Wolde Mekuria
Biographic Data
| ID | 6538930 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Wolde Mekuria |
| GIVEN NAMES | Wolde |
| FAMILY NAME | Mekuria |
| SIGNATURE | MEKURIA W |
| AFFILIATIONS | International Water Management Institute |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5252-4795 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 3 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2012 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Starting points of agroecological transitions in Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, dominant agricultural models such as the Green Revolution have shown limitations, and agroecology is emerging as an alternative. Yet, empirical evidence remains scarce on who adopts agroecological practices and on what types of farms. A widely accepted narrative suggests that smallholders are more rooted in agroecological systems, while larger, better-endowed farms follow “conventional” models. This paper challenges that du…
Assessing the impact of nature-based solutions on soil health in sub-Saharan Africa through farmer-centred methods
Soils underpin many ecosystem services, including food production, through functions such as organic matter decomposition. These functions are increasingly threatened by soil degradation, especially in climate-vulnerable regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, where unstable soils are prone to severe erosion. As soils continue to degrade, farmers face multiple challenges; they cannot afford accurate tests to assess soil, their livelihoods are constr…
Scenario-Based Land Management Options for the Highlands of Ethiopia
The implementation of locally acceptable land management practices is crucial to improving the livelihoods of local communities and reducing the degradation of ecosystem services. This is particularly important in mountain regions, where steep slopes, fragile soils, high erosion risk, and climate variability intensify land degradation and livelihood shocks, while also influencing downstream water regulation and sediment delivery. This study was c…
System understanding and stakeholder analyses for the vulnerability of small‐scale agricultural producers in the Awash River basin, Ethiopia
As climate change impacts intensify, water‐related problems and the vulnerability of small‐scale agricultural producers are expected to increase, suggesting the need for an inclusive and integrated management of water resources. This requires understanding the system and mapping the stakeholders, among other things. This study was conducted in the Borkena and Mille catchments of the Awash River basin, Ethiopia. It aimed to improve the understandi…
Effects of exclosures on woody species composition and carbon stocks
Effects of exclosures on restoring degraded lands may vary with soil type, exclosure age, and conditions before the establishment of exclosures. Yet, studies investigating the effectiveness of exclosures in restoring degraded lands under different environmental conditions are lacking. This study aims at investigating the changes in woody species richness and diversity, and ecosystem carbon stocks after implementing exclosures in the Central Rift …
Perception of local communities on protected areas
A study targeting the Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of local communities’ opinion on benefits and disbenefits of protected areas and existing benefit-sharing mechanisms and to suggest future research for development direction related to the management of protected areas. Household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were tools used to collect data. The results obtai…
Pesticides as water pollutants and level of risks to environment and people
Perception of communities when managing exclosures as common pool resources in northwestern Ethiopia
Understanding the different perceptions of the local community regarding the use and management of common pool resources, such as exclosures, could better support targeted interventions by government and development partners. Here, we report on a study conducted in the Gomit watershed, northwestern Ethiopia, using a survey and key informant interviews, to examine community perceptions on (a) the biophysical condition (i.e., challenge of land degr…
Stakeholders interest and influence and their interactions in managing natural resources in Lake Hawassa catchment, Ethiopia
This study was conducted in Lake Hawassa catchment, Ethiopia where policy programs are aiming to restore degraded lands with participation of local stakeholders. We assessed the system in relation to natural resource management and degradation using the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) conceptual framework and conducted a stakeholder analysis to understand stakeholder interest, influence and interactions a…
Treatment of organic resources before soil incorporation in semi-arid regions improves resilience to El Niño, and increases crop production and economic returns
The use of limited organic resources to build resilience to drought in semi-arid regions was investigated using systems modelling. The study focused on Halaba in Ethiopia, drawing on biophysical and socio-economic data obtained from a survey of farms before, during and after the 2015/16 El Niño event. Using a simplified weather dataset to remove noise from weather fluctuations, a ten yearly El Niño was demonstrated to cause significant long-term …
