Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia

The engagement of communities (non-scientists) in the collection of reliable hydrometeorological data (a citizen science approach) has the potential to address part of the data gaps in Ethiopia. Due to the high cost of establishing and maintaining gauging stations, hydrometeorological monitoring in...

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Autores principales: Nigussie, Likimyelesh, Haile, Alemseged Tamiru, Gowing, J., Walker, D., Parkin, G.
Formato: Artículo preliminar
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Water Management Institute 2020
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/109994
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author Nigussie, Likimyelesh
Haile, Alemseged Tamiru
Gowing, J.
Walker, D.
Parkin, G.
author_browse Gowing, J.
Haile, Alemseged Tamiru
Nigussie, Likimyelesh
Parkin, G.
Walker, D.
author_facet Nigussie, Likimyelesh
Haile, Alemseged Tamiru
Gowing, J.
Walker, D.
Parkin, G.
author_sort Nigussie, Likimyelesh
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The engagement of communities (non-scientists) in the collection of reliable hydrometeorological data (a citizen science approach) has the potential to address part of the data gaps in Ethiopia. Due to the high cost of establishing and maintaining gauging stations, hydrometeorological monitoring in the country tends to focus on large river basins (> 1,000 km2) with little or no consideration of small watersheds (< 100 km2). However, hydrologic data from small watersheds are critical for two main reasons: (i) measure the impacts of watershed management interventions on water resources; and (ii) inform local development plans, such as small- and micro-scale irrigation development. Therefore, this paper examines the institutional arrangements for hydrometeorological monitoring and the practices followed by the Basin Development Authority and National Meteorology Agency in Ethiopia. It is important to investigate the possibilities of embedding a citizen science approach into the data collection systems of these two organizations, as this will help to address data gaps, particularly at micro-watershed levels. Based on the assessments, there is potential to embed the approach into the institutional structure of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) for hydrometeorological monitoring in micro-watersheds, due to the following reasons: (i) MoA has a high demand for hydrometeorological data from small rivers to be used for small- and micro-scale irrigation development, and for measuring the impacts of watershed development interventions on water resources; and (ii) MoA has an institutional structure from federal to community level that supports the engagement of communities in development interventions. However, effectively embedding the citizen science approach into regular monitoring of MoA depends on the clear distribution of mandates; developing legal, ethical, methodological and quality frameworks; and developing clear data sharing and incentive mechanisms involving all partners.
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spelling CGSpace1099942025-11-07T08:06:44Z Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia Nigussie, Likimyelesh Haile, Alemseged Tamiru Gowing, J. Walker, D. Parkin, G. watershed management community involvement citizen science water institutions hydrometeorology weather data climatic data monitoring water resources water management natural resources management water security irrigation management small scale systems sustainability governmental organizations river basin institutions meteorological stations participatory approaches stakeholders data analysis access to information information dissemination The engagement of communities (non-scientists) in the collection of reliable hydrometeorological data (a citizen science approach) has the potential to address part of the data gaps in Ethiopia. Due to the high cost of establishing and maintaining gauging stations, hydrometeorological monitoring in the country tends to focus on large river basins (> 1,000 km2) with little or no consideration of small watersheds (< 100 km2). However, hydrologic data from small watersheds are critical for two main reasons: (i) measure the impacts of watershed management interventions on water resources; and (ii) inform local development plans, such as small- and micro-scale irrigation development. Therefore, this paper examines the institutional arrangements for hydrometeorological monitoring and the practices followed by the Basin Development Authority and National Meteorology Agency in Ethiopia. It is important to investigate the possibilities of embedding a citizen science approach into the data collection systems of these two organizations, as this will help to address data gaps, particularly at micro-watershed levels. Based on the assessments, there is potential to embed the approach into the institutional structure of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) for hydrometeorological monitoring in micro-watersheds, due to the following reasons: (i) MoA has a high demand for hydrometeorological data from small rivers to be used for small- and micro-scale irrigation development, and for measuring the impacts of watershed development interventions on water resources; and (ii) MoA has an institutional structure from federal to community level that supports the engagement of communities in development interventions. However, effectively embedding the citizen science approach into regular monitoring of MoA depends on the clear distribution of mandates; developing legal, ethical, methodological and quality frameworks; and developing clear data sharing and incentive mechanisms involving all partners. 2020 2020-10-27T10:54:26Z 2020-10-27T10:54:26Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/109994 en Open Access application/pdf International Water Management Institute Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Gowing, J.; Walker, D.; Parkin, G. 2020. Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 25p. (IWMI Working Paper 191)
spellingShingle watershed management
community involvement
citizen science
water institutions
hydrometeorology
weather data
climatic data
monitoring
water resources
water management
natural resources management
water security
irrigation management
small scale systems
sustainability
governmental organizations
river basin institutions
meteorological stations
participatory approaches
stakeholders
data analysis
access to information
information dissemination
Nigussie, Likimyelesh
Haile, Alemseged Tamiru
Gowing, J.
Walker, D.
Parkin, G.
Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia
title Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia
title_full Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia
title_fullStr Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia
title_short Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia
title_sort citizen science in community based watershed management an institutional analysis in ethiopia
topic watershed management
community involvement
citizen science
water institutions
hydrometeorology
weather data
climatic data
monitoring
water resources
water management
natural resources management
water security
irrigation management
small scale systems
sustainability
governmental organizations
river basin institutions
meteorological stations
participatory approaches
stakeholders
data analysis
access to information
information dissemination
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/109994
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