Abstract

This study aimed to show impacts of land use and land cover change (LULCC) and climate on waterbird community structure of Lake Zeway and the surrounding areas. Purposive sampling techniques were used to collect primary data. Based on the purposive sampling techniques, 12 key informants and 12 focus group discussants were selected. A semi-structured questionnaire prepared in English and translated into Afan Oromo was used to interview the focus groups. The key informants participated in the interview under close inspection of the researcher. Field observations and literatures searches were also carried out on the impacts of LULCC, climate changes, lake hydrodynamics and biodiversity. Most (92%) of the discussants indicated decreases in the level and width of Lake Zeway during the last 3-4 decades. The lake water withdrawal for irrigated agricultural activities in the surrounding areas was the main reason for decreases. Eleven groups (92%) reported temperature increases and lower and unpredictable rainfall patterns as cause for the decreases. These changes reportedly resulted in decreased waterbird species diversity and abundance and changed distribution patterns across the lake and the surrounding areas. The FGD identified fish production and irrigated farm and bird habitat as the three most important values of the lake. The discussants also reported the combination of land-use and climate, or climate changes, as important drivers that altered the lake water level, wetland habitats and bird community structure. Urgent conservation measures that could reduce the impacts are needed to conserve the bird species at the lake.

Key words: Bird community, climate, changes, impacts, irrigated agriculture, land use.