Ziban Dake is an exclosure located in the Dogu'a Tembien woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia.[1]

Ziban Dake exclosure
Ziban Dake exclosure
Map showing the location of Ziban Dake exclosure
Map showing the location of Ziban Dake exclosure
LocationWalta (Dogu'a Tembien), Ethiopia
Nearest cityHagere Selam
Coordinates13°30′00″N 39°08′20″E / 13.5°N 39.139°E / 13.5; 39.139
Area300 ha (740 acres)
Websitehttps://ethiotrees.com

Environmental characteristics[1] edit

  • Area: 300 ha
  • Average slope gradient: 43%
  • Aspect: The enclosure is oriented towards the south-southwest.
  • Minimum altitude: 1702 metres
  • Maximum altitude: 1833 metres
  • Lithology: Antalo Limestone, Adigrat Sandstone
  • 2019: support by the EthioTrees project

Management edit

As a general rule, cattle ranging and wood harvesting are not allowed. The grasses are harvested once a year and taken to the homesteads of the village to feed livestock. Field observations showed that some illegal grazing occurred in the enclosure in 2018.[1]

Benefits for the community edit

Setting aside such areas fits with the long-term vision of the communities, where hiza’iti lands are set aside for use by future generations. It also has direct benefits for the community:[2]

  • improved ground water availability
  • honey production
  • incense (oil) production
  • climate ameliorator (temperature, moisture)
  • The sequestered carbon (in total, 34 meter per hour, predominantly sequestered in the soil and additionally in the woody vegetation)[1] is certified using the Plan Vivo voluntary carbon standard,[3] 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, conservation in the exclosures, or a store for incense.[4]
 
Regeneration of vegetation at Ziban Dake

Biodiversity edit

With vegetation growth, biodiversity in this enclosure has strongly improved; there is more varied vegetation and wildlife.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ 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.
  3. ^ EthioTrees on Plan Vivo website
  4. ^ 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.

External links edit