International Congress 
E&ES > Water 2011 > Programme
Congress Programme
This congress will be a combination of formal indoor sessions with paper and poster presentations and discussions during the field excursions. In order to provide sufficient interaction between the scientists and stakeholders in the field, a balance is strived for between indoor academic sessions and field excursions.
For the in-door symposia, 6 thematic sessions and a stakeholder’s forum are organized spread over 3 days.- Stakeholders Forum on Water
- Soil and Water Conservation
- Water Resources
- Crop Water Productivity
- Livestock Water use and Productivity
- Water and Livelihood
- Aquatic Ecology
- Climate Change Adaptation
Each of the sessions will be introduced by an invited keynote speaker, followed by 5 scientific oral presentations. Simultaneously to each thematic session, poster presentations will be held on each theme. The posters will be introduced formally during a synthetic poster overview in each thematic session. The posters will remain on display for the whole duration of the congress to ensure ample time for interaction during the congress week.
Mid-term congress field day
The idea of this field day is to use the magnificent Ethiopian landscapes as ‘slides’ in support for out-door presentations at the following stops:
- Beles: between Lake Kihen and Agulae: relationship between water quality in the lakes and contrasting land use in the lake catchments
- Tsinkanet lake: long-term aquatic ecology in permanent reservoir lake
- Abraha Atsbaha: geo-hydrology and water use for small-scale irrigation systems in a cuesta in Adigrat sandstone on pre-cambrian complex
During the tour we shall stop for refreshments at the renowned Geralta lodge (www.gheraltalodgetigrai.com)
Stakeholders forum
The last day a stakeholder’s forum will be organized both in English and Tigrinya language. During this half day meeting farmers and their representatives will interact with scientists through simultaneous translation. For the occasion guidelines will be made available to the farmers highlighting practical implications of the 6 research themes discussed during the congress.
Programme
Monday 19 September 2011
Opening of Water 2011 |
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08:30 – 10:00 |
Congress secretariat open for collection of congress bags and congress tags |
10:00 – 10:30 |
Tea/Coffee |
Opening ceremony at Axum Hotel |
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10:30 – 10:50 |
Welcome on behalf of the President of Mekelle University Dr. Kindeya Gebrehiwot Academic Vice President of Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
10:50 – 11:10 |
Opening of the Congress by the Minister of Water Resources, Ethiopia H.E. Ato Alemayehu Tegenu |
11:10 – 11:30 |
Address on behalf of the Belgian Ambassador to Ethiopia Mr. Wouter Detavernier first secretary |
11:30 – 12:15 |
Opening lecture: Water research under the Mesob project at Mekelle University, Ethiopia Prof. Seppe Deckers Catholic University of Leuven |
12:15 – 13:45 |
Lunch break |
| Stakeholders forum in Milano Hotel (Parallel session with the symposium in Axum Hotel) Chair: Dr. Dereje Assefa Co-Chair: Mr. Tom Deckers |
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13:45 – 14:30 |
Keynote: Enhanced scope for sustainable livelihood through effective research-extension linkage in Tigray – the case of Mekelle University as engine for development Dr. Dereje Assefa Research and Extension Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia |
14:30 – 14:45 |
Hydrological investigation of Abraha Atsbaha irrigated area Kassa Amare MU-IUC Partner Programme, Mekelle University – VLIR, Ethiopia |
14:45 – 15:00 |
Contributions of the programmes of soil and water conservation and reforestation to environmental rehabilitation and livelihood improvements in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. A case of the interventions of Relief Society of Tigray (REST) in watershed development from 1993 to 2010 Desta Gebremichael Relief Society of Tigray, Mekelle, Ethiopia |
15:00 – 15:15 |
Lessons learned on Apple cultivation in Tigray Getachew Hruy MU-IUC ‘More Crop per Drop’ project, Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
15:15 – 15:45 |
Tea/Coffee |
15:45 – 17:30 |
Overall discussion with the farmers |
| Symposium at Axum Hotel: Soil and water conservation (Parallel session with the stakeholders forum at Milano Hotel) Chair: Dr. Fassil Kebede Co-Chair: Prof. Dirk Raes |
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13:45 – 14:30 |
Keynote: Conservation agriculture in world perspective Bram Govaerts International Research Institute for the improvement of Maize and Wheat (CIMMYT), Mexico |
