Socioeconomic effects of water hyacinth (Echhornia Crassipes) in Lake Tana, North Western Ethiopia

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237668
• Publication Date: 2020-09-02T17:44:59Z
• Authors: Belachew Getnet E...; Workiyie Worie As...; Ayenew Gezie
• Keywords: Hyacinth

Water hyacinth has been progressively advanced in Lake Tana since 2011 and covered vast areas of the lakeshore. The aim this study was to assess how lakeshore by weed mats affected socioeconomic local community. based on a survey 405 households, 8 group discussions interviews 15 key informants conducted from January March 2018. results revealed that crop production, livestock feed supply, water fishing, health people were impacted negatively infestation hyacinth. range problems caused generally implied real impacts lives communities national economic development. efforts made control costed huge labor financial resources. close 800,000 human dedicated manual removal 2012 2018 above one million USD spent for procurement harvester machines bioagent experiments. In spite devotion spending lot money, expansion not controlled. Poor coordination controlling efforts, dumping harvested dense lakeshore, lack genuine participation are principal factors failure A various stakeholders thus is needed make eradicating methods more effective. Other alternative options should also be considered expansion.