Avifauna Loss Driven by Habitat Degradation in Ethiopia

Authors: Kuma T* and Fikadu W

DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000435

Volume 6, Issue 1

Abstract

Biodiversity refers to varieties of taxa in ecosystems. Futile land use could deteriorate environmental quality, and loss of prime agricultural lands, and this, in turn, cause loss of wildlife habitat. Anthropogenic impacts have been bringing a dramatic change to nature due to the growing trends of the human population of the present time which give rise to an increase in the use of natural resources. Ethiopia faces serious environmental challenges including climate change and aspects of ecosystem degradation such as deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and soil fertility decline. Land degradation costs Ethiopia about 4.3 billion dollars per year and deforestation is the main cause of biodiversity loss. Henceforth, this work aimed at reviewing on effects of human-induced factors on biodiversity and conservation challenges in selected National Parks of Ethiopia. The major causes of bird extinction are direct hunting for food and traditional uses and indirect using habitat destruction and climate changes. This work analyzed that there were anthropogenic-induced threats entailing the loss of species and environmental degradation and depletion occur mainly due to anthropogenic impacts as human numbers increase. In a conclusive, effectsdriven human involvement was seen as the major factor impairing the diversity of avifauna in Ethiopia. Research-driven policies fostering the lasting conservation of avifauna are highly needed. The attempts of conserving and maintaining a healthy bird population and their habitats would preserve diverse ecosystem services by benefiting many different living species and finally human well-being.

Keywords: Anthropogenic effects; Avifauna; Biodiversity; Habitat degradation; Threats

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