14:30 – 14:45 |
Long term impact of conservation agriculture on runoff, soil loss and crop yield on a Vertisol in the northern Ethiopian highlands Tesfay Araya MU-IUC ‘More crop per drop’ project, Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
14:45 – 15:00 |
Effect of organic mulch type and time of application on potato yield, soil moisture and temperature in a contrasting climate gradient in Embu district, Kenya Eva Gacheru Kenya Agricultural Research Laboratories, Nairobi, Kenya |
15:00 – 15:15 |
Competing uses, dynamics and production and utilization constraints of crop residues in East Africa: implications for conservation agriculture Mekonnen Kindu International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
15:15 – 15:45 |
Tea/Coffee |
15:45 – 16:00 |
Evolution of Miraba: an indigenous soil erosion control practice in Usambara Mountains, Tanzania Hildelitha Msita Department of Agriculture Engineering and Land Planning, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania |
16:00 – 16:15 |
Moving soil back up the slopes: a sustainability analysis of a local innovation in the olive orchards of NW Syria Liesbeth Colen Faculty of Economics, K.U.Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium |
16:15 – 16:30 |
Managing competing water users in a small watershed using decision support tools – A case study for Burkina Faso Joost Wellens Regional Directorate of Agricultural Hydraulics and Resources, Bobo Diolasso, Burkina Faso |
16:30 – 16:45 |
Threshold combinations of slope and runon area as a tool in the description of hillslope incisions in the Albertine and the Main Ethiopian Rift Jan Moeyersons Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium |
16:45 – 17:00 |
Adoption of soil and water conservation technologies in the highlands of south western Uganda Mugonola Basil RIPAVIC Project, Busitema University, Uganda |
17:00 – 17:30 |
Synthetic poster presentation of the afternoon session (3’per poster in 2 slides) |
17:30 – 17:45 |
Overall discussion |
17:45 – 19:00 |
Poster cocktail |
Tuesday 20 September 2011
| Symposium : Water resources part I Chair: Dr. Nata Tadesse Co-chair: Dr. Kassa Amare |
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08:30 – 09:15 |
Keynote: Geo-hydrology for development – focus on Ethiopia Kristine Walraevens Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrology, University of Gent, Belgium |
09:15 – 09:30 |
Hydrodynamic response on recharge events in a sloped aquifer in the May Zeg Zeg basin near Hagere Selam (Northern Ethiopia) Marc Van Camp Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrology, University of Gent, Belgium |
09:30 – 09:45 |
Groundwater recharge estimation for Lake Haramaya watershed using groundwater balance approach Abebe Mengistu Haramaya University, Ethiopia |
09:45 – 10:00 |
Model based aquifer characterization and groundwater management in the Raya Valley Abdelwassie Hussien Bushra University of Cagliare, Italy |
10:00 – 10:30 |
Tea/Coffee |
10:30 – 10:45 |
Intra-seasonal river discharge variability in response to rainfall and catchment greenness as detected by hyper-temporal SPOT NDVI image analysis in Geba catchment, Northern Ethiopia Amanuel Zenebe MU-IUC ‘Land management project’, Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
10:45 – 11:00 |
Geological, geophysical and engineering geological investigation of a leaky Micro-dam in the Northern Ethiopia Gebremedhin Berhane Department of Earth Sciences, Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
11:00 – 11:15 |
The nature of CO2-rich groundwater in basalt aquifer (Axum): source and reaction pathways Tewodros Alemayehu Graz University of Technology, Austria |
11:15 – 11:45 |
Synthetic poster presentation of morning symposium (3’ per poster in 2 slides batch I) |
11:45 – 12:15 |
Overall discussion |
12:15 – 13:45 |
Lunch break |
| Symposium: Crop Water Productivity Chair: Dr. Kindeya Gebrehiwot Co-chair: Prof. Jan Nyssen |
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13:45 – 14:30 |
Keynote: Improving crop water productivity in water scarce regions Dirk Raes Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, K.U.leuven University, Belgium |
14:30 – 14:45 |
Yield simulation of barley infested with weeds Berhanu Abrha MU-IUC ‘More Crop per Drop Project’, Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
14:45 – 15:00 |
Crop water productivity and yield under future climatic conditions: an assessment with AquaCrop Eline Vanuytrecht Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, K.U.Leuven University, Belgium |
15:00 – 15:15 |
Impact of soil fertility on yield and water productivity of tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) as simulated by FAO-AquaCrop model Alemtsehay Tsegay MU-IUC ‘More Crop per Drop Project’, Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
