Landscape research in Ethiopia: misunderstood or lost synergy?
Zbelo Tesfamariam A B F , Jan Nyssen A , Jean Poesen E , Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes B , Kelemework Tafere C , Amanuel Zenebe D , Seppe Deckers E and Veerle Van Eetvelde A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Geography, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S8), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
B Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
C Department of Sociology, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
D Department of Land Resource Management and Protection, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
E Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.
F Corresponding author. Email: Welemaram@ugent.be
The Rangeland Journal 41(2) 109-124 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ18060
Submitted: 14 May 2018 Accepted: 18 January 2019 Published: 21 March 2019
Abstract
A full understanding of the concept of landscape plays a paramount role in sustainable management of natural resources and an increase of landscape studies. However, little is known about the concept of landscape, landscape research and its application in Ethiopia. Hence, the overall objective of this paper is to explore the concept of landscape and review available literatures on landscape research in Ethiopia and to identify research gaps. A questionnaire (n = 30) was administered to explore the concept of landscape. A systematic review of available studies on landscape and related concepts has also been made. Out of the 398 papers in which the terms ‘landscape’ and ‘Ethiopia’ appeared in the title, keywords or abstract, 26 papers, having 10 or more keywords related to landscape research were included in this in-depth review. An exploratory study of art and media has been made to examine the perception of artists on landscapes. The results of the study show that the perception of Ethiopian artists on landscape is highly associated with concept of the landscape.
The findings of the survey also reveal that the meaning of the term landscape differs semantically. The findings of the review also indicate that landscape studies carried out in Ethiopia do not fully cover the holistic concept of landscape; as they mostly focus more on physical features of the landscape. Moreover, the interdisciplinary approach that integrates landscape ecology, perception and history, which is important for understanding landscapes and landscape changes, is also lacking. Generally, the concept of landscape seems to be misconceived in most studies undertaken in Ethiopia, mainly because it is interchangeably used with land use and land cover. Hence, there is a need for a better understanding of the concept of landscape and the applications of a holistic landscape approach.
Additional keywords: Amharic language, holistic, land cover, land use, perception, Tigrigna language.
References
Abate, T., and Angassa, A. (2016). Conversion of savanna rangelands to bush dominated landscape in Borana, Southern Ethiopia. Ecological Processes 5, 6.| Conversion of savanna rangelands to bush dominated landscape in Borana, Southern Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27570724PubMed |
Aerts, R., Van Overtveld, K., Haile, M., Hermy, M., Deckers, J., and Muys, B. (2006). Species composition and diversity of small Afromontane forest fragments in northern Ethiopia. Plant Ecology 187, 127–142.
| Species composition and diversity of small Afromontane forest fragments in northern Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Aerts, R., Van Overtveld, K., November, E., Wassie, A., Abiyu, A., Demissew, S., Daye, D. D., Giday, K., Haile, M., and Tewoldeberhan, S. (2016). Conservation of the Ethiopian church forests: threats, opportunities and implications for their management. The Science of the Total Environment 551–552, 404–414.
| Conservation of the Ethiopian church forests: threats, opportunities and implications for their management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26881731PubMed |
Alfrey, N., Daniels, S., and Sleeman, J. (2012). To the Ends of the Earth: Art & Environment. Tate Papers no. 17, Spring 2012. Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/research/publications/tate-papers/17/to-the-ends-of-the-earth-art-and-environment
Antrop, M. (2000). Geography and landscape science. Belgian Journal of Geography. Belgeo Spl Issue: 29th International Geographical Congress , 9–36.
Antrop, M. (2013). A brief history of landscape research. In: ‘The Routledge Companion to Landscape Studies’. pp. 12–22. (Routledge: London.)
Antrop, M., and Van Eetvelde, V. (2000). Holistic aspects of suburban landscapes: visual image interpretation and landscape metrics. Landscape and Urban Planning 50, 43–58.
| Holistic aspects of suburban landscapes: visual image interpretation and landscape metrics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Antrop, M., and Van Eetvelde, V. (2017). ‘Landscape Perspectives: The Holistic Nature of Landscape.’ (Springer.)
