Publications
Do large dams contribute to the green transition? A systematic review of their hydrogeomorphological impact in Africa. Ghent University
Despite the fact that large dams exert a significant environmental impact on the rivers they impound, a renewed 21st century interest in these hydraulic structures exists, mainly driven by the premise to make the agricultural and energy sectors climate-resilient. This study focuses on the often underexposed large dams in Africa and entails an examination of their spatial distribution and characteristics, and downstream impacts. To this end, we ...
Multi-method monitoring of a failing rock face, Swiss Alps Ghent University
Assessing catchment connectivity dynamics in the Gumara and Rib catchments of the Ethiopian Highland Ghent University
In the past three decades, the Gumara and Rib catchments in the Ethiopian Highland have witnessed substantial changes in sediment dynamics. These changes are primary driven by alterations in land cover and variation in rainfall patterns. Understanding the mechanisms behind these shifts and their implications for environmental sustainability is important. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of water and sediment connectivity in two ...
Tree-based ecosystem services supply and multifunctionality of church forests and their agricultural matrix near Lake Tana, Ethiopia Ghent University KU Leuven
Ecosystem services (ES) are the connection between nature and society, and are essential for the well-being of local communities that depend on them. In Ethiopia, church forests and the surrounding agricultural matrix supply numerous ES. However, the ES delivered by both land use types have not yet been assessed simultaneously. Here we surveyed both church forests and their agricultural matrices, aiming to quantify, compare and unravel the ...
Estimating the runoff response from hillslopes treated with soil and water conservation structures in the semi-arid Ethiopian highlands : is the curve number method applicable? Ghent University KU Leuven
Planning and management of water resources is crucial to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security in drylands. For this, adaptable and reliable runoff prediction models are urgently needed to support water harvesting and irrigation development. In this study we explored the potential of the runoff Curve Number (CN) method to estimate daily surface runoff from representative land use types and management conditions in Tigray ...
Eyes in the sky to the rescue : monitoring the impact of armed conflict on cultivated land using satellite imagery in Tigray, Ethiopia Ghent University
Crop cultivation at wartime : plight and resilience of Tigray’s agrarian society (North Ethiopia) Ghent University
During the 2021 conflict in Tigray (north Ethiopia), crop cultivation has been hampered by warfare. Oxen have been looted and killed, farm inputs and tools destroyed by Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers. Farmers felt vulnerable out in the open with their oxen. To produce, farmers evaluated risks involved with ploughing and organised lookouts. Overall, a large part of the land had been tilled in difficult conditions, and crops sown that require ...
Convective rain over the Ethiopian highlands : orographic driving factors in a convection-permitting climate simulation Ghent University
While the Ethiopian highlands constitute over 90% of the population and total area suitable for agriculture, livelihood of 66% of the population depends on subsistence rainfed agriculture. Small rainfall variability could therefore cause massive economic loss. This work aims at understanding the sub daily distribution of average and extreme summer rain over the Ethiopian highlands using the ALARO-0 regional climate model at convection-permitting ...