15:15 – 15:45 |
Tea/Coffee |
15:45 – 16:00 |
Land suitability investigation for different irrigation methods in Korir watershed, Northern Ethiopia Kassa Teka Belay MU-IUC ‘Land Management Project’, Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
16:00 – 16:15 |
The Importance of Using Historical Natural Resource Data in Modern Land-Use Planning: Examples in Sudan and Ethiopia Neil Munro Old Abbey Associates, Dirleton Scotland, UK, and Khartoum, Sudan |
16:15 – 16:30 |
Effects of abstractions upstream on water security in the Ewaso N’giro catchment, Kenya Jan de Leeuw International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya |
16:30 – 16:45 |
Strategy for apple production in the semi-arid highlands of Ethiopia Tom Deckers Proefcentrum Fruitteelt (PCFruit), Sint-Truiden, Belgium |
16:45 – 17:15 |
Synthetic poster presentation of afternoon symposium (3’ per poster in 2 slides) |
17:15 – 17:30 |
Overall discussion |
17:30 – 19:00 |
Poster cocktail |
N.B.: Joint Steering Committee Meeting for MU-IUC Project Leaders in the evening
Wednesday 21 September 2011
| Symposium : Water resources part II Chair: Dr. Kurkura Kabeto Co-chair: Dr. Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes Tewolde |
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08:30 – 09:15 |
Keynote: Groundwater recharge and groundwater discharge: the importance of speaking the same language Okke Batelaan Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering |
09:15 – 09:30 |
Assessment of variability in stream flow and sediment yields in the upper Rwizi catchment, Lake Victoria Basin, Uganda Joshua Wanyama RIPAVIC project, Makerere University, Uganda |
09:30 – 09:45 |
Hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in Dar es Salaam Quaternary aquifer, Tanzania Yohana Enock Mtoni Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrology, University of Gent, Belgium |
09:45 – 10:00 |
Evaluation of groundwater resource potential of a basement aquifer in Bugesera region (Burundi) Charles Bakundukize Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrology, University of Gent, Belgium |
10:00 – 10:30 |
Tea/Coffee |
10:30 – 10:50 |
Climatic and geological constraints for groundwater recharge in the Volta River Basin in Benin (West Africa) Henri Totin University of Cotonou, Benin |
10:50 – 11:10 |
Hydrogeology of Lambert’s Bay (Western Cape, South-Africa) Kristine Martens Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrology, University of Gent, Belgium |
11:10 – 11:30 |
Integrated water quantity and quality management model for resilient wastewater collection and treatment in Paraguay Guido Wyseure Department of Earth and Environmental Science, K.U.Leuven University |
11:30 – 12:00 |
Synthetic poster presentation of morning symposium (3’ per poster in 2 slides, batch II) |
12:00 – 12:15 |
Overall discussion |
12:15 – 13:45 |
Lunch break |
| Symposium: Water and Livelihood / Livestock water use and productivity Chair: Prof. Seppe Deckers Co-chair: Dr. Gebrehiwot Tadesse |
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13:45 – 14:30 |
Keynote: Investing in rainwater management systems for achieving food security and ecosystems services in crop-livestock systems of the Nile Basin Tilahun Amede International Water Management Institute (IMWI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
14:30 – 14:45 |
Anticipating economic, social and environmental impacts of rainwater management strategies using a multicriteria optimization model: the case of Abay in the Blue Nile Basin Kindie Genet International Water Management Institute (IMWI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
14:45 – 15:00 |
Policy shifts and entitlements in water. A case-study of hand dug wells in Tigray, northern Ethiopia Lutgart Lenaerts Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, K.U.Leuven University, Belgium |
15:00 – 15:15 |
Exploring fish market potential and contribution to rural livelihood in Tigray: challenges and prospects Abebe Ejigu Alemu Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
15:15 – 15:45 |
Tea/Coffee |
15:45 – 16:00 |
An indigenous institution of water management in Konso, Southern Ethiopia Seid Ahmed: Hartha and Ella Arba Minch University, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ethiopia |
16:00 – 16:15 |
A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of ground water irrigation investment in Raya Valley and Kobo Area of Northern Gebrehawaria Gebreegziabher International Water Management Institute (IWMI) |
16:15 – 16:30 |
Livestock development for better water use in the Nile basin Don Peden International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
