Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review

Diriba Megersa; Leta Hailu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11

| Peer-Reviewed

Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review

Diriba Megersa, Leta Hailu

Published in American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 10, Issue 4)

Received: 7 May 2021 Accepted: 6 July 2021 Published: 15 July 2021

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Land degradation due to forest loss is the most challenging problem in sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia. The forest coverage of the country has been declined at an alarming rate. Currently, exclosure practice is part of the community mass mobilization of soil and water conservation program in the country as a means to reverse land degradation problem. The involvement of either of the exclosure intervention methods (passive or active) could enhance plant regeneration (seedlings, saplings, shrubs, under stories, and woody vegetation) including the diversity of all woody species, grass and herbs and biomass carbon stock of the terrestrial ecosystem. It then can control splash erosion by providing sufficient surface cover that reduces the amount and velocity of runoff. Additionally, the exclosure could play a significant role in generating income from non-timber forest product such as bee keeping, fattening by cut and carry feeding system to improve the livelihood of the community. These can be considered as the opportunities to promote the enclosure practice. However, the controversies are the burden of shrinkage and overstocking of livestock on the remaining grazing land, inequitable benefit-sharing for the local communities and unaccountability of exclosure management, monitoring, and lack of the management plan. These are upsetting challenges in the exclosure program of Ethiopia.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11
Page(s)	77-83
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Challenges, Exclosure, Ethiopia, Land Degradation, Opportunities

