Determinant of Households Participation on Wetland Utilization in the Case of Tinshu Abaya Lake in Silte Zone, Central Ethiopia

Wetlands provide several significant benefits not only to the local community but also to those who reside far away. They are recognized across the world for their crucial role in supporting a diverse range of biodiversity and supplying products and services, as well as key natural resource sources on which rural economies rely. This study was conducted in Silte zone; to identify the determinant of household’s participation in wetland utilization and extent of utilization in the case Lake Tinshu Abaya wetland ecosystem service. A total of 178 sample households were selected from four Kebles adjacent to Lake Tinshu Abaya using a simple random proportional sampling technique. In this study, a cross-sectional research approach was used. Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. Primary data (qualitative and quantitative) was collected using field observations, Focus Group Discussions, questionnaires, and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistical analysis techniques including mean, frequency, and percentages were used to analyze the socio-economic, institution factor, and demographic variables. Econometrics models such as Heckman's two-step sample selection model were used to determine the factors that influence participation in wetland utilization and the extent of wetland utilization. The study result shows that the decision to participate in wetland utilization is significantly influenced by age, family size, education, marital status, annual income, land size, off-farm activity, distance, and livestock number. And the age, family size, education, annual income, land size, off-farm activity, distance, and livestock number significantly determined the extent of wetland utilization. Lake Tnishu Abaya wetland ecosystem provides services like provisioning services, regulating services, supporting services, and cultural services. Wetland-friendly socioeconomic activity operations should designed to safeguard the long-term survival of Lake Tinshu Abaya wetland. The concerned government body should participate in conserving to preserve the sustainability of the wetland ecosystem.