Effect of climate change on “Eichhornia crassipes” infestation in Lake Tana Sub-Basin, North Western Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

Climate change-induced alteration of ecosystem conditions can enable the spread of invasive plant species through both range expansion and the creation of habitats and conditions suitable for newly introduced exotic species. This research tries to evaluate the effect of climate change on ‘Eichhornia crassipes’ intensification in Lake Tana Sub-Basin, North Western Ethiopia. Land use land cover change was analyzed using ArcGIS 10.8 and temperature and rainfall data were interpolated to evaluate the effect of climate change on water hyacinth infestation. The result of the study shows that the area covered by water was decreased, whereas the area covered by water hyacinth was increased by 9.3%. The highest decrease −82.41% in land cover was recorded for savanna forest land which was found in the surrounding area of the lake. A significant amount of water bodies was also converted to wetlands due to the invasion of water hyacinths. The result also shows that areas with high annual temperature readings result in a high rate of water hyacinth invasion. The study also suggests that areas that receive high rainfall were characterized by having a high invasion of water hyacinth. From the study, it is possible to conclude that climate change facilitates the invasion of water hyacinths in Lake Tana. Comprehensive management strategies need to be developed by the government, policymakers, and environmentalists especially considering the positive use of water hyacinth.

KEYWORDS:

• Climate change
• invasive species
• land use
• water hyacinth

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in the hand of the researcher and ready to provide it in the time of need.

Public interest statement

Ethiopia is endowed with water source and the century is termed as ”water tower at the horn of Africa”. The water sources of the country were highly affected by natural and anthropogenic factors. Climate change and invasive species were responsible for disturbance of lakes and rivers found in the country. Climate change which is supported by unlimited human need cause for eradication of some lakes and rivers. Climate change can facilitate the invasion of water hyacinth which affects ecosystem, biodiversity and socioeconomic activities in the study area.

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Notes on contributors

Tesfaye Bayu

Tesfaye Bayu is a lecturer in the Department of Natural Resources Management, Debre Markos University Burie Campus and has MSc in land resource management from Bahir Dar University, and PhD from Diponogoro University. He has taught several courses for general forestry, natural resources management, plant science and horticulture students. His areas of interest are conducting research on status of food security, soil fertility management, environmental management, climate change mitigation and adaptation; invasive species land resource management, watershed management, etc.