Antrop, M., Van Eetvelde, V., Belayew, D., Droeven, E., Kummert, M., and Feltz, C. (2004). Landscape research in Belgium. Belgian Journal of Geography. Belgeo Spl Issue: 29th International Geographical Congress , 209–222.
Appleton, J. (1990). ‘The Symbolism of Habitat: An Interpretation of Landscape in the Arts.’ (University of Washington Press: Seattle.)
Assefa, E., and Bork, H.-R. (2016). Dynamics and driving forces of agricultural landscapes in Southern Ethiopia – a case study of the Chencha and Arbaminch areas. Journal of Land Use Science 11, 278–293.
Ayele, G. T., Demessie, S. S., Mengistu, K. T., Tilahun, S. A., and Melesse, A. M. (2016). Multitemporal land use/land cover change detection for the Batena Watershed, Rift Valley Lakes Basin, Ethiopia. In: ‘Landscape Dynamics, Soils and Hydrological Processes in Varied Climates’. (Springer.)
Ayele, G. T., Teshale, E. Z., Yu, B., Rutherfurd, I. D., and Jeong, J. (2017). Streamflow and sediment yield prediction for watershed prioritization in the Upper Blue Nile River Basin, Ethiopia. Water 9, 782.
| Streamflow and sediment yield prediction for watershed prioritization in the Upper Blue Nile River Basin, Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bender, M., and Cooper, R. (1976). Language in Ethiopia: Implications of a survey for sociolinguistic theory and method. 75, 191.
Berihu, T., Girmay, G., Sebhatleab, M., Berhane, E., Zenebe, A., and Sigua, G. C. (2017). Soil carbon and nitrogen losses following deforestation in Ethiopia. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 37, 1.
| Soil carbon and nitrogen losses following deforestation in Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Billi, P. (2015). ‘Landscapes and Landforms of Ethiopia.’ (Springer: The Netherlands.)
Bilotta, G. S., Milner, A. M., and Boyd, I. (2014). On the use of systematic reviews to inform environmental policies. Environmental Science & Policy 42, 67–77.
| On the use of systematic reviews to inform environmental policies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bürgi, M., and Russell, E. W. B. (2001). Integrative methods to study landscape changes. Land Use Policy 18, 9–16.
| Integrative methods to study landscape changes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cosgrove, D. (2003). ‘Landscape and the European Sense of Sight-eyeing Nature. Handbook of Cultural Geography.’ pp. 249–268. (SAGE Publishing.)
Council of Europe (2000). European landscape convention. Report and Convention. Available at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/landscape/the-european-landscape-convention.
Cronin, P., Ryan, F., and Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: a step-by-step approach. British Journal of Nursing 17, 38–43.
| Undertaking a literature review: a step-by-step approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18399395PubMed |
Eggen, M., Ozdogan, M., Zaitchik, B. F., and Simane, B. (2016). Land over classification in complex and fragmented agricultural landscapes of the Ethiopian highlands. Remote Sensing 8, 1020.
| Land over classification in complex and fragmented agricultural landscapes of the Ethiopian highlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Engelen, D., Lemessa, D., Şekercioğlu, Ç. H., and Hylander, K. (2017). Similar bird communities in homegardens at different distances from Afromontane forests. Bird Conservation International 27, 83–95.
| Similar bird communities in homegardens at different distances from Afromontane forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Epple, S., and Thubauville, S. (2012). Cultural diversity in Ethiopia between appreciation and suppression. Paideuma 58, 153–165.
Evans, I. S. (2012). Geomorphometry and landform mapping. What is a landform? Geomorpholoy 137, 94–106.
Fagerholm, N. (2012). Community inhabitants’ values and benefits in dynamic tropical forest landscapes – participation and spatial analysis in landscape knowledge integration. Annales Universitatis Turkuensis A II, 272.
