Cloud forests at the Kafa Biosphere Reserve - Foto: Bruno D`Amicis
Conservation and sustainable use of the last wild coffee forests of Ethiopia
Ethiopia: A project to preserve biodiversity under climate change
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Wild Arabica coffee from Kafa’s forests - Foto: Bruno D'Amicis
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The Colobus monkey is one of five ape species at the Kafa Biosphere Reserve - Foto: Bruno D’Amicis
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Local communities are actively involved to preserve the environment of Kafa - Foto: Angelika Berndt
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The forests are home to many rare and endangered species - Foto: Tom Kirschey
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Local people are supported to use ecosystem services sustainably - Foto: Angelika Berndt
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Around 300 bird species can be found at the Kafa Biosphere Reserve - Foto: Bruno D'Amicis
The Kafa Biosphere Reserve in the country's southwest (760,000 hectares) is home to one of these last natural forest regions in the country and is remarkable for its species diversity and extensive wetlands and floodplain areas. The area is part of the “Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot” (CI) and a “Key Biodiversity Area” (CEPF).
Life in the forest and in the water
Species recordings have documented around 244 species of plants (e.g. Cyperus latifolius, Anagallis serpens), 300 species of birds and 300 species of mammals in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve. Along with the forests, aquatic habitats are the main suppliers of ecosystem services and used by the local population to produce water, food, animal feed, building materials and to generate income (e.g. medicinal plants, basketwork). Because of its importance for biodiversity and as a catchment area, it has been placed under national protection as a “Regional Forest Priority Area” (RFPA). However, it is particularly noteworthy for being the birthplace of wild Coffea arabica, and centre of its genetic diversity, and therefore a globally significant in situ genomic library. In 2010, the area was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Under NABU's management, it was planned with the support of a German Public-Private Partnership project.
Climate change and overexploitation threaten ecosystems
Studies, however, show that overexploitation and climate change threaten the habitats. If the current rate of deforestation is maintained, significant amounts of carbon dioxide will be released and the forests’ sink function affected. Uncontrolled fragmentation and degradation of the ecosystems would inevitably lead to a loss of habitats for flora and fauna, and as a result impact their soil moisture regime. This is where NABU, supported by the IKI (International Climate Initiative), intends to intervene and work towards protecting and restoring the afromontane cloud forests and wetlands. In this way, the project aims to preserve ecosystem resilience and the unique biodiversity, avoid CO2 emissions and secure ecosystem services for the population.
Valuing biodiversity
Ferns - Foto: Bruno D´Amicis
The new project intends to build on successful programmes from the previous project such as, for example, reforestation, participatory forest management or energy-efficient stoves, and expand them in order to integrate further areas and communities in Kafa. At the same time, it will introduce new components developed to protect the area's unique biodiversity, and strengthen participatory community management and regional development. Offers will include programmes to develop handicrafts, ecotourism and regional products, which will in return attach economic value to the region's biodiversity. Education programmes for children and young people will be developed and implemented in cooperation with experts and spiritual leaders. The project will support the implementation of Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy Strategy, tie climate and biodiversity conservation to regional development, and help the local population to independently ensure the long-term conservation of nature and natural resources. The three-year project has been granted with around 2.4 million Euros in funding by the IKI and was launched on February 1st 2014.
Further information and travel tips on the Kafa biosphere reserve available on www.kafa-biosphere.com and www.international-climate-initiative.com.
project GOALS & Activities
Project goals
The project aims at conserving and restoring afromontane cloud forests and wetlands in order to preserve their ecosystem resilience and unique biodiversity. It also intends to avoid CO2 emissions and secure ecosystem services for the population. more →
Conservation of agrobiodiversity
Agriculture in Ethiopia is the foundation of the country's economy. About 11.7 million households hold account for approximately 95 per cent of the agricultural GDP and the sector counts for 85% of total employment. more →
Renewable energies
Ethiopia currently caters for 96 percent of its energy requirement using biomass. Due to this fact, many households satisfy their demands by collecting wood from the available natural forests which has been identified as a major driver for deforestation. more →
Women development programme
In Kafa Biosphere Reserve natural ecosystems are under pressure due to poverty, the need of natural resources for daily life e.g. for cