Natural Resource Management

Factors Influencing Household Participation in a Participatory Forest Management Scheme: Bench- Sheko Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

2025-04-29T12:20:27Z

Factors Influencing Household Participation in a Participatory Forest Management Scheme: Bench- Sheko Zone, Southwest Ethiopia Bakala, Fayera; Asfaw, Milkessa; Tadesse, Biniam This study examines the factors influencing household participation in participatory forest management (PFM) in the Bench-Sheko Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. The study was conducted in two woredas (Gurafarda and Sheko) where PFM has been implemented. Two kebeles where PFM has been implemented were selected from each woreda. For the interview, household heads in the sampled kebeles were stratified based on the membership status into members and nonmembers of PFM. Then, a sample of 408 household heads were interviewed from the selected kebeles. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Access to forest-related extension services, marital status, benefits derived from the forest, understanding PFM goals clearly, access to market information on forest products, and the size of livestock held by household heads had a positive and significant effect on the participation of the household heads in PFM. To achieve the promise of PFM, it is critical to provide forest-related extension services on forest resource management and use that specifically pro- mote PFM, for example, by creating awareness of the economic value and benefits of forests among household heads.

nalysis of Forest Cover Change in the Southwest Ethiopia: Key Drivers, Impacts, and Conservation Implications

2025-04-17T11:00:38Z

nalysis of Forest Cover Change in the Southwest Ethiopia: Key Drivers, Impacts, and Conservation Implications Mulatu, Kassahun Forest cover changes in southwest Ethiopia have signifcant social and environmental implications. Tis study explored the primary drivers and efects of forest cover changes from 1986 to 2019 in the region. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining socioeconomic data, geospatial data, and both global and locally adapted ecosystem services value (ESV) coefcients. Te fndings indicated a signifcant decline in forest cover attributed to its conversion to human-modifed land types, with approximately 87.3 percent of respondents acknowledging this reduction in the study area. Te intricate factors driving forest cover changes include agricultural expansion, population growth, land grabbing, fuelwood collection, and illegal logging, highlighting the necessity for a multifaceted approach to tackle these challenges. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that various sociodemographic factors signifcantly infuenced (p < 0.05) respondents’ perceptions regarding the drivers of forest cover change. Te ESV over three timeframes indicated a decrease from around US$226.75 million to US$172.81 million, equating to a total loss of approximately 23.79%. Te ESV of shrublands fell by 46.35%, wetlands by 32.63%, dense forests by 23.77%, and open forests by 17.29% during the evaluation period. In contrast, cropland rose by 38.06% and agroforestry by 20.03%. Signifcant ecosystem services, like water supply and disturbance regulation, faced reductions of over 30%. Correlation analysis reveals that forest conservation strategies are linked to the drivers of deforestation, suggesting that integrated approaches can mitigate deforestation and promote sustainable resource management. Positive attitudes toward aforestation, enhanced enforcement, community forest management, and improved agricultural practices highlight opportunities for collaborative conservation eforts. Achieving sustainable conservation requires increased community engagement and governance, along with compre- hensive policies to address changes in forest cover and their impacts on ecosystem services.

Towards Climate-Smart Agriculture: Strategies for Sustainable Agricultural Production, Food Security, and Greenhouse Gas Reduction

2025-04-17T10:39:34Z

Towards Climate-Smart Agriculture: Strategies for Sustainable Agricultural Production, Food Security, and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Tilahun Getnet, Girma Without transformative adaptation strategies, the impact of climate change is projected to reduce global crop yields and increase food insecurity, while rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions further exacerbate the crisis. While agriculture is a major contributor to climate change through unsustainable practices, it also offers significant opportunities to mitigate these emissions through the adoption of sustainable practices. This review examines climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a key strategy for enhancing crop productivity, building climate resilience, and reducing GHG emissions, while emphasizing the need for strategic interventions to accelerate its large-scale implementation for improved food security. The analysis revealed that while nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has improved in developed countries, the global NUE remains at 55.47%, emphasizing the need for preci- sion nutrient management and integrated soil fertility strategies to enhance productivity and minimize environmental impacts. With 40% of the world’s agricultural land already degraded, sustainability alone is insufficient, necessitating a shift toward regenerative agri- cultural practices to restore degraded soil and water by improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing carbon sequestration, thus ensuring long-term agricultural resilience. CSA practices, including precision agriculture, regenerative agriculture, biochar application, and agroforestry, improve soil health, enhance food security, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, result variability highlights the need for site-specific strategies to optimize benefits. Integrating multiple CSA practices enhances soil health and productivity more effectively than implementing a single practice alone. Widespread adoption faces socio-economic and technological barriers, requiring supportive policies, financial incentives, and capacity-building initiatives. By adopting climate-smart technolo- gies, agriculture can transition toward sustainability, securing global food systems while addressing climate challenges.

Assessment of Livelihood Alternatives/Improvement Options for Forest Conservation in the Intervention Areas of the Project

2024-11-27T11:05:37Z

Assessment of Livelihood Alternatives/Improvement Options for Forest Conservation in the Intervention Areas of the Project Asres, Abyot; Bakala, Fayera; Chekole, Ephrem; Tesfaye, Biniam This assessment was conducted in three targeted woredas of Bench Sheko Zone namely; Guraferda, Semen Bench, and Sheybench woredas to identify alternative livelihood options/improvements that reduce pressures on the forest and further encourage the co-existence of a rural community with forest. The study was conducted in 11 kebeles from three woredas of the project target area using in-depth-discussion conducted with experts of various sectors and community representatives and PFM leaders. In addition, key informant interview was also held with experienced and knowledgeable individuals regarding the livelihood activities and forest conservation of the area. Particularly, the assessment of existing livelihood activities and improvement/alternatives of rural communities reported in this document represents the situations of targeted kebeles of the project only. The finding of this assessment revealed that though the agroecology of the three target woredas is different; almost the livelihood activity of rural households share common characteristics. The local community in the project area dominantly relies on crop production and other livelihood activities such as livestock rearing; beekeeping, timber/charcoal/firewood selling, small trade, and fruit and vegetable production are also reported. Almost all rural households in the project area use the forest as a source of wood for energy, timber, and other construction materials. The activities impose pressure on forest resources directly or indirectly. The traditional way of crop production is reported as the main cause of deforestation and forest degradation in the project area. The role of timber production and firewood collection in forest degradation is also not insignificant. Even though beekeeping and agroforestry-related activities have the potential to increase the co-existence of human beings with trees, due to traditional practices, the livelihood is not contributing to the forest conservation they deserve. This calls for urgent livelihood improvements/alternatives that minimize anthropogenic pressures on forest resources in a sustainable manner. Thus,improving the traditional practices of crop production, livestock production, and beekeeping as well as the use of alternative energy sources to firewood and charcoal, the establishment of private woodlots, expansion of PFM cooperatives, increasing saving culture of the rural community are identified as livelihood alternatives/ improvement options that minimize negatives impacts of human activities on forest resources of the project target areas. However, in the implementation of these livelihood improvements; lack of technical trainings, awareness, capital and material may be the bottlenecks. Thus, the implementers and its stakeholders have to devise strategies to address these challenges to successfully achieve the intended objectives of the project.