Does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems? Evidence from the Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia

Flooding has emerged as a significant concern in the Akaki catchment area of Ethiopia, affecting settlements and properties. Early warning systems (EWSs) are implemented to reduce flood risks, but power dynamics among at-risk communities and stakeholders have raised concerns about the reliable acces...

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Autores principales: Nigussie, Likimyelesh, Bekele, Tilaye Worku, Haile, Alemseged Tamiru, Mdee, A., Nicol, Alan, Cohen, J., Osei-Amponsah, Charity, Tedla, H. Z., Demissie, Kirubel
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Ubiquity Press, Ltd. 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172874
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author Nigussie, Likimyelesh
Bekele, Tilaye Worku
Haile, Alemseged Tamiru
Mdee, A.
Nicol, Alan
Cohen, J.
Osei-Amponsah, Charity
Tedla, H. Z.
Demissie, Kirubel
author_browse Bekele, Tilaye Worku
Cohen, J.
Demissie, Kirubel
Haile, Alemseged Tamiru
Mdee, A.
Nicol, Alan
Nigussie, Likimyelesh
Osei-Amponsah, Charity
Tedla, H. Z.
author_facet Nigussie, Likimyelesh
Bekele, Tilaye Worku
Haile, Alemseged Tamiru
Mdee, A.
Nicol, Alan
Cohen, J.
Osei-Amponsah, Charity
Tedla, H. Z.
Demissie, Kirubel
author_sort Nigussie, Likimyelesh
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Flooding has emerged as a significant concern in the Akaki catchment area of Ethiopia, affecting settlements and properties. Early warning systems (EWSs) are implemented to reduce flood risks, but power dynamics among at-risk communities and stakeholders have raised concerns about the reliable accessibility of warning information. We integrated a citizen science approach into existing flood EWSs to promote inclusivity, local perspectives, and equitable expertise distribution in flood early warning. It draws on primary data collected through diverse methods, alongside an extensive review of documents from the years 2021 to 2022. The analysis of qualitative data indicates the integration of citizen science into a flood EWSs delivers dependable early warning information and encourages the establishment of networks. This approach reduces dependence on external entities, enhances local decision-making capabilities, and promotes a sense of ownership, empowerment, and trust. This can transform the dynamics and responsibilities linked to flood management. However, the longer-term participation of citizen scientists in flood EWSs is challenging due to the disparity between commitment levels and benefits, lack of legal frameworks, and insufficient recognition of community diversity within policy frameworks. The research herein emphasizes the significance of understanding power dynamics and institutional capacities in integrating citizen science into flood EWSs. It offers valuable perspectives for policymakers, practitioners, and communities on participatory governance, social equity, and the resilience of communities in the face of environmental challenges.
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spelling CGSpace1728742025-12-08T10:29:22Z Does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems? Evidence from the Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia Nigussie, Likimyelesh Bekele, Tilaye Worku Haile, Alemseged Tamiru Mdee, A. Nicol, Alan Cohen, J. Osei-Amponsah, Charity Tedla, H. Z. Demissie, Kirubel citizen science early warning systems flooding disaster risk management monitoring stakeholders community involvement decision making policies Flooding has emerged as a significant concern in the Akaki catchment area of Ethiopia, affecting settlements and properties. Early warning systems (EWSs) are implemented to reduce flood risks, but power dynamics among at-risk communities and stakeholders have raised concerns about the reliable accessibility of warning information. We integrated a citizen science approach into existing flood EWSs to promote inclusivity, local perspectives, and equitable expertise distribution in flood early warning. It draws on primary data collected through diverse methods, alongside an extensive review of documents from the years 2021 to 2022. The analysis of qualitative data indicates the integration of citizen science into a flood EWSs delivers dependable early warning information and encourages the establishment of networks. This approach reduces dependence on external entities, enhances local decision-making capabilities, and promotes a sense of ownership, empowerment, and trust. This can transform the dynamics and responsibilities linked to flood management. However, the longer-term participation of citizen scientists in flood EWSs is challenging due to the disparity between commitment levels and benefits, lack of legal frameworks, and insufficient recognition of community diversity within policy frameworks. The research herein emphasizes the significance of understanding power dynamics and institutional capacities in integrating citizen science into flood EWSs. It offers valuable perspectives for policymakers, practitioners, and communities on participatory governance, social equity, and the resilience of communities in the face of environmental challenges. 2025-02-04 2025-02-07T03:47:28Z 2025-02-07T03:47:28Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172874 en Open Access Ubiquity Press, Ltd. Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Bekele, Tilaye Worku; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Mdee, A.; Nicol, Alan; Cohen, J.; Osei-Amponsah, Charity; Tedla, H. Z.; Demissie, Kirubel. 2025. Does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems? Evidence from the Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 10(1):9. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.763]
spellingShingle citizen science
early warning systems
flooding
disaster risk management
monitoring
stakeholders
community involvement
decision making
policies
Nigussie, Likimyelesh
Bekele, Tilaye Worku
Haile, Alemseged Tamiru
Mdee, A.
Nicol, Alan
Cohen, J.
Osei-Amponsah, Charity
Tedla, H. Z.
Demissie, Kirubel
Does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems? Evidence from the Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia
title Does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems? Evidence from the Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia
title_full Does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems? Evidence from the Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia
title_fullStr Does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems? Evidence from the Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems? Evidence from the Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia
title_short Does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems? Evidence from the Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia
title_sort does a citizen science approach enhance the effectiveness of flood early warning systems evidence from the akaki catchment ethiopia
topic citizen science
early warning systems
flooding
disaster risk management
monitoring
stakeholders
community involvement
decision making
policies
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172874
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