Weforest Ethiopia

DRAGON Forests, semi-nomads and highlanders

Project description

desa'a forest - 2018

On the transition between the Ethiopian plateau and the Danakil depression, lies one of the last substantial dry Afromontane forests of Ethiopia: Desa’a forest. Forest restoration efforts span two regions (Tigray and Afar), characterized by entirely different ecological and socio-economic landscapes.

: On the transition between highland and lowland, Desa’a forest harbours populations of the Nubian dragon tree (Dracaena ombet). A once widespread and common desert mountain species, it is now listed Endangered on the IUCN red list.

: The sword-like leaves of the Nubian dragon tree are harvested by local communities to extract fiber.

: The White-bellied go-away-bird is a common species in the acacia savannas of Desa’a forest.

: Livestock plays a key role in the socio-economics of Desa’a forest.

: Socio-economic expert of WeForest, Yemane Gebru, leads a focus group discussion to disentangle the landscape priorities and balance land-use trade-offs in the community.

: Participatory mapping is a key strategy to represent spatial knowledge of local communities and plan future land use in a participatory way.

: Deforestation in the Juniperus and olive dominated Afromontane forests is widespread. Active planting is required to bring back the slow-growing forest.

: In the memory of the local communities, Desa’a forest used to be a cloud forest, supplying rains to their fields. By restoring the forest, the hydrological balance might be repaired.

: This grain, teff, is an essential part of Ethiopian culture! It constitutes the main ingredient for injera, eaten daily by habesha people. Tossing the grain into the air and letting the wind do the separation, is an easy cleaning method.

: Teff is being threshed by using animals walking over the harvest.

: Ethiopian honey. Never will you taste better.

: Fuelwood for cooking drives forest degradation. Innovative cooking methods are needed to reduce its impact.

: This family owns an improved cooking stove: the Ezy woodstove.

: Farmers’ markets are without doubt the most vibrant gatherings in Africa.

: Clusters of domed houses dotting the parched plains. The Afar people lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle at the edge of Desa’a forest.

: WeForest country director Dr. Aklilu Mekuria goes in deep conversation with two Afar boys.

: A solitary Commiphora tree resists the drought in the Afar lowlands. Commiphora trees produce resin, often sold as myrrh.

: Colleagues from project partner ‘Trees for farmers’ test a drone.