

      Pages 93-115

   6. Hydrology of Lake Tana Basin

      • Elias Sime Leggesse, Biazenlegn S. Beyene

      Pages 117-126

   7. Water Quality of Lake Tana Basin, Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia. A Review of Available Data

      • Goraw Goshu, A. A. Koelmans, J. J. M. de Klein

      Pages 127-141

   8. Plankton of Lake Tana

      • Ayalew Wondie, Seyoum Mengistu

      Pages 143-156

   9. The Fish and the Fisheries of Lake Tana

      • Abebe Ameha Mengistu, Chalachew Aragaw, Minwyelet Mengist, Goraw Goshu

      Pages 157-177

   10. Birds of Lake Tana Sub-basin

       • Shimelis Aynalem

       Pages 179-205

   11. Herpetofauna and Mammals

       • Shimelis Aynalem, Abebe Ameha Mengistu

       Pages 207-230

   12. Forest Resources in Amhara: Brief Description, Distribution and Status

       • Alemayehu Wassie

       Pages 231-243

   13. Wetlands of the Lake Tana Watershed

       • Shimelis Aynalem, Goraw Goshu, Ayalew Wondie

       Pages 245-256

   14. Exotic and Invasive Plants: Water Hyacinth

       • Alie Seid, Banchiamlak Getenet

       Pages 257-279

This book is a social—ecological system description and feedback analysis of the Lake Tana Basin, the headwater catchment of the Upper Blue Nile River.  This basin is an important local, national, and international resource, and concern about its sustainable development is growing at many levels.  Lake Tana Basin outflows of water, sediments, nutrients, and contaminants affect water that flows downstream in the Blue Nile across international boundaries into the Nile River; the lake and surrounding land have recently been proposed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; the basin has been designated as a key national economic growth corridor in the Ethiopian Growth and Transformation Plan.  In spite of the Lake Tana Basin’s importance, there is no comprehensive, integrated, system-wide description of its characteristics and dynamics that can serve as a basis for its sustainable development.  This book presents both the social and ecological characteristics of the region and an integrated, system-wide perspective of the feedback links that shape social and ecological change in the basin.  Finally, it summarizes key research needs for sustainable development.

• Ethiopia
• Lake Tana Basin
• Upper Blue Nile
• Ecology
• Sustainability
• Environmental Geography

• School of Public Policy and Leadership, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, USA

  Krystyna Stave

• Blue Nile Water Institute and College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

  Goraw Goshu

• Blue Nile Water Institute and College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

  Shimelis Aynalem

Krystyna Stave, Ph.D., Professor University of Nevada Las Vegas, USAGoraw Goshu, Director, Blue Nile Water Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Shimelis Aynalem, Research Associate, Blue Nile Water Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

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