May_Hib'o

May Hib'o

May Hib'o

Exclosure for woodland restoration in Ethiopia

May Hib’o is an exclosure located in the Dogu'a Tembien woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia.[1] The exclosure holds a 70-metre long cave.[2]

May Hib’o cave is located near the junction of the two gorges.

Quick Facts Location, Nearest city ...

Environmental characteristics[1]

  • Area: 50 ha
  • Average slope gradient: 35%
  • Aspect: the exclosure is oriented towards the southwest and the north (both sides of a gorge)
  • Minimum altitude: 1896 metres
  • Maximum altitude: 2146 metres
  • Lithology: Antalo Limestone
  • 2017: support by the EthioTrees project

Management

As a general rule, cattle ranging and wood harvesting are not allowed. The grasses are harvested once yearly and taken to the homesteads of the village to feed livestock.[1]

May Hib’o

Benefits for the community

Setting aside such areas fits with the long-term vision of the communities were hiza’iti lands are set aside for use by the future generations. It has also direct benefits for the community:[3]

  • improved ground water availability
  • honey production
  • climate ameliorator (temperature, moisture)
  • the sequestered carbon (in total 85 tonnes per ha, dominantly sequestered in the soil, and additionally in the woody vegetation)[1] is certified using the Plan Vivo voluntary carbon standard,[4] after which carbon credits are sold
  • the revenues are then reinvested in the villages, according to the priorities of the communities; it may be for an additional class in the village school, a water pond, or conservation in the exclosure.[5]

Biodiversity

With vegetation growth, biodiversity in this exclosure hast strongly improved: there is more varied vegetation and wildlife.

References

  1. [1]
    De Deyn, Jonathan (2019). Benefits of reforestation on Carbon storage and water infiltration in the context of climate mitigation in North Ethiopia. Master thesis, Ghent University.
  2. [2]
    Nyssen, Jan; Yonas, Meheretu; Annys, Sofie; Ghebreyohannes, Tesfaalem; Smidt, Wolbert; Welegerima, Kiros; Gebreselassie, Seifu; Sembroni, Andrea; Dramis, Francesco; Ek, Camille; Causer, David (25 January 2020). "The Zeyi Cave Geosite in Northern Ethiopia". Geoheritage. 12 (1): 6. doi:10.1007/s12371-020-00446-7. hdl:2268/266630. ISSN 1867-2485. S2CID 210913903.
  3. [3]
    Jacob, M. and colleagues (2019). Exclosures as Primary Option for Reforestation in Dogu'a Tembien. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains - The Dogu'a Tembien District. SpringerNature. ISBN 978-3-030-04954-6.
  4. [4]
    EthioTrees on Plan Vivo website
  5. [5]
    Reubens, B. and colleagues (2019). Research-based development projects in Dogu'a Tembien. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains - The Dogu'a Tembien District. SpringerNature. ISBN 978-3-030-04954-6.
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