Journal of Science and Sustainable Development

Assessing Community-Based Watershed Management: Technical Quality of Soil Conservation Structures and Their Impacts on Soil Properties in Belo-Chikle Micro-Watershed, Elfeta District, Oromia, Ethiopia

Birhanu Kebede Kuris — 2026-08-30

Soil erosion is one of the major causes of food insecurity and environmental degradation in Ethiopia. In recent years, a community-based watershed management program has been introduced in Ethiopia. In Elfeta District, there is a lack of tangible scientific information on the performance of soil conservation practices implemented through this program. The aim of this study was to assess the technical fitness of physical soil conservation structures implemented via a community-based watershed management program, its effect on soil physicochemical properties, and the extent of farmers’ participation in the program. Field observation and physical structure component measurements were used to assess the technical fitness. Whereas, composite soil samples were collected from steep, moderate, and gentle slope classes to evaluate the effects of conservation practices on soil properties. A structured questionnaire was used to assess farmers’ participation in soil conservation. As compared to the nationally established specification of graded soil bund for areas similar to Elfeta District, technical errors were found in bund spacing and vertical interval. The soil moisture content, bulk density, clay content, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by slope gradient. These properties become better as the slope gradient decreases. To ensure the sustainability of watershed management practices and minimize observed technical faults on conservation structures, continued technical support, trainings, and follow-ups are required from the districts' experts and extension services in the study area.

Historical and Future Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics in the Erer Sub-Basin Wabi-Shebelle River Basin, Ethiopia

Birhanu Legesse Wakjiraa — 2026-08-30

Rapid land use and land cover (LULC) change threatens ecosystem sustainability, yet its future patterns and dynamics remain insufficiently understood in developing countries like Ethiopia. The study aimed to evaluate the historical LULC changes and predict its future changes in the northeast of the Wabi-Shebelle River Basin (WSRB), Ethiopia. We used the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms in ArcGIS Pro to classify LULC classes from multi-sensor Landsat imagery (MSS, ETM+, OLI). The Cellular Automata (CA)-Markov model and Land Change Modeler (LCM) in TerrSet with Idrisi software were used to predict future LULC changes. Between 1985 and 2022, water bodies, forests, and shrub lands decreased by 84.1%, 47.4%, and 22.6%, respectively, whereas built-up, agricultural, and barren lands increased by 2862.4%, 44.6%, and 75.5%, respectively. By 2062, under the business-as-usual scenario, water bodies, forests, and shrub lands are projected to decline by 80.1%, 40.1%, and 19.8%, respectively, while developed, agricultural, and barren lands are expected to increase by 566.3%, 18.5%, and 4.9%, respectively. The SVM and CA–Markov models effectively classified historical LULC and simulated future changes. Although LULC conversion is projected to continue, its rate is expected to slow as much of the highly suitable land, particularly in the upper region, has already been converted. Sustainable land management and targeted conservation measures should be prioritized to limit further LULC conversion and protect the remaining natural ecosystems, particularly in the upper region.

Exploring the Nexus Between Prison Ecology and Behavioral Adaptations Among Convicted Individuals: A Case Study in Sheger City of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Alemneh Birhanu Yirgu — 2026-08-30

This mixed-methods study explores the relationship between prison ecology and behavioral adaptations among convicted individuals in the Sheger City correctional system, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, addressing a critical empirical gap in localized carceral settings. A Convergent Parallel Mixed-Methods Design incorporating a cross-sectional survey was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire with 341 convicted individuals (proportionally stratified across 120 cell units within 6 blocks across three municipal facilities) and supplemented by semi-structured key informant interviews and focus group discussions (2 sessions) for empirical triangulation. Quantitative survey results revealed that an overwhelming combined 86.3% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that spatial overcrowding directly heightened interpersonal aggression, while 80.9% reported that severely restricted access to proper sanitation facilities compromised personal dignity. Furthermore, 66.8% rated institutional educational and vocational programs as ineffective or non-existent, and 47.8% attributed behavioral rebellion or emotional withdrawal to negative, security-centric staff interactions. Qualitative thematic analysis supported these trends, showing that inmates adapt through a dual mechanism: predominantly pro-social coping (90.3%, primarily spiritual practices and peer networks) and localized anti-social tactics (9.7%, including social isolation and defensive group affiliations). The study concludes that the current carceral ecology remains overly punitive, and recommends urgent administrative policy shifts toward infrastructural expansion, staff rehabilitative training, and structured inmate development programs.

Integrated Assessment of Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics and Climate Change Impacts on Watershed Hydrology in the Dawe Watershed, Ethiopia

Birhanu Legesse Wakjira — 2026-08-30

Freshwater sustainability is increasingly threatened by the impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) dynamics and climate changes, mainly in arid and semi-arid data-scarce watersheds of developing countries. This study assessed the separate and combined effects of predicted LULC dynamics and climate changes on the water resources in the Dawe watershed, Ethiopia. Future LULC was projected using a Cellular Automata (CA)-Markov model, while climate projections were derived from an ensemble of six CMIP6 Global Climate Models (GCMs) under the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) SSP2–4.5 and SSP5–8.5. Hydrological responses were simulated using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool Plus (SWAT+) under nine scenarios (S0–S8), integrating projected LULC conditions (2024 and 2062) with mid-century (2024–2055) and late-century (2056–2085) climate projections. With Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and Kling-Gupta efficiency (KGE) values surpassing 0.8 during both calibration and validation, the model demonstrated strong performance. The simulations demonstrate a consistent increase in evapotranspiration (ET) under all scenarios, ranging from 13.0% under climate change alone (S1) to 23.4% under the combined LULC and climate change scenario (S8). In contrast, water yield (WY), surface runoff (SR), and groundwater recharge (GWR) will decline under all future scenarios, with the greatest reduction occurring under the combined effects of LULC and climate change. Under the worst-case scenario (S8: SSP5–8.5, 2062 LULC, and late-century climate), WY decreased by 34.5%, SR by 32.9%, and GWR by 23.2%. The continued land expansion and warming will alter watershed hydrology. Climate change is the main driver of hydrological shifts, amplified by LULC change. The worst impacts occur under combined SSP5–8.5 and 2062 LULC, so assessing drivers separately underestimates risks, underscoring the need for integrated modeling. These results highlight the necessity of integrated land and water resource management strategies to enhance water security and strengthen climate resilience.

Distribution and Pathogen Characterization of Chickpea Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri) in the West and Southwest Shewa Zones of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Tsegaye Dabessa — 2026-08-30