Measuring the Semi-Century Ecosystem-Service Value Variation in Mekelle City Region, Northern Ethiopia

Shishay Kiros Weldegebriel,Kumelachew Yeshitela

doi:10.3390/su131810015

Shishay Kiros Weldegebriel, Kumelachew Yeshitela

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810015

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Abstract

The Mekelle city region is facing severe ecosystem degradation. The study area has experienced unprecedented land-use dynamics over the past 47 years, but the effect of these dynamics on ecosystem-service values remains unknown. Estimating the various ecosystem services from a city region perspective has not been attempted so far. The rationale of this study was to estimate the spatial–temporal ecosystem-service value variations. The methodology employed was land-use/land-cover (LULC) datasets of remotely sensed datasets of the years 1972, 1984, 2001, 2012, and 2019, and ecosystem service value coefficient, expert focus group discussion, and document review were used. The digital satellite images were processed, classified, and analyzed using Earth Resource Development Assessment System (ERDAS) Imagine. Computations of changes in the land-use categories were made using Arc GIS 10.5.1, Eviews for time series data analysis, and XLSTAT analytical tools were used. Over the whole study period from 1972 to 2019, a loss of USD 128.6 million was observed, which is a reduction of 501.9%. The study shows that due to land-use changes, the total ecosystem service value is decreasing annually, suggesting that much more severe ecosystem degradation is due to occur. The results are relevant to policy development and indicate that ecological restoration is the best option in the study area.

Highlights

Land-use change has a substantial impact on the world’s ecosystems
Comparison of LULC in 1972 and 2019 derived from satellite imagery interpretation indicates that the built-up area, comprising human habitation developed for nonagricultural uses like building, transport, and communications, is mainly broadened
The study area observed a huge amount of agricultural land converted into settlements and other urban development activities

Summary

Introduction

Land-use change has a substantial impact on the world’s ecosystems. Land-use/land-cover (LULC) dynamics alter ecosystem-service values [2]. The value of ecosystem services is widely acknowledged for their hopeful role in economic, environmental, and social well-being and in achieving the three main pillars of sustainable development [3]. Assessing the influence of LULC changes on ESV is an important tool to support decision-making [4] Ecosystem-service values (ESVs) provide an integrated, universal measure for evaluating and communicating the impacts of land-use dynamics and for justifying, prioritizing, and targeting investment in conservation [5]. Ecosystem services offer the potential to link environmental degradation and loss, matters of which are becoming increasingly prominent, with the sphere of economics and development. Ecosystem Services draw from both the current state of knowledge of ecology and economics and adopt the “received wisdom” from both in terms of their respective mechanisms and modes of operation [7]

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