16:30 – 16:45 |
Farmers, politicians and technocrats: conflict dynamics surrounding water and livelihoods in the upper river Ruizi water catchment Lake Victoria Basin Uganda Alice Nakiyemba Busitema University, Uganda |
16:45 – 17:15 |
Synthetic poster presentation of afternoon symposium (3’ per poster in 2 slides) |
17:15 – 17:30 |
Overall discussion |
17:30 – 19:00 |
Poster cocktail |
Thursday 22 September 2011
Mid Conference Excursion to Gheralta See Excursion Guide for detailed programme |
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Friday 23 September 2011
| Symposium: Climate change adaptation Chair: Prof. Don Peden Co-chair: Dr. Tadesse Dejenie |
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08:30 – 09:15 |
Keynote: Integrated mitigation/adaptation strategies for water related ecosystem services Bart Muys Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, K.U.Leuven University, Belgium |
09:15 – 09:30 |
Evaluation of climate change impact on upper Blue Nile basin reservoirs: case study on Gilgel Abay reservoir Habtom Mulugeta Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia |
09:30 – 09:45 |
Climate change impact assessment on soil water availability and crop yield in Blue Nile Basin Yakob Mohammed Umer Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia |
09:45 – 10:00 |
Perezgrovas: Conservation agriculture as an economically viable alternative for climate change adaptation in Mexico: evidence from the central highlands Ricardo Romero International Research Institute for the Improvement of Maize and Wheat (CIMMYT), Mexico |
10:00 – 10:30 |
Tea/Coffee |
10:30 – 10:45 |
Mainstreaming climate change adaptation in the management of fresh water resources in the Rufij Basin Linda Magesa Nyangubho Nyega University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
10:45 – 11:00 |
Assessing climate change adaptation strategies for small scale, semi-subsistence farming Lieven Claessens International Potato Research Institute (CIP), Nairobi, Kenya |
11:00 – 11:15 |
Adapting to climate change in Bolivian Andean communities depending on tropical glaciers Paula Pacheco Sweet Water Resources Institute, La paz, Bolivia |
11:15 – 11:30 |
Economic Assessment of water storage for adaptation to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa Stefanos Xenarios International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
11:30 – 12:00 |
Synthetic poster presentation of morning symposium (3’ per poster in 2 slides) |
12:00 – 12:15 |
Overall discussion |
12:15 – 13:45 |
Lunch break |
| Symposium: Aquatic Ecology Chair: Dr. Tsehaye Asmelash Co-chair: Dr. Hans Bauer |
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13:45 – 14:30 |
Keynote: Studies of climate change effects on freshwater ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa - a multifaceted and cross-national approach is needed Erik Jeppesen National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Denmark |
14:30 – 14:45 |
Water resource development and ecological impacts in floodplain landscapes Celine Steinfeld University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia |
14:45 – 15:00 |
Spatial and temporal variability of sediment yield of Gilgel Gibe catchment, Southwestern Ethiopia Endalkachew Kissi College of Agriculture, Jimma University, Ethiopia |
15:00 – 15:15 |
Catchment management strongly decreases the sediment transport in rivers – a comprehensive study in May Zeg-zeg (North Ethiopian Highlands) Jan Nyssen Department of Geography, University of Gent, Belgium |
15:15 – 15:45 |
Tea/Coffee |
15:45 – 16:00 |
Temporary ponds – islands in time and space Laboratory of aquatic ecology and Evolutionary Biology Luc Brendonck K.U.Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium |
16:00 – 16:15 |
Lakes and reservoirs in the landscape: from biodiversity patterns to ecosystem services Luc De Meester Laboratory of aquatic ecology and Evolutionary Biology, K.U.Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium |
16:15 – 16:30 |
Cladoceran composition in tropical semi-arid highland reservoirs in Tigray (Northern Ethiopia): a metacommunity perspective applied to young artificial reservoirs Tadesse Dejenie Department of Biology, Mekelle University, Ethiopia |
16:30 – 16:45 |
Overall discussion |
| Closing of Water 2011 |
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17:15 – 17:30 |
Keynote speakers provide for future research and concluding remarks |
17:30 – 17:40 |
Handing over of certificates |
17:40 – 18:00 |
Closing remark by Prof. Marc Vervenne, Honorary President of K.U.Leuven University |
18:00 – 18:20 |
Closing of the congress by the President of Tigray Regional state H.E. Ato Abay Woldu |
19:00 – 21:00 |
Social dinner |