References

[1]	FAO. 2011. The state of the world’s land and water resources for food and agriculture (SOLAW)—managing systems at risk. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and Earthscan, London.
[2]	H. Hurni, K. Tato, and G. Zeleke (2005) The implications of changes in population, land use, and land management for surface runoff in the upper Nile basin area of Ethiopia. Mountain Research and Development 25 (2): 147-154.
[3]	B. Nedessa, J. Ali, I. Nyborg (2005) Exploring ecological and socio-economic issues for the improvement of area enclosure management. A case study from Ethiopia. DCG report No. 38, 3-30.
[4]	M. M Ayenew and B. Kopainsky (2014) Food insecurity in Ethiopia: population, food production and market. In Proceedings of the 32nd international conference of the system dynamics society, Delft. The Netherlands.
[5]	I. P. O. C Change, (2007) Climate change 2007. The physical science basis. Agenda, 6 (07): 333.
[6]	FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 2010. Global forest resources assessment in: Bahamondez, C., Christophersen, T., Csoka, P., Drichi, P., Filipchuk, A., Gueye, S., Johnson, S., Kajarlainen, T., Kapos, V. and Keenan, R. Global forest resources assessment 2010 main report.
[7]	R. J Keenan, G. A Reams, F. Achard, J. V. de Freitas, A. Grainger, and E. Lindquist, (2015) Dynamics of global forest area: results from the FAO global forest resources assessment. Forest ecology and management, (352): 9-20.
[8]	L. Berry (2003) Land degradation in Ethiopia: Its extent and impact. Commissioned by the GM with WB support, pp 2-7.
[9]	W. Bewket and E. Teferi (2009) Assessment of soil erosion hazard and prioritization for treatment at the watershed level: case study in the Chemoga watershed, Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia. Land degradation & development 20 (6): 609-622.
[10]	M. Lemenih, and H. Kassa (2014) Re-greening Ethiopia: history, challenges and lessons. Forests, 5 (8): 1896-1909.
[11]	S. Grey and K. Joosten (2016) Climate smart initiative: area closure, FAO sub-regional office for Eastern Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[12]	Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). 2016. Sustainable agriculture through watershed management. In natural resource management directorate. The training manual, enclosed and rehabilitated area management-guideline draft, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[13]	W. Mekuria, E. Veldkamp, M. Haile, K. Gebrehiwot, B. Muys, and J Nyssen (2009) Effectiveness of exclosures to control soil erosion and local community’s perception on soil erosion. African journal of agricultural research, 4 (4): 365-377.
[14]	R. Aerts, J. Nyssen and M. Haile (2009) The difference between" exclosures" and" enclosures" in ecology and the environment. Journal of arid environments, 73 (8): 762-763.
[15]	W. Mekuria, J. Barron, M. Dessalegn, Z. Adimassu, T. Amare, and M. Wondie (2017) Exclosures for ecosystem restoration and economic benefits in Ethiopia: a catalogue of management options, international water management institute (IWMI). CGIAR research program on water, land and ecosystems (WLE).
[16]	M. Bekele (2003) Forest property rights, the role of the state, and institutional exigency, (Vol. 409).
[17]	M. Gebresilassie (2013) Forest development endeavors in Tigray region: opportunities, challenges and way forward. In proceedings of the workshop organized by CIFOR Ethiopia office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, (Vol. 29).
[18]	M. Yami, W. Mekuria and M. Hauser (2013) The effectiveness of village bylaws in sustainable management of community-managed exclosures in northern Ethiopia. Sustainability science, 8 (1): 73-86.
[19]	T. Woldemariam (2015) GHG emission assessment guideline volume II: aboveground biomass field guide for baseline survey federal democratic republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Echnoserve consulting.
[20]	T. Mengistu, D. Teketay, H. Hulten, and Y. Yemshaw (2005a) The role of enclosures in the recovery of woody vegetation in degraded dryland hillsides of central and northern Ethiopia. Journal of Arid Environments 60 (2): 259-281.
[21]	S. Mureithi (2012) Effect of enclosures on the restoration of degraded semi-arid rangeland in Lake Baringo Basin, Kenya, Ph. D. thesis.
[22]	W. Mekuria and M. Yami (2013) Changes in woody species composition following establishing exclosures on grazing lands in the lowlands of northern Ethiopia. African journal of environmental science and technology, 7 (1): 30-40.
[23]	T. Gidey and V. Veen (2014) The effect of enclosures in rehabilitating degraded vegetation: a case of Enderta district, northern Ethiopia. Forest research, 3 (4): 12.
[24]	S. Clark, K. Bolt and A. Campbell (2008) Protected areas: an effective tool to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, UK.
[25]	E. Birhane, D. Teketay and P. Barklund (2006) Actual and potential contribution of exclosures to enhance biodiversity of woody species in the drylands of eastern Tigray. Journal of the drylands, 1 (2): 134-147.
[26]	W. Mekuria, E. Veldkamp, H. Mitiku, J. Nyssem, B. Muys, G. Kindeya (2007) Effectiveness of exclosures to restore degraded soils as a result of overgrazing in Tigray, Ethiopia. Journal of arid environments, 69: 270–284.
[27]	D. Teketay, M. Lemenih, T. Bekele, Y. Yemshaw, S. Feleke, W. Tadesse, Y. Moges, T. Hunde, and D. Nigussie (2010) Forest resources and challenges of sustainable forest management and conservation in Ethiopia. Degraded forests in eastern Africa: management and restoration: 19-63.
[28]	E. Birhane, D. Teketay, P. Barklund (2007) Enclosures to enhance woody species diversity in the dry lands of eastern Tigray, Ethiopia. East african journal of sciences, 1: 136-147.
[29]	T. Yayneshet (2011) Restoration of degraded semi-arid communal grazing land vegetation using the exclosure model. International journal of water resources and arid environments, 1 (5): 382-386.
[30]	M. Yami, K. Gebrehiwot, S. Moe, W. Mekuria (2006) Impact of area enclosures on density, diversity, and population structure of woody species: the case of May Ba’ati-DougaTembien, Tigray, Ethiopia. Ethiop J Nat Resource 8 (1): 99–121.
[31]	M. H. Abebe, G. Oba, A. Angassa and R. B Weladji (2006) The role of area enclosures and fallow age in the restoration of plant diversity in northern Ethiopia. African journal of ecology, 44 (4): 507-514.
[32]	W. Mekuria, E. Veldkamp (2012) Restoration of native vegetation following exclosure establishment on communal grazing lands in Tigray, Ethiopia. Appl Veg Sci. 15: 71-83.
[33]	C. B Pandey, K. S. Pandya, D. Pandey and R. B. Sharma (2000) Growth and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa) as affected by Acacia nilotica in a traditional agroforestry system. Tropical ecology, 40 (1): 109-117.
[34]	K. Descheemaeker, B. Muys, J. Nyssen, J. Poesen, D. Raes, M. Haile and J. Deckers, (2006) Litter production and organic matter accumulation in exclosures of the Tigray highlands, Ethiopia. Forest ecology and management, 233 (1): 21-35.
[35]	M. Mekuria, E. Aynekulu (2011) “Exclosure land management for restoration of the soils in degraded communal grazing lands in northern highlands of Ethiopia” Land degradation and development, 2011.
[36]	W. Mekuria 2013. Changes in regulating ecosystem services following establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands in Ethiopia: a synthesis. Journal of ecosystems, June 26.
[37]	O. Salunkhe, P. K Khare, D. R. Gwalwanshi, S. Uniyal (2014) Biomass estimation from herb, shrub and litter component of tropical dry deciduous forest of Madhya Pradesh State of India. The journal of ecology, 109: 358-362.