Mixed-species allometric equations and estimation of aboveground biomass and carbon stocks in restoring degraded landscape in northern Ethiopia
Accurate biomass estimation is critical to quantify the changes in biomass and carbon stocks following the restoration of degraded landscapes. However, there is lack of site-specific allometric equations for the estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB), which consequently limits our understanding of the contributions of restoration efforts in mitigating climate change. This study was conducted in northwestern Ethiopia to develop a multi-species al…
Planting of Acacia decurrens and Dynamics of Land Cover Change in Fagita Lekoma District in the Northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia
Understanding the magnitude and drivers of land cover change is key to designing effective natural resource management interventions and restoring degraded landscapes. We analyzed land cover change from 1995 to 2015 in Fagita Lekoma District in northwestern Ethiopia using Landsat images and found that forest cover increased by 1.2% per year, while areas covered by cropland decreased by 1% per year. The increase in forest cover is mainly attributa…
Wood Extraction Among the Households of Zege Peninsula, Northern Ethiopia
Willingness and Participation of Local Communities to Manage Communal Grazing Lands in the Lake Tana Biosphere, Ethiopia
Sustainable management of communal grazing lands in Ethiopia is crucial to sustain livestock productivity and reduce land degradation. This study was conducted in Dera district, Ethiopia, to assess local communities’ perceptions of the degradation and their attitudes on the management of communal grazing lands. Household surveys, group discussions, and the contingent valuation method were used to gather data. Results indicated that local communit…
Economic contribution and the potential use of wood charcoal for soil restoration
Wood charcoal production provides affordable energy in many developing countries and has substantially contributed to the economy through the provision of rural incomes. In several countries, charcoal production leads to overexploitation of forests due to inefficiencies in processing. This study was undertaken in central Laos to (1) examine and document traditional charcoal production systems; (2) investigate the production capacity, recovery eff…
The effectiveness of village bylaws in sustainable management of community-managed exclosures in Northern Ethiopia
Willingness and Participation of Local Communities to Manage Communal Grazing Lands in the Lake Tana Biosphere, Ethiopia
Sustainable management of communal grazing lands in Ethiopia is crucial to sustain livestock productivity and reduce land degradation. This study was conducted in Dera district, Ethiopia, to assess local communities’ perceptions of the degradation and their attitudes on the management of communal grazing lands. Household surveys, group discussions, and the contingent valuation method were used to gather data. Results indicated that local communit…
The effectiveness of village bylaws in sustainable management of community-managed exclosures in Northern Ethiopia
Economic contribution and the potential use of wood charcoal for soil restoration
Wood charcoal production provides affordable energy in many developing countries and has substantially contributed to the economy through the provision of rural incomes. In several countries, charcoal production leads to overexploitation of forests due to inefficiencies in processing. This study was undertaken in central Laos to (1) examine and document traditional charcoal production systems; (2) investigate the production capacity, recovery eff…
The effectiveness of village bylaws in sustainable management of community-managed exclosures in Northern Ethiopia
Wood Extraction Among the Households of Zege Peninsula, Northern Ethiopia
Willingness and Participation of Local Communities to Manage Communal Grazing Lands in the Lake Tana Biosphere, Ethiopia
Sustainable management of communal grazing lands in Ethiopia is crucial to sustain livestock productivity and reduce land degradation. This study was conducted in Dera district, Ethiopia, to assess local communities’ perceptions of the degradation and their attitudes on the management of communal grazing lands. Household surveys, group discussions, and the contingent valuation method were used to gather data. Results indicated that local communit…
Mixed-species allometric equations and estimation of aboveground biomass and carbon stocks in restoring degraded landscape in northern Ethiopia
Accurate biomass estimation is critical to quantify the changes in biomass and carbon stocks following the restoration of degraded landscapes. However, there is lack of site-specific allometric equations for the estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB), which consequently limits our understanding of the contributions of restoration efforts in mitigating climate change. This study was conducted in northwestern Ethiopia to develop a multi-species al…
Planting of Acacia decurrens and Dynamics of Land Cover Change in Fagita Lekoma District in the Northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia
Understanding the magnitude and drivers of land cover change is key to designing effective natural resource management interventions and restoring degraded landscapes. We analyzed land cover change from 1995 to 2015 in Fagita Lekoma District in northwestern Ethiopia using Landsat images and found that forest cover increased by 1.2% per year, while areas covered by cropland decreased by 1% per year. The increase in forest cover is mainly attributa…
