ABSTRACT

This book provides a comprehensive examination of water resource management in the Omo-Turkana Basin, linking together biophysical, socioeconomic, policy, institutional and governance issues in a solutions-oriented manner.

The Omo-Turkana Basin is one of the most important lake basins in Africa, and despite the likely transboundary impacts associated with the management of dams, it is the largest lake basin in Africa without a cooperative water agreement. This volume provides a foundation for integrated decision-making in the management of development in the Lake Turkana Basin. Chapters cover water-related conditions, hydropower, agriculture, ecosystems, resilience and transboundary governance. The final chapter proposes ways forward in light of the potential benefits that can be achieved through cooperation, and practical realities that cooperation is slow and may take time to achieve.

This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of water and natural resource management, environmental policy, sustainable development and African studies. It will also be relevant to water management professionals.

chapter 1|10 pages

Introduction

ByJonathan Lautze, Matthew McCartney, Julie Gibson

chapter 2|26 pages

Climate, water and land resources

Diversity, uses and changes
ByStefaan Dondeyne, Gladys Kangi, Ine Rosier, Henok Kassa, Jos Van Orshoven

chapter 3|21 pages

Hydropower development

Economic and environmental benefits and risks
ByMarta Zaniolo, Matteo Giuliani, Amare Bantider, Andrea Castelletti

chapter 4|20 pages

Agriculture, food and nutrition security

ByBancy Mati, Douglas J. Merrey

chapter 5|24 pages

Ecosystem services in changing social-ecological systems

ByFritz Kleinschroth, Wolde Mekuria, Christian Schwatke, Matthew McCartney

chapter 6|21 pages

Resilience dynamics in a rapidly changing social-ecological system

Shifting inequalities in Ethiopia's Lower Omo Valley
ByJennifer Hodbod, Edward G.J. Stevenson, Mercy Fekadu Mulugeta

chapter 7|24 pages

Pathways to enhanced cooperation

ByJulie Gibson, Zeray Yihdego

chapter 8|8 pages

First steps toward cooperative basin management

ByJonathan Lautze, Matthew McCartney, Julie Gibson