[38]	W. Mekuria, S. Langan, R. Johnston, B. Belay, D. Amare, T. Gashaw, G. Desta, A. Noble & A. Wale (2015) ‘’Restoring aboveground carbon and biodiversity: a case study from the Nile basin, Ethiopia’’ Forest Science and Technology, DOI: 10.1080/21580103.2014.966862.
[39]	H. Hurni, S. Abate, A. Bantider, B. Debele, E. Ludi, B. Portner, B. Yitaferu, and G. Zeleke (2010) Land degradation and sustainable land management in the highlands of Ethiopia.
[40]	Z. Adimassu, A. Kessler, H. Hngsdijk (2012) Exploring determinants of farmers' investments in land management in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Applied geography, (35): 191-198.
[41]	G. Birhane and K. Mekonen (2009) Estimating soil loss using universal soil loss equation (USLE) for soil conservation planning at Medego watershed, northern Ethiopia. Journal of american science, 5: 58–69.
[42]	F. Yimer, G. Alemu and A. Abdelkadir (2015) Soil property variations in relation to exclosure and open grazing land use types in the central rift-valley area of Ethiopia. environmental systems research, 4 (1): 17.
[43]	J. Nyssen, W. Clymans, J. Poesen, I. Vandecasteele, S. De Baets, N. Haregeweyn, J. Naudts, A. Hadera, J. Moeyersons, M. Haile (2009) How soil conservation affects the catchment sediment budget–a comprehensive study in the north Ethiopian highlands. Earth surface processes and landforms, 34: 1216-1233.
[44]	H. Mitiku, K. Herweg, B. Stillhardt (2006) Sustainable land management: a new approach to soil and water conservation in Ethiopia. Centre for development and environment (CDE) and NCCR North-South, University of Bern, Switzerland. DOI: 10.7892/boris.19217.
[45]	M. Tefera, T. Demel, H. Håkan, Y. Yonas (2005) The role of enclosures in the recovery of woody vegetation in degraded dryland hillsides of central and northern Ethiopia. Journal of arid environments 60: 259–281.
[46]	B. Emiru, D. Teketay, and P. Barklund (2006) "Actual and potential contribution of exclosures to enhance biodiversity of woody species in the drylands of Eastern Tigray." Journal of the Drylands 1. 2: 134-147.
[47]	Girmay G, Singh BR, Nyssen J, Borrosen T. 2009. Runoff and sediment associated nutrient losses under different land uses in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Journal of hydrology 376: 70–80.
[48]	Yayneshet, T., Eik, L. O. and Moe, S. R. 2009. The effects of exclosures in restoring degraded semi-arid vegetation in communal grazing lands in northern Ethiopia. Journal of arid environments, 73 (4): 542-549.
[49]	E. Birhane, T. Mengistu, Y. Seyoum, N. Hagazi, L. Putzel, M. M Rannestad and H. Kassa (2017) Exclosures as forest and landscape restoration tools: lessons from Tigray Region, Ethiopia. International forestry review, 19 (4): 37-50.
[50]	A. Regassa, L. Likassa, S. Sebuh, T. Gonfa, T. Tadesse, Y. Moges (2014) Emissions reductions at the landscape level in the Oromia Region, Ethiopia, Ministry of Agriculture Oromia forest and wildlife enterprise Farm Africa / SOS Sahel Ethiopian forest coffee forum.
[51]	A. Berhe (2014) The ecological impacts of exclosures in the highlands of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. M. Sc. Thesis, Mekele University Department of LRMEP.
[52]	G. Mulugeta, M. Achenef (2015) Socio-economic challenges of area exclosure practices: A case of Gonder Zuria Woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia Journal of natural sciences research 5: 13.
[53]	E. Birhane (2002) Actual and potential contributions of enclosures to enhance biodiversity in drylands of eastern Tigray, with particular emphasis on woody plants. M. Sc. Thesis. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Diriba Megersa, Leta Hailu. (2021). Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 10(4), 77-83. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Diriba Megersa; Leta Hailu. Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2021, 10(4), 77-83. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Diriba Megersa, Leta Hailu. Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review. Am J Environ Prot. 2021;10(4):77-83. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11,
  author = {Diriba Megersa and Leta Hailu},
  title = {Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {77-83},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20211004.11},
  abstract = {Land degradation due to forest loss is the most challenging problem in sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia. The forest coverage of the country has been declined at an alarming rate. Currently, exclosure practice is part of the community mass mobilization of soil and water conservation program in the country as a means to reverse land degradation problem. The involvement of either of the exclosure intervention methods (passive or active) could enhance plant regeneration (seedlings, saplings, shrubs, under stories, and woody vegetation) including the diversity of all woody species, grass and herbs and biomass carbon stock of the terrestrial ecosystem. It then can control splash erosion by providing sufficient surface cover that reduces the amount and velocity of runoff. Additionally, the exclosure could play a significant role in generating income from non-timber forest product such as bee keeping, fattening by cut and carry feeding system to improve the livelihood of the community. These can be considered as the opportunities to promote the enclosure practice. However, the controversies are the burden of shrinkage and overstocking of livestock on the remaining grazing land, inequitable benefit-sharing for the local communities and unaccountability of exclosure management, monitoring, and lack of the management plan. These are upsetting challenges in the exclosure program of Ethiopia.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review
AU  - Diriba Megersa
AU  - Leta Hailu
Y1  - 2021/07/15
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 77
EP  - 83
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11
AB  - Land degradation due to forest loss is the most challenging problem in sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia. The forest coverage of the country has been declined at an alarming rate. Currently, exclosure practice is part of the community mass mobilization of soil and water conservation program in the country as a means to reverse land degradation problem. The involvement of either of the exclosure intervention methods (passive or active) could enhance plant regeneration (seedlings, saplings, shrubs, under stories, and woody vegetation) including the diversity of all woody species, grass and herbs and biomass carbon stock of the terrestrial ecosystem. It then can control splash erosion by providing sufficient surface cover that reduces the amount and velocity of runoff. Additionally, the exclosure could play a significant role in generating income from non-timber forest product such as bee keeping, fattening by cut and carry feeding system to improve the livelihood of the community. These can be considered as the opportunities to promote the enclosure practice. However, the controversies are the burden of shrinkage and overstocking of livestock on the remaining grazing land, inequitable benefit-sharing for the local communities and unaccountability of exclosure management, monitoring, and lack of the management plan. These are upsetting challenges in the exclosure program of Ethiopia.
VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Diriba Megersa

Ambo Agricultural Research Center, Ambo, Ethiopia
Leta Hailu

Jimma Agricultural Research Center, Jimma, Ethiopia

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Diriba Megersa, Leta Hailu. (2021). Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 10(4), 77-83. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Diriba Megersa; Leta Hailu. Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2021, 10(4), 77-83. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Diriba Megersa, Leta Hailu. Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review. Am J Environ Prot. 2021;10(4):77-83. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11,
  author = {Diriba Megersa and Leta Hailu},
  title = {Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {77-83},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20211004.11},
  abstract = {Land degradation due to forest loss is the most challenging problem in sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia. The forest coverage of the country has been declined at an alarming rate. Currently, exclosure practice is part of the community mass mobilization of soil and water conservation program in the country as a means to reverse land degradation problem. The involvement of either of the exclosure intervention methods (passive or active) could enhance plant regeneration (seedlings, saplings, shrubs, under stories, and woody vegetation) including the diversity of all woody species, grass and herbs and biomass carbon stock of the terrestrial ecosystem. It then can control splash erosion by providing sufficient surface cover that reduces the amount and velocity of runoff. Additionally, the exclosure could play a significant role in generating income from non-timber forest product such as bee keeping, fattening by cut and carry feeding system to improve the livelihood of the community. These can be considered as the opportunities to promote the enclosure practice. However, the controversies are the burden of shrinkage and overstocking of livestock on the remaining grazing land, inequitable benefit-sharing for the local communities and unaccountability of exclosure management, monitoring, and lack of the management plan. These are upsetting challenges in the exclosure program of Ethiopia.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of Exclosure on Restoration of Degraded Lands and Carbon Stock Enhancement in Ethiopia, a Review
AU  - Diriba Megersa
AU  - Leta Hailu
Y1  - 2021/07/15
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 77
EP  - 83
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20211004.11
AB  - Land degradation due to forest loss is the most challenging problem in sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia. The forest coverage of the country has been declined at an alarming rate. Currently, exclosure practice is part of the community mass mobilization of soil and water conservation program in the country as a means to reverse land degradation problem. The involvement of either of the exclosure intervention methods (passive or active) could enhance plant regeneration (seedlings, saplings, shrubs, under stories, and woody vegetation) including the diversity of all woody species, grass and herbs and biomass carbon stock of the terrestrial ecosystem. It then can control splash erosion by providing sufficient surface cover that reduces the amount and velocity of runoff. Additionally, the exclosure could play a significant role in generating income from non-timber forest product such as bee keeping, fattening by cut and carry feeding system to improve the livelihood of the community. These can be considered as the opportunities to promote the enclosure practice. However, the controversies are the burden of shrinkage and overstocking of livestock on the remaining grazing land, inequitable benefit-sharing for the local communities and unaccountability of exclosure management, monitoring, and lack of the management plan. These are upsetting challenges in the exclosure program of Ethiopia.
VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download