Abstract
Wetlands serve as important natural resources and play a major eco-hydrological role in environmental management. However, information about the potential anthropogenic threats to Ethiopian wetlands is lacking; therefore an investigation was conducted to assess the physicochemical and biological characteristics of two Ethiopian wetlands. The results clearly suggest that there is a high level of anthropogenic threats to both the wetlands. The more intense agricultural practices and waste discharge was closely associated with higher phosphate concentration and low level of dissolved oxygen (DO). The biological analysis reveals a notable reduction of the diversity of macroinvertebrates in the downstream direction. Kitto wetland has significantly better MI diversity than Boye (p-value < 0.05). Overall, Boye wetland was relatively more polluted than Kitto due to intensive pollutant input mostly from the Jimma Town as well as intensive agriculture related practices around the Boye wetland excepts downstream site B3 which was furthest away from human activity. Protecting wetlands from anthropogenic threats is one of the major concerns in developing countries. This can be achieved by creating awareness among people by employing appropriate communication strategies about the importance of wetlands. In addition, intensive surveillance and monitoring programmes could pave the way to address the current catastrophe in the near future.