Forest resource management systems in Ethiopia: Historical perspective

Abstract

The integration of economic development and environmental management has become a major concern for society, businesses and governments, especially during the past century. A desk review was carried out to examine the various forest resource management systems used in Ethiopia over the past half century. Forest resources in Ethiopia have been managed with different intentions and motivations at different times; these management systems can be broadly categorized by prominent resource management paradigms, like frontiers economics, deep ecology, environmental protection, resource management, and eco-development. Three main forest development periods are identified: pre-derge environmental protection, derge regime environmental protection and frontiers economics, and postderge resource management and environmental protection. We suggest that for long-term sustainable forest management to succeed, a combination of resource management and eco-development paradigms should be promoted.

Conversion of natural forests to farmlands and its associated woody species diversity and carbon stocks in a span of 33 years (1984 to 2016): in the case of southwestern Ethiopia

“…The soil samples for %C were air -dried and analyzed using Walkley-Black method 27 . A SOC stock (Mg C ha -1 ) was determined through fixed depth method by multiplying of %C, bulk density (g/cm 3 ), soil organic C fraction (%C) and soil depth (cm)) 25,28 . % 100…”

“…The country's forest land, on the other hand, has been rapidly shrinking over time. From 1990 to 2000, forest losses were estimated to 8.3 million hectares, and from 2000 to 2010, 5.2 million hectares 3 . This day major parts of the remaining natural forests which harbor high biodiversity are located on steep slopes at high altitude and in the remote southern and southwestern parts of the country.…”

Major Constraints of Watershed Management Practices in Ethiopia and Ways Forward

“…Policy is a guiding principle of major goals and activities to specific measures prepared by the governing bodies. Various natural resources and watershed related policies and strategies were prepared by the government in different periods [27,30,47,46]. However, there is still lack of properly implementation of the policy and strategies according to it were instructed on the document at site or lower level of administrations [34,48].…”

Conversion of natural forests to farmlands and its associated woody species diversity and carbon stocks in a span of 33 years (1984 to 2016): in the case of southwestern Ethiopia

“…However, through time to time, there has been a dramatic decline in forested area in the country. Accordingly, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2000 to 2010, forest losses were estimated at 8.3 million ha and 5.2 million ha respectively (Eshetu, 2014). These days major parts of the remaining natural forests which harbor high biodiversity are located on steep slopes at high altitude and in the remote southern and southwestern parts of the country.…”