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 exclosure | |
|---|---|
 May Hib’o exclosure | |
  | |
| Location | Amanit municipality, in Dogu’a Tembien district, Ethiopia |
| Nearest city | Hagere Selam |
| Coordinates | 13°31′30″N 39°13′52″E / 13.525°N 39.231°E |
| Area | 50 ha (120 acres) |
| Website | https://ethiotrees.com |
- 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
editAs 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]
Benefits for the community
editSetting 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
editWith vegetation growth, biodiversity in this exclosure hast strongly improved: there is more varied vegetation and wildlife.
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.