Role of Highland–Lowland Linkage as a Coping Strategy for Global Environmental and Socioeconomic Changes: The Case of Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract

This study in Bale administrative zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia, aimed to investigate the vulnerability of livelihoods of highlanders and lowlanders to global environmental and socioeconomic changes and how highland–lowland linkage could function as a coping strategy. Multistage cluster sampling techniques were employed to select 403 sample respondents from the 2 agroecological regions. The primary data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. The data were analyzed by employing descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions. The results indicated that both the highlanders and lowlanders were vulnerable to stresses, seasonality, and shocks due to natural hazards. The highlanders were vulnerable to crop failure and occasional floods, while the lowlanders were more vulnerable to drought, livestock disease, and conflict. However, they had devised various coping strategies, such as diversifying income sources and increasing mobility. Some of the coping strategies that were adopted necessitated a mutual understanding between the highlanders and lowlanders. Hence, strengthening complementarities between them by broadening their resource base could contribute to building resilient livelihoods for both communities, particularly the highly vulnerable lowlanders.