Ferro-Vázquez, C., Lang, C., Kaal, J., and Stump, D. (2017). When is a terrace not a terrace? The importance of understanding landscape evolution in studies of terraced agriculture. Journal of Environmental Management 202, 500–513.
| When is a terrace not a terrace? The importance of understanding landscape evolution in studies of terraced agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28139267PubMed |
Forman, R. T., and Godron, M. (1986). ‘Landscape Ecology.’ (John Wiley & Sons: New York.)
Gebremicael, T. G., Mohamed, Y. A., van Der Zaag, P., and Hagos, E. Y. (2017). Quantifying longitudinal land use change from land degradation to rehabilitation in the headwaters of Tekeze-Atbara Basin, Ethiopia. The Science of the Total Environment 622–623, 1581–1589.
| 29055579PubMed |
Gehring, K., and Kahsaka, R. (2007). ‘Landscape’ in the Japanese language: Conceptual differences and implications for landscape research. Landscape Research 32, 273–283.
| ‘Landscape’ in the Japanese language: Conceptual differences and implications for landscape research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gessesse, B., Bewket, W., and Bräuning, A. (2016). Determinants of farmers’ tree-planting investment decisions as a degraded landscape management strategy in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Solid Earth 7, 639–650.
| Determinants of farmers’ tree-planting investment decisions as a degraded landscape management strategy in the central highlands of Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Getachew, A., and Derib, A. (2006). Language policy in Ethiopia: history and current trends. Ethiopian Journal of Education and Sciences 2, .
Grant, M. J., and Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Information and Libraries Journal 26, 91–108.
| A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19490148PubMed |
Haile, G., Lemenih, M., Senbeta, F., and Itanna, F. (2017). Plant diversity and determinant factors across smallholder agricultural management units in Central Ethiopia. Agroforestry Systems 91, 677–695.
| Plant diversity and determinant factors across smallholder agricultural management units in Central Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hailu, B. T., Maeda, E. E., Heiskanen, J., and Pellikka, P. (2015). Reconstructing pre-agricultural expansion vegetation cover of Ethiopia. Applied Geography 62, 357–365.
| Reconstructing pre-agricultural expansion vegetation cover of Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hess, D., and Tasa, D. (2011). ‘McKnight’s Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation.’ (Prentice Hall.)
Hudson, G. (1999). Linguistic analysis of the 1994 Ethiopian census. Northeast African Studies 6, 89–107.
| Linguistic analysis of the 1994 Ethiopian census.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22039640PubMed |
Jara, T., Hylander, K., and Nemomissa, S. (2017). Tree diversity across different tropical agricultural land use types. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 240, 92–100.
| Tree diversity across different tropical agricultural land use types.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jóhannesdóttir, G. R. (2016). Landscape and aesthetic values: not only in the eye of the beholder. In: ‘Conversations with Landscape’. (Routledge: London.)
Jones, M. (2003). The concept of cultural landscape: discourse and narratives. In: ‘Landscape Interfaces’. (Springer.)
Jones, M., and Stenseke, M. (2011). ‘The European Landscape Convention: Challenges of Participation.’ (Springer.)
Käyhkö, N., and Skånes, H. (2006). Change trajectories and key biotopes – Assessing landscape dynamics and sustainability. Landscape and Urban Planning 75, 300–321.
| Change trajectories and key biotopes – Assessing landscape dynamics and sustainability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Keisteri, T. (1990). The study of changes in cultural landscapes. Fennia 168, 31–115.
