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On the use of contingent valuation method to assess factors affecting the contribution of local people for the management of water hyacinth in Lake Tana, northwestern Ethiopia

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Abstract

The colonization of freshwater lakes by invasive alien species is increasingly alarming primarily owing to nutrient loads from the watersheds. For the sustainable management of invasive weeds, preventive methods, such as watershed management and sustainable agricultural practices, are recommended. Watershed protection activities by the upstream local community are believed to be effective measures to reduce nutrient loading to the receiving water bodies and hence help prevent the spread of water hyacinth. However, their willingness and potential contributions determine the effectiveness of watershed management activities. The objective of this study is, therefore, to evaluate the preferences and contributions (willingness to pay and willingness to contribute labor) of the local community for the management of water hyacinth in Lake Tana (Ethiopia). A contingent valuation method for a hypothetical market “prevention of water hyacinth infestation of Lake Tana through watershed management program” was used to collect data from 560 randomly selected households. A multivariable interval regression model was used to identify factors affecting the contribution of local people. The mean yearly willingness to pay and to contribute labor of the respondents was 435.4 Ethiopian Birr (US$ 10) and 22.4 man-days, respectively. The place of residence (rural/urban), educational level, private farm plot area, annual income, and water hyacinth-related conference participation significantly influenced the willingness to pay. Similarly, the willingness to contribute labor was strongly associated with place of residence, location, educational level, and household family size. The economic value derived from this study reflects community preferences, which could be an input for informed and evidence-based decision-making regarding the prevention of weed expansion and sustainable use of ecosystem services. Therefore, local, regional, and national authorities are advised to mobilize the local community to contribute labor and/or money so as to halt the expansion of the weed.

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Availability of data and materials

Datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Notes

  1. One US$ = 43.5 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) on June 19, 2021 (Source: https://www.combanketh.et/en/exchange-rate/)

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Wollo University for the financial and logistic support. We are also thankful to the local community and government administrators for their cooperation and support during data collection.

Funding

The Wollo University funded this project.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Birhanu Sewunet, Mesfin Gebrehiwot, and Haileyesus Girma contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health, Wollo University, P.O.Box 1145, Dessie, Ethiopia

    Birhanu Sewunet, Adinew Gizeyatu, Mistir Lingerew, Awoke Keleb, Asmamaw Malede, Metadel Adane, Lebasie Woretaw, Chala Daba & Mesfin Gebrehiwot

  2. Department of Environmental Health Science, Haramaya University, P.O.Box 235, Harar, Ethiopia

    Haileyesus Girma

  3. Department of Environmental Health Science, Debremarkos University, P.O.Box 269, Debremarkos, Ethiopia

    Balew Adane

  4. School of Public Health, Woldia University, P.O.Box 400, Woldia, Ethiopia

    Berihun Mulu

  5. Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia

    Sisay Abebe Debela

Authors
  1. Birhanu Sewunet
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  2. Adinew Gizeyatu
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  3. Mistir Lingerew
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  4. Haileyesus Girma
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  8. Lebasie Woretaw
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  9. Balew Adane
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  12. Chala Daba
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  13. Mesfin Gebrehiwot
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Contributions

Birhanu Sewunet, Mesfin Gebrehiwot, Adinew Gizeyatu, Haileyesus Girma, and Mistir Lingerew contributed to the study conception and design. The material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Birhanu Sewunet, Mesfin Gebrehiwot, Awoke Keleb, Asmamaw Malede, Metadel Adane, Lebasie Woretaw, Balew Adane, Berihun Mulu, Sisay Abebe Debela, and Chala Daba. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Birhanu Sewunet and Mesfin Gebrehiwot. The authors critically reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mesfin Gebrehiwot.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the institutional review board of the Wollo University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences. All methods, including the ethical approval and research permission, were performed in accordance with national standards, guaranteeing the anonymity of the respondents. Oral informed consent was sought from the respondents, and assurance with regard to data confidentiality was provided. Participation was entirely voluntary, and no incentive was given. The values, rights, and dignity of the respondents, and confidentiality of the responses were considered carefully. It was explained that it was their right not to participate or to drop out from the study at any time.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Sewunet, B., Gizeyatu, A., Lingerew, M. et al. On the use of contingent valuation method to assess factors affecting the contribution of local people for the management of water hyacinth in Lake Tana, northwestern Ethiopia. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 88147–88160 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21846-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21846-y

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