Abstract
Lake Chitu is one of Ethiopian Flamingo Lakes known by single dominant blue green algal specie called Arthrospira fusiformis. A household questionnaire survey of respondents, key informants and focus group discussion were made in 2012 in Labu Subuqa kebele where lake Chitu is found to see major threats for general ecosystem disturbance, to see the use of the lake for the surrounding community and to identify major stakeholders for restoration and conservation of the lake in an integrated way. Results showed that deforestation of the catchment area is the main threat for the total degradation of the lake. Soil erosion occurred due to intensive loss of vegetation that increased the amount of silt in the lake. Deposition of animal debris and detergents are added to the lake because of human and cattle direct contact. The timely decrease in the size might be due to siltation. The community is using the lake only for washing clothes because of its alkalinity and soap nature. They also take bath on the hot spring that immediately comes from the edge of the lake that would eventually contaminate and change the nature of the lake. This study revealed that the community is not using the lake water only for the purpose of sanitation. Several stakeholders have been identified, consulted and participated on restoration of the lake biodiversity.
Highlights
Flamingo Lakes are part of a chain of lakes found on the floor of the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley of Africa [9]
The Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes are alkaline where the pH value ranges from 9 to more than 10, and sodium and sodium bicarbonate compounds are in high concentration [11]
In Ethiopia it is common to find rural households headed by men, if not the female household heads are widows or divorcées
Summary
Flamingo Lakes are part of a chain of lakes found on the floor of the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley of Africa [9]. The most abundant blue-green alga is Spirulina /Arthospira fusiformis/ which is responsible for giving the Flamingo Lakes their characteristic greenish color [7], [3]. Alkaline saline lakes have tremendous potential as a source of harvestable and cultivable algal resources (e.g. Spirulina/Arthrospira) and unique thermophilic microbial communities [8]. Lake Chitu is one of the Ethiopian Rift Valley Flamingo Lakes formed due to volcanic explosion. It is one of the most saline lakes with single dominant species of algae [1]. The study examines major use value of the lake, threats for ecosystem changes and role of key stakeholders for integrated biodiversity in situ conservation. The Specific Objectives were (a) to identify use of the lake for the surrounding community. (b) to evaluate some factors affecting the ecosystem of the lake. (c) to identify major stakeholders towards conservation of the lake and its biodiversity (d) to forward major interventions for sustainable conservation of the lake
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