Integrated Assessment of the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia: A Review of Hydrological, Ecological, Human Activities Challenges and Opportunities for Habitability

Abstract

The Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia is an ecologically and socioeconomically important region increasingly threatened by environmental degradation driven by unsustainable land and water use, population growth, and climate variability. This review synthesizes existing literature to provide an integrated assessment of hydrological, ecological, and social dimensions in the CRV. The study draws on published data and reports to evaluate water resource depletion, pollution, biodiversity loss, wetland degradation, land use change, and their impacts on livelihoods and habitability. Results indicate that lakes and groundwater resources are under severe stress from agricultural intensification, industrial expansion, and urbanization, leading to declining water availability and deteriorating quality. Land cover change, wetland loss, and deforestation have reduced ecosystem resilience and accelerated biodiversity decline. Governance frameworks remain fragmented and often fail to address the complex interactions between hydrology, ecology, and human activities. The review concludes that adopting a Critical Zone Science (CZS) perspective offers a comprehensive framework for linking land, water, ecological, and social processes, and that integrated land and water management, ecosystem restoration, and climate-resilient strategies are essential to improve sustainability and community well-being.