Kennedy, R. E., Townsend, P. A., Gross, J. E., Cohen, W. B., Bolstad, P., Wang, Y., and Adams, P. (2009). Remote sensing change detection tools for natural resource managers: understanding concepts and tradeoffs in the design of landscape monitoring projects. Remote Sensing of Environment 113, 1382–1396.
| Remote sensing change detection tools for natural resource managers: understanding concepts and tradeoffs in the design of landscape monitoring projects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kidane, Y., Stahlmann, R., and Beierkuhnlein, C. (2012). Vegetation dynamics, and land use and land cover change in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 184, 7473–7489.
| Vegetation dynamics, and land use and land cover change in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22278677PubMed |
Lambin, E. F., Geist, H. J., and Lepers, E. (2003). Dynamics of land-use and land-cover change in tropical regions. Annual Review of Environment and Resources 28, 205–241.
| Dynamics of land-use and land-cover change in tropical regions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lohbeck, M., Winowiecki, L., Aynekulu, E., Okia, C., and Vågen, T. G. (2018). Trait‐based approaches for guiding the restoration of degraded agricultural landscapes in East Africa. Journal of Applied Ecology 55, 59–68.
| Trait‐based approaches for guiding the restoration of degraded agricultural landscapes in East Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Manacorda, F. (2009). ‘Radical Nature: Art and Architecture for a Changing Planet 1969–2009.’ (Eds F. Manacorda and A. Yedgar.) (Koenig Books: London.)
Mekuria, W., Langan, S., Johnston, R., Belay, B., Amare, D., Gashaw, T., Desta, G., Noble, A., and Wale, A. (2015). Restoring aboveground carbon and biodiversity: A case study from the Nile basin, Ethiopia. Forest Science and Technology 11, 86–96.
| Restoring aboveground carbon and biodiversity: A case study from the Nile basin, Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mels, T., and Setten, G. (2007). Romance, practice and substantiveness: what do landscapes do? Geografiska Annaler. Series B, Human Geography 89, 197–202.
| Romance, practice and substantiveness: what do landscapes do?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mezgebu, A., and Workineh, G. (2017). Changes and drivers of afro-alpine forest ecosystem: future trajectories and management strategies in Bale eco-region, Ethiopia. Ecological Processes 6, 42.
| Changes and drivers of afro-alpine forest ecosystem: future trajectories and management strategies in Bale eco-region, Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mitchell, D. (2003). Cultural landscapes: just landscapes or landscapes of justice? Progress in Human Geography 27, 787–796.
| Cultural landscapes: just landscapes or landscapes of justice?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Munro, R. N., Deckers, J., Haile, M., Grove, A., Poesen, J., and Nyssen, J. (2008). Soil landscapes, land cover change and erosion features of the Central Plateau region of Tigrai, Ethiopia: photo-monitoring with an interval of 30 years. Catena 75, 55–64.
| Soil landscapes, land cover change and erosion features of the Central Plateau region of Tigrai, Ethiopia: photo-monitoring with an interval of 30 years.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Olwig, K. R. (1996). Recovering the substantive nature of landscape. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 86, 630–653.
| Recovering the substantive nature of landscape.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Palmer, F. R. (1958). Comparative statement and Ethiopian semitic. Transactions of the Philological Society 57, 119–143.
| Comparative statement and Ethiopian semitic.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pearson, D. M. (2013). Landscape ecology: its role as a trans-disciplinary science for rangeland sustainability. The Rangeland Journal 35, 363–371.
| Landscape ecology: its role as a trans-disciplinary science for rangeland sustainability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Plieninger, T., and Bieling, C. (2012). ‘Resilience and the Cultural Landscape: Understanding and Managing Change in Human-shaped Environments.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Pocock, J. G. A. (1957). ‘The Ancient Constitution and the Feudal Law.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Rössler, M. (2006). World heritage cultural landscapes: a UNESCO flagship programme 1992–2006. Landscape Research 31, 333–353.
Sauer, C. O. (1925). The morphology of landscape. In: ‘Land and Life’. University of California Publications in Geography, 2; Reprinted in 1974. (Ed. J. Leighly.) pp. 315–350. (University of California Press: Berkeley, CA.)
Schlatter, S. (2014). Landscape painting in ‘Ethiopian Countryside’. Available at: https://stephanieschlatterartblog.com/2013/07/17/painting- of-the-week-ethiopian-countryside (accessed 8 February 2018).
