Ziban Dake is an exclosure located in the Dogu'a Tembien woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia.[1]
Environmental characteristics[1]
- 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
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
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]
Biodiversity
With vegetation growth, biodiversity in this enclosure has strongly improved; there is more varied vegetation and wildlife.
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ EthioTrees on Plan Vivo website
- ^ 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.