Threats and Conservation of Lakes in Ethiopia: A Literature Review

Abstract

Ethiopia is home to diverse lakes that provide vital ecological services, yet comprehensive, organized information on these water bodies remains scarce. This review seeks to address this gap by examining the distribution, morphometry, water quality, ecological significance, threats, and conservation efforts associated with Ethiopian lakes, based on a systematic review of 105 documents, including peer-reviewed articles and publications from government and nongovernmental organizations sourced from platforms such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. In Ethiopia, the largest lake covers approximately 3000 km² in area. Many lakes in Ethiopia face growing threats due to land degradation, climate change, overabstraction, hydrological impacts, and land use changes. For instance, the water quality in Lake Ziway is increasingly compromised by year-round irrigation extraction. Lake Abijata has seen a 68% reduction in surface area due to irrigation and soda extraction, while Lake Tana has lost 10% of its surface area due to land use changes. Nutrient pollution remains a significant concern, with high nitrogen and phosphorus levels in Lake Hawassa. Despite the various conservation efforts, the lakes face significant threats from various factors. These challenges highlight the urgent need for an improvement of management strategies to ensure long-term preservation of lake resources.