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Physicochemical and Biological Characteristics of Two Ethiopian Wetlands

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Abstract

Wetlands serve as important natural resources and play a major eco-hydrological role in environmental management. However, information about the potential anthropogenic threats to Ethiopian wetlands is lacking; therefore an investigation was conducted to assess the physicochemical and biological characteristics of two Ethiopian wetlands. The results clearly suggest that there is a high level of anthropogenic threats to both the wetlands. The more intense agricultural practices and waste discharge was closely associated with higher phosphate concentration and low level of dissolved oxygen (DO). The biological analysis reveals a notable reduction of the diversity of macroinvertebrates in the downstream direction. Kitto wetland has significantly better MI diversity than Boye (p-value < 0.05). Overall, Boye wetland was relatively more polluted than Kitto due to intensive pollutant input mostly from the Jimma Town as well as intensive agriculture related practices around the Boye wetland excepts downstream site B3 which was furthest away from human activity. Protecting wetlands from anthropogenic threats is one of the major concerns in developing countries. This can be achieved by creating awareness among people by employing appropriate communication strategies about the importance of wetlands. In addition, intensive surveillance and monitoring programmes could pave the way to address the current catastrophe in the near future.

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Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely would like to acknowledge Jimma University Research & Publication Division for pursuing this research work by providing financial assistance. The authors would like to thank Mrs. Melita Prakash for her sincere assistance in editing the manuscript. The study site map was digitized and drawn by Abdulhakim Ahmed at department of Geography, Jimma University. We are also very grateful for anonymous language editor and reviewers who have helped for the improvement of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Science & Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

    Argaw Ambelu, Seblework Mekonen, Azeb G/Silassie, Asgdom Malu & Kaliyaperumal Karunamoorthi

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  1. Argaw Ambelu
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  2. Seblework Mekonen
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  3. Azeb G/Silassie
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  4. Asgdom Malu
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  5. Kaliyaperumal Karunamoorthi
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Correspondence to Kaliyaperumal Karunamoorthi.

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Ambelu, A., Mekonen, S., G/Silassie, A. et al. Physicochemical and Biological Characteristics of Two Ethiopian Wetlands. Wetlands 33, 691–698 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-013-0424-y

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