IMPACT OF LAND USE CHANGE AND COMMUNITY PERCEPTION ON WETLANDS IN KORE DISTRICT, ETHIOPIA

Wetlands are crucial ecosystems, which offer indispensible ecological, economic, and social benefits even if they are increasingly affected by alterations in land use and insufficient community involvement. This research investigates the effects of land use change and community perceptions on wetlands within the Kore district of Ethiopia. A mixed approach was used by combining quantitative data from 384 household surveys with qualitative insights from focus group discussions and field observations in two purposively selected kebeles. The result shows as, 77.6% of respondents expressed their concerns regarding the conditions of wetlands, and 62.8% perceived insufficient community’s action in their preservation. Active involvement in wetland conservation efforts was reported by only 20.3% of the households. Furthermore, half of the respondents (49%) indicated a reduction in their landholdings over the preceding decade and a half, thereby intensifying the pressure on wetlands for agricultural and grazing purposes. A significant majority (82%) agreed that expanding cultivation was necessary for family needs, and 73% indicated lack of resources as a barrier to sustainable management. External factors such as weak enforcement of regulations (78%), climate change (73%) and rising demand for agricultural products (62%) were also identified as major drivers of wetland degradations. Community perceptions highlight the importance of wetlands for household resources (88%) and recognize the negative impacts of wetland loss on livelihoods (75%). The study recommends increasing education and awarenesscompaigns, integrating traditional knowledge into management, and enhancing community participation in decision making.<br> 4