Treatment of organic resources before soil incorporation in semi-arid regions improves resilience to El Niño, and increases crop production and economic returns
The use of limited organic resources to build resilience to drought in semi-arid regions was investigated using systems modelling. The study focused on Halaba in Ethiopia, drawing on biophysical and socio-economic data obtained from a survey of farms before, during and after the 2015/16 El Niño event. Using a simplified weather dataset to remove noise from weather fluctuations, a ten yearly El Niño was demonstrated to cause significant long-term …
Perception of communities when managing exclosures as common pool resources in northwestern Ethiopia
Understanding the different perceptions of the local community regarding the use and management of common pool resources, such as exclosures, could better support targeted interventions by government and development partners. Here, we report on a study conducted in the Gomit watershed, northwestern Ethiopia, using a survey and key informant interviews, to examine community perceptions on (a) the biophysical condition (i.e., challenge of land degr…
Stakeholders interest and influence and their interactions in managing natural resources in Lake Hawassa catchment, Ethiopia
This study was conducted in Lake Hawassa catchment, Ethiopia where policy programs are aiming to restore degraded lands with participation of local stakeholders. We assessed the system in relation to natural resource management and degradation using the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) conceptual framework and conducted a stakeholder analysis to understand stakeholder interest, influence and interactions a…
Pesticides as water pollutants and level of risks to environment and people
Effects of exclosures on woody species composition and carbon stocks
Effects of exclosures on restoring degraded lands may vary with soil type, exclosure age, and conditions before the establishment of exclosures. Yet, studies investigating the effectiveness of exclosures in restoring degraded lands under different environmental conditions are lacking. This study aims at investigating the changes in woody species richness and diversity, and ecosystem carbon stocks after implementing exclosures in the Central Rift …
Perception of local communities on protected areas
A study targeting the Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of local communities’ opinion on benefits and disbenefits of protected areas and existing benefit-sharing mechanisms and to suggest future research for development direction related to the management of protected areas. Household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were tools used to collect data. The results obtai…
System understanding and stakeholder analyses for the vulnerability of small‐scale agricultural producers in the Awash River basin, Ethiopia
As climate change impacts intensify, water‐related problems and the vulnerability of small‐scale agricultural producers are expected to increase, suggesting the need for an inclusive and integrated management of water resources. This requires understanding the system and mapping the stakeholders, among other things. This study was conducted in the Borkena and Mille catchments of the Awash River basin, Ethiopia. It aimed to improve the understandi…
Starting points of agroecological transitions in Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, dominant agricultural models such as the Green Revolution have shown limitations, and agroecology is emerging as an alternative. Yet, empirical evidence remains scarce on who adopts agroecological practices and on what types of farms. A widely accepted narrative suggests that smallholders are more rooted in agroecological systems, while larger, better-endowed farms follow “conventional” models. This paper challenges that du…
Assessing the impact of nature-based solutions on soil health in sub-Saharan Africa through farmer-centred methods
Soils underpin many ecosystem services, including food production, through functions such as organic matter decomposition. These functions are increasingly threatened by soil degradation, especially in climate-vulnerable regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, where unstable soils are prone to severe erosion. As soils continue to degrade, farmers face multiple challenges; they cannot afford accurate tests to assess soil, their livelihoods are constr…
Scenario-Based Land Management Options for the Highlands of Ethiopia
The implementation of locally acceptable land management practices is crucial to improving the livelihoods of local communities and reducing the degradation of ecosystem services. This is particularly important in mountain regions, where steep slopes, fragile soils, high erosion risk, and climate variability intensify land degradation and livelihood shocks, while also influencing downstream water regulation and sediment delivery. This study was c…
Geography (10 works) · Agriculture (9 works) · Ecology (8 works) · Environmental Science (8 works) · Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology (8 works) · Business (7 works) · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management (7 works) · Environmental resource management (7 works) · Political science (6 works) · Economics (5 works)