Abstract
Information on current status of ecosystem services has vital importance in preparing local, regional and national economic plans. Results from assessment report of the condition of ecosystem services help decision makers to focus on the services that are more likely to be sources of risks and opportunities for specific decisions. The main objective of this study is to assess the risks and opportunities that are related with ecosystem services within Mekelle city. Data for the study has been utilized from secondary sources. Findings of the study show that, there are different ecosystem services that provide a variety of goods and services in Mekelle city. Food and fresh water supply, genetic resources, air quality, climate and water regulation, water purification and waste treatment, recreation and ecotourism, nutrient cycling and water cycling are screened to be relevant ecosystem services in the city. To assess the condition and trends of the relevant ecosystem services in the city, a detailed analysis of the condition of relevant ecosystem services is done. For this purpose, indicators are selected and used to evaluate the condition and trends of the relevant ecosystem services and the drivers.
Highlights
IntroductionMekelle is one of the ancient cities of Ethiopia in which its historical development is based on oral tradition
Mekelle is one of the ancient cities of Ethiopia in which its historical development is based on oral tradition.According to the oral tradition, the formation of the city goes far back as to the medieval periods (Bryant, 2009).It was founded by emperor Yohannes IV in 1860’s.According to Kibrom (2005), Mekelle is located between 13032’ north of latitude and 39033’ east of longitude with an elevation 2000 to 2200 meter above sea level
The method of valuation for the relevant ecosystem services with their spatial scale and constituents are summarized in the table below
Summary
Mekelle is one of the ancient cities of Ethiopia in which its historical development is based on oral tradition. The spatial development framework of the city has 8 elements such as mixed use, residential areas (cooperatives, real estates, low cost housing, rentable), centers (administrative, commercial, cultural), green areas and open spaces (sports fields, parks, forests, urban agriculture), social services (education, health, livestock market, worship places and ceremonies, slaughter houses, waste disposal facilities), manufacturing and storage (cottage and handicraft, warehouses, garages and workshops, medium and large scale industries), road transport and utility road network (road junctions, mobility and accessibility, street spacing standards) and transport. Out of 13,000 hectares of the city’s land in the plan, land use is allocated to permitted uses in mixed use area for residential (50-60%), administration and commercial (5-10%), social service (5-10%), permitted manufacturing and storages (5-10%), recreation and green area (5-10%) and road (15-25%) This development plan has negative as well as positive impact on the urban ecosystem of the city. The following ecosystem services are identified according to whether or not a decision depends on or has an impact on the ecosystem service
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