Abstract

This study aims to identify and delineate land resources including soil, water and terrain resources, and major river basins, with demographic data and agro-ecological zone classification of general climatic conditions and vegetation characteristics of Gamo Gofa and Dawuro zones in South-western Ethiopia. Metadata source and visual assessment were used for this purpose. Agroecology zone classification is based on elevation, reference length of growing period, temperature, soil type, major river basins at district level alongside their relationship and specificity in land use system. Agroecology approach is particularly useful for agrarian systems, because it provides information about their physical functioning and their spatial/temporal differences. It shows the differences that exist clearly in the structure and physical/biological functioning in agriculture- either natural resources and consumer market link or a new transition toward a more sustainable agrarian development. This work is designed to ascertain the state of natural resources to aid coherent decision making regarding resource use efficiency in rural development process.

Key words: Agroecology class, Dawuro, Gamo Gofa, river basin, spatial soil distribution.