Identification of driving factors of land, water, energy and food (LWEF) nexus resources: A perspective of environmental degradation in Gidabo Watershed, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

\n In Ethiopia, land, water, energy, and food (LWEF) nexus resources are under pressure, due to population growth, urbanization and economic growth. However, the impact of these factors are less explored at local scale level. As a result, securing nexus resource is becoming a serious challenge. This necessitates identification of driving factors for sustainable utilization of scarce LWEF nexus resources. Our study provides a systemic look at the driving factor indicator that induces nexus resource degradation. We use Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) to develop indicator weight and Path Analysis Model(PAM) to quantitatively estimates the effect of driving factor indicators on LWEF nexus resources. The result indicates that, social (48%), economic (19%) and policy and institutional changes (14%) are the major nexus resource driving factor indicators. The path analysis result indicates that from social driving factor indicators population growth, and consumption patterns have significant direct effect on LWEF nexus with the path coefficient of 0.15 and 0.089, respectively. Similarly, the potential of LWEF nexus resources is also influenced by the institutional and policy change drivers such as outdated legislation and poor institutional structure with the path coefficient of 0.46 and 0.39, respectively. This implies that population growth and consumption pattern are the leading social drivers, while outdated legislation and poor institutional structure are institutional and policies change drivers which have potential impact on LWEF nexus resources degradation. Similarly, other driving factor indicators (environmental, economic and technological) also affect nexus resources with varying amount. The finding of our study show the benefits of managing identified driving factors for the protection of LWEF nexus resources, which have close link with human health and the environment. In order to alleviate the adverse effects of driving factors, all stake holders need to show permanent individual and collective commitment. Furthermore, we underline the necessity of applying LWEF nexus approaches to manage these drivers, and optimize environmental and social outcomes.