A Biophysical and Economic Assessment of a Community-based Rehabilitated Gully in the Ethiopian Highlands

The study area was located in the Birr watershed of the Blue Nile basin. Gully erosion is a significant problem in the region, reducing agricultural productivity, increasing sediment concentrations, and affecting water quality. The rehabilitation effort began in early 2013, with initial reluctance from farmers due to religious reasons. However, with the aid of local priests and respected elders, community discussions, and a visit to a rehabilitated gully, a consensus was reached to rehabilitate a 0.71-ha upland gully. The rehabilitation measures consisted of regrading the gully head at a 45° slope, constructing low-cost check dams from locally available materials, and planting Pennisetum purpureum grass and Sesbania sesban. The biophysical impacts of the rehabilitation effort were significant. At the end of the first post-implementation rainy season, 2,200 tons of soil was conserved by the constructed check dams and newly planted vegetation, compared with soil losses of 680 and 560 tons in two untreated, nearby gullies. In 2014, an additional 3,100 tons of soil was conserved. The marginal rate of return (MRR) on the gully rehabilitation investment was 2.6 in 2013, based on the value of increased forage production alone. When trapped soil nutrient values were included, the rehabilitation MRR was increased to 10. The economic benefits of the rehabilitation effort were substantial. The increased forage production alone generated a significant return on investment. Additionally, the trapped soil nutrient values further increased the marginal rate of return. The success of the rehabilitation effort was evident in the fact that farmers on their own initiative rehabilitated an additional five gullies in 2014. This community-led approach to gully rehabilitation demonstrates the potential for low-cost, effective solutions to this significant environmental problem. The study highlights the importance of community participation and involvement in gully rehabilitation efforts. By engaging local stakeholders and leveraging their knowledge and resources, the rehabilitation effort was able to achieve significant biophysical and economic impacts. The results of this study have implications for the development of effective gully rehabilitation strategies in the Ethiopian Highlands and other regions facing similar environmental challenges.