Setten, G. (2001). Farmers, planners and the moral message of landscape and nature. Ethics Place and Environment 4, 220–225.
| Farmers, planners and the moral message of landscape and nature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith, L. (2008). The politics of contemporary language policy in Ethiopia. Journal of Developing Societies 24, 207–243.
| The politics of contemporary language policy in Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sonfist, A. (Ed.) (1983). ‘Art in the Land. A Critical Anthology of Environmental Art.’ (EP Dutton, Inc.: New York.)
Sunderland, T., Abdoulaye, R., Ahammad, R., Asaha, S., Baudron, F., Deakin, E., Duriaux, J.-Y., Eddy, I., Foli, S., and Gumbo, D. (2017). A methodological approach for assessing cross-site landscape change: understanding socio-ecological systems. Forest Policy and Economics 84, 83–91.
| A methodological approach for assessing cross-site landscape change: understanding socio-ecological systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tadesse, G., Zavaleta, E., and Shennan, C. (2014). Effects of land-use changes on woody species distribution and above-ground carbon storage of forest-coffee systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 197, 21–30.
| Effects of land-use changes on woody species distribution and above-ground carbon storage of forest-coffee systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tiki, W., Oba, G., and Tvedt, T. (2011). Human stewardship or ruining cultural landscapes of the ancient Tula wells, southern Ethiopia. The Geographical Journal 177, 62–78.
| Human stewardship or ruining cultural landscapes of the ancient Tula wells, southern Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21560273PubMed |
Tolessa, T., Senbeta, F., and Kidane, M. (2016). Landscape composition and configuration in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Ecology and Evolution 6, 7409–7421.
| Landscape composition and configuration in the central highlands of Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28725408PubMed |
Tolessa, T., Senbeta, F., and Abebe, T. (2017). Land use/land cover analysis and ecosystem services valuation in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods 26, 111–123.
| Land use/land cover analysis and ecosystem services valuation in the central highlands of Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tress, B., and Tress, G. (2001). Capitalising on multiplicity: a transdisciplinary systems approach to landscape research. Landscape and Urban Planning 57, 143–157.
| Capitalising on multiplicity: a transdisciplinary systems approach to landscape research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tress, B., Tress, G., Décamps, H., and D’hauteserre, A.-M. (2001). Bridging human and natural sciences in landscape research. Landscape and Urban Planning 57, 137–141.
| Bridging human and natural sciences in landscape research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
UNESCO (1996). Report of the Expert Meeting on European Cultural Landscapes of Outstanding Universal Value. World Heritage Committee Vienna, 24–9 June 1996.
Van Eetvelde, V., Ramos, I. L., and Bernardo, F. (2016). Valuing landscape identity of local inhabitants through a tourism discourse. In: ‘Landscape Values: Place and Praxis’. (Eds T. Collins, G. Kindermann, C. Newman and N. Cronin.) pp. 375–381. (Co Galway: Galway, Ireland.)
Vicenzotti, V., Jorgensen, A., Qviström, M., and Swaffield, S. (2016). Forty years of landscape research. Landscape Research 41, 388–407.
| Forty years of landscape research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Widgren, M. (2003). ‘Is Landscape History Possible? Or, How Can We Study the Desertion of Farms? The Archaeology and Anthropology of Landscape.’ (Routledge: London.)
Witherick, M., Ross, S., and Small, J. (2001). ‘A Modern Dictionary of Geography.’ (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)
WoldeYohannes, A., Cotter, M., Kelboro, G., and Dessalegn, W. (2018). Land use and land cover changes and their effects on the landscape of Abaya-Chamo Basin, Southern Ethiopia. Land (Basel) 7, 2.
| Land use and land cover changes and their effects on the landscape of Abaya-Chamo Basin, Southern Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhan, J., Deng, X., and Yue, T. (2004). Landscape change detection in Yulin prefecture. Journal of Geographical Sciences 14, 47–55.
| Landscape change detection in Yulin prefecture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zonneveld, I. S. (1995). ‘Land Ecology: An Introduction to Landscape Ecology as a Base for Land Evaluation, Land Management and Conservation.’ (SPB Academic Publishing: The Hague.)
