Three new articles on water infrastructure construction, indigenous settlements, and ecosystem services in the Omo-Turkana basins in Ethiopia and Kenya
Two articles and one book chapter were recently published Fritz Kleinschroth. This work highlight the multiple facets and narratives that emerged during an interdisciplinary reseach on the water-energy-food-nexus. The highly debated construction of hydropower dams and large-scale irrigation projects for sugarcane production in the remote Omo-Turkana region were at the core of this project.
Article #1
In a paper in Human Ecology, Samira Amos, in collaboration with the South Omo Research Center, used remote sensing observations to track the extent and permanence of indigenous settlements over the last 30 years. We found that the remote Omo Delta has gained in importance as a livelihood for traditionally nomadic pastoralists, and that the persistence of their settlements has increased over time, leading to higher vulnerability to changes in water availability.
Article #2
In a highly collaborative paper published in Sustainability Science, we analyze the multiple narratives underlying research and political debates on the direction of development in the Omo-Turkana basins between indigenous rights, economic modernization and nature conservation. We highlight that within African countries, advocacy for conservation and indigenous rights can be perceived as an attempt to conserve Africa as a “living museum”. We highlight pathways forward how collaborative research based on narrative pluralism can avoid such traps.
external page Ecosystem services in changing social-ecological systems
A short summary is published on the blog of TIAS, external page The Integrated Assessment Society
Book Chapter
In a chapter of the edited book "The Omo-Turkana Basin: Cooperation for Sustainable Water Management" we provide a detailed account of ecosystem services across the river basin. Based on satellite observations of the variability in water levels and lake extents, we analyze the changing availability of ecosystem services as part of a dynamic social-ecological system that is under increasing pressure from climatic changes and resource competition.
external page Narratives underlying research in African river basin management