Management Practices and Determinants of Fruit Tree-Based Agroforestry Practice in Moret and Jiru District, North Shewa Ethiopia Abere Kibeb, Mekuanent Tebkew Journal of Landscape Ecology Czech Republic, 2026 Fruit tree-based agroforestry practice in Moret and Jiru was developed by the farmers themselves over time. However, their distribution had remained to certain localities. Thus, this research answers determinants of adoption and the management practices of fruit tree-based agroforestry practice in the study area. Therefore, this research aims to (i) assess management practices of FTBAFPs; ii) identify the determinants of smallholder farmers’ adoption of FTBAFPs in the Moret and Jiru District, North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Data were collected in three purposively selected Kebeles using household survey (149 households), key informants (18), focus group discussion (3) and field observation due to the high potential of fruit production and accessibility to data collection. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statics and binary logistic regression methods. The result revealed that common management practices employed by respondents for fruit trees included thinning, hoeing, fencing, pest and disease control, watering, weeding, and fertilizing. However, adoption of FTBAFP was positively and significantly influenced by age (p =0.006), and education (p = 0.004)) at 1 % significance level; landholding (p = 0.017), labour (p = 0.030), and wealth status of households (0.042) at 5 % significance level. Therefore, due emphasis has to be given towards strengthening rural education for adults to increase number of agroforestry adopters by increasing awareness and an appropriate intervention such as variety improvement through research to reduce susceptibility by disease and pest of fruit tree–based agroforestry practice.
Determinants of Household Participation in Nontimber Forest Product Collection in Kalu District, Northeast Ethiopia Hussen Yimer Abate, Abere Kibeb, Mekuanent Tebkew International Journal of Forestry Research, 2026 This study explores household participation in the collection of nontimber forest products (NTFPs) in Kalu district, Northeast Ethiopia, highlighting their critical role in local livelihoods and sustainable forest management. The primary issue is the over‐reliance on and unsustainable harvesting of NTFPs by households, driven by socioeconomic needs and environmental pressures, which risks biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation in Kalu district. To address this, an assessment was conducted to understand household participation and identify the socioeconomic and environmental determinants influencing the collection of NTFPs in Kalu district, Ethiopia. Three kebeles, Ancharo, Keteteya, and Gedero, were purposively selected based on NTFP availability, household dependence, and accessibility. A total of 149 households were randomly sampled proportionally across these kebeles. Data were gathered through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations, and structured household surveys and analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Findings revealed six primary NTFP categories used by households: energy resources, medicinal plants, household utensils, wild edible plants, wild spices, and fodders. Household participation was significantly and positively affected by gender and household size, while distance from forests and markets negatively influenced NTFP collection practices. The research provides insights for sustainable management, policy formulation, and community‐based conservation efforts to balance ecological preservation with socioeconomic development.
NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS AND THEIR INCOME CONTRIBUTIONS TO RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN KALU DISTRICT, NORTHEAST ETHIOPIA Hussen Yimer Abate, Mekuanent Tebkew Journal of Landscape Ecology Czech Republic, 2025 Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are crucial for rural livelihoods either for subsistence or income generation. However, the natural vegetation and forests in the study area have been degraded by human impacts leading to habitat loss. Therefore it is essential to study and document evidence about NTFPs and their value in the study area. The main aim of this study is to assess non-timber forest products and their income contributions in Kalu District, Northeast Ethiopia. Three Kebeles were purposively selected based on NTFP availability, household reliance on NTFP collection and time. A total of 149 sample household respondents were selected using simple random sampling methods from the three Kebeles (Ancharo, Keteteya, and Gedero) in proportionate allocations. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations and structured and semi-structured household interviews. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study identified six major types of NTFPs used by households, namely: energy sources (fuel-wood and charcoal), medicinal plants, household utensils, wild edibles, wild spices, and fodders. The most important NTFPs included honey, fuel wood, charcoal and others (household utensils, edible fruits), contributing 39 %, 31 %, 25 %, and 5 % of forest income, respectively. NTFPs contributed 13.3 % of the total annual household income in the study area. The findings of this study revealed that incomes derived from NTFPs in the study area were relatively low compared to other sources of income. Therefore, polices and strategies aimed at improving the well-being of the local people should pay attention to the contribution of NTFPs to their livelihoods.
The role of agroforestry systems for addressing climate change livelihood vulnerability of farmers of Northwestern Ethiopia Mekuanent Tebkew, Zebene Asfaw, Adefires Worku Heliyon, 2024 -test were run to analyze the data. The findings revealed that households are vulnerable to rising temperatures, rainfall variability, frost, disease and pests, erosion, hailstorms, price hikes, wildlife damage to crops, and health stress. Agroforestry non-practitioners had a higher livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) (0.42 ± 0.081) than practitioners (0.46 ± 0.079). The Livelihood Vulnerability-Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change Index (LVI-IPCC) showed that AF non-practitioners had a higher exposure (0.58), sensitivity (0.54) index, and a lower adaptive capacity index (0.44) than the exposure (0.34), sensitivity (0.38), and adaptive capacity index (0.51) of practitioners. Plant diversity, income level and diversity, livelihood activities, social network, and food security status of farmers were improved by agroforestry. Farmers were therefore less susceptible to adverse climate shocks. Thus, the AF system could be part of future adaptation and resilience programs that provide dependable tools to minimize households' vulnerability to climate shocks. However, management guidelines, such as understanding local ecosystems, setting clear objectives, choosing suitable species, planning for diversity, considering the market, and regular maintenance and monitoring, are needed for agroforestry to improve its contribution.
Management strategies and floristic diversity in agroforestry practices of northwestern Ethiopia Mekuanent Tebkew, Zebene Asfaw, Adefires Worku Heliyon, 2023 Agroforestry has been recognized as an effective circa citum conservation strategy in Ethiopia. Despite progress in the recent past, there has been very little research characterizing the management strategies of farmers for agroforestry practices (AFP) and quantifying their contribution to biodiversity conservation. We (i) characterized the management strategies of farmers for agroforestry practices and (ii) assessed the floristic composition, diversity, and structure of woody species in agroforestry practices in Northwestern Ethiopia. We interviewed farm owners to gather information on the management strategies of agroforestry practices. We also collected biophysical data using quadrats established in 126 fields selected from homegardens (HG), coffee-based (CS), and Rhamnus prinoides (Locally Gesho)-based practices. A total of 83 trees and shrubs (76 % native and 24 % non-native) from 40 families and 47 genera recorded in the study area. The results indicate that AFPs represent diverse vertical and horizontal management strategies, and plant functions, which vary among AFPs and wealth status. The results suggest the potential of agroforestry practices for supporting livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. Farmers' management practices and strategies affect the species diversity of AFPs. The mean height (m), basal area (m2 ha−1), and diameter at breast height (cm) varied among AFPs. The average stem density ha−1 as well as species richness per farm significantly varied among AFPs and wealth status. Richness, Shannon, and Simpson's diversity varied among HGs in the study sites. In the Lay Armachiho district, species richness, Shannon, and Simpson's diversity significantly varied (P < 0.05) among agroforestry practices. Our study suggests management strategies and household wealth status that affect the diversity of woody plants in AFPs should be consider to improve biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes. Since AFPs play a vital role in biodiversity conservation that is part of a bigger conservation strategy, the suggestion of AFPs to apply in Ethiopia is proposed. To advance the overall contribution, further studies on the optimization of technical, socio-economic and environmental (including density and diversity) performance of agroforestry practices is needed.
Impact of forest decentralization on sustainable forest management and livelihoods in East Africa Mekuanent Tebkew, Haimanot B. Atinkut Trees Forests and People, 2022 The paper examines how forest decentralization affects forest management and sustainable livelihoods in East Africa. For this review, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania were chosen as case study nations, and study sites implementing decentralization. We used Google Scholar to find about 280 pieces of peer-reviewed scientific literature. Further, we used the Foucault's approach and the Policy analytical approach (PAA) to distill our review. Finally, we applied assessment indicators: forest conditions, species composition, forest cover, income level, food security status, wealth equality, and equity. Our review of the forest decentralization reforms process based on empowerment and accountability yields the following results: (1) intended to increase efficiency and ecological services are not being implemented properly, (2) forest policy reforms resulted in a net loss of forest area in East Africa, (3) forest status of some forests is stable, and the current decentralization reforms, with the exception of the Duru-Haitemba community-based forest management (Tanzania), do not address the sustainability of the forests. Understandings of the current institutional frameworks and power configurations are insufficient to devolve resources and rights to lower levels of government. This necessitates the development of new viable forest governance systems capable of deviating significantly from established modes of government. Our review suggests that decentralization forest governance and sustainable agricultural resources utilization rely on multilevel institutional architecture, actors’ collaboration at all levels and with regional integration, complement each other to form successful systems within forest landscapes.
Watershed-based soil erosion and sediment yield modeling in the Rib watershed of the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia Berhanu G. Sinshaw, Abreham M. Belete, Belachew M. Mekonen, Tesgaye G. Wubetu, Tegenu L. Anley, Wolelaw D. Alamneh, Haimanot B. Atinkut, Abay A. Gelaye, Tenaw Bilkew, Agumase K. Tefera, Abebe Birara Dessie, Habtamu M. Fenta, Agumas M. Beyene, Belay B. Bizuneh, Habtamu T. Alem, Daniel G. Eshete, Simir B. Atanaw, Mekuanent A. Tebkew, Mengistie Mossie Birhanu Energy Nexus, 2021 Soil erosion is a major environmental problem that degrades topsoil and agricultural land productivity in mountainous areas such as Ethiopia. Soil erosion estimation is critical for the planning of erosion control plans in an agriculture-dependent economy. The current study used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to evaluate the spatial distribution of annual soil loss and sediment yield in the Rib watershed. The main factors affecting soil erosion and sediment yield include vegetation cover, topography, soil, and climate. Soil erosion and sediment yield maps should be produced with these elements in account to describe locations with high soil erosion and sediment yield risks and to ensure improved erosion mitigation strategies in watersheds. The five input parameters were rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length-steepness (LS), cover-management factor (C), and support practice (P). The RUSLE model, when combined with remote sensing technology, has the ability to provide accurate and low-cost erosion and sediment yield risk maps in the Rib watershed. The estimated average annual soil loss was 25.53 t ha−1 yr−1. The soil loss rate was higher in the steeper and topographically dissected part of the watershed. Sediment delivery ratio ranges between 0 and 0.82. The outcome undoubtedly aids in the identification of priority locations for the adoption of sustainable land management and soil erosion mitigation conservation strategies.
