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Climate Change Threats to UNESCO-Designated World Heritage Sites: Empirical Evidence from Konso Cultural Landscape, Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Yimer Mohammed Assen

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Dilla University, Dilla P.O. Box 419, Ethiopia)

  • Abiyot Legesse Kura

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Dilla University, Dilla P.O. Box 419, Ethiopia)

  • Engida Esayas Dube

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Dilla University, Dilla P.O. Box 419, Ethiopia)

  • Girma Kelboro Mensuro

    (Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Genscherallee 3, D-53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • Asebe Regassa Debelo

    (Department of Geography, Zurich University, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Leta Bekele Gure

    (Ethiopian Meteorology Institute, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1090, Ethiopia)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate temperature and rainfall variations and their effects on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Konso cultural landscape, Ethiopia, using dense merged satellite–gauge-station rainfall data (1981–2020) with a spatial resolution of 4 km-by-4 km and observed maximum and min temperature data (1987–2020), together with qualitative data gathered from cultural leaders, local administrators and religious leaders. The Climate Data tool (CDT) software version 8 was used for rainfall- and temperature-data analysis. The results showed that the north and northeastern regions of Konso had significant increases in rainfall. However, it was highly variable and erratic, resulting in extreme droughts and floods. The study confirmed that there were significant ( p < 0.05) increasing trends in the number of days with heavy rainfall, very-heavy rainfall days, and annual total wet-day rainfall (R10 mm, 20 mm, and PRCPTOT). The highest daily minimum temperature, lowest and highest daily maximum-temperature number of warm days and nights, and number of cold days and nights all showed significant rising trends. The increasing trends in rainfall and temperature extremes have resulted in flooding and warming of the study area, respectively. These have led to the destruction of terraces, soil erosion, loss of life and damage of properties, loss of grasses, food insecurity, migration, loss of biodiversity, and commodification of stones. The continuous decline in farmland productivity is affecting the livelihood and traditional ceremonies of the Konso people, which are helpful for the transfer of traditional resource-management knowledge to the next generation. It is therefore necessary to implement local-scale climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in order to safeguard the Konso cultural landscapes as a worldwide cultural asset and to bolster the resilience of smallholder farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Yimer Mohammed Assen & Abiyot Legesse Kura & Engida Esayas Dube & Girma Kelboro Mensuro & Asebe Regassa Debelo & Leta Bekele Gure, 2024. "Climate Change Threats to UNESCO-Designated World Heritage Sites: Empirical Evidence from Konso Cultural Landscape, Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-27, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:19:p:8442-:d:1487731
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gebeyanesh Zerssa & Debela Feyssa & Dong-Gill Kim & Bettina Eichler-Löbermann, 2021. "Challenges of Smallholder Farming in Ethiopia and Opportunities by Adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-26, February.
    2. Gül Aktürk & Ahmadreza Shirvani Dastgerdi, 2021. "Cultural Landscapes under the Threat of Climate Change: A Systematic Study of Barriers to Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-19, September.
    3. Ria Jhoanna C. Ducusin & Maria Victoria O. Espaldon & Carmelita M. Rebancos & Lucille Elna P. Guzman, 2019. "Vulnerability assessment of climate change impacts on a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in the Philippines: the case of Batad Rice Terraces, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 153(3), pages 395-421, April.
    4. Yimer Mohammed & Asnake Yimam & Abiyot Legesse, 2024. "Changes and variability of rainfall amounts and extreme indices in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia," International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 27(1/2), pages 1-22.
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    2. Ahmadreza Shirvani Dastgerdi & Giuseppe De Luca, 2025. "Harmonizing Cultural Landscape with Resilience: Climate Adaptation Strategies in the Arno and Hudson River Basins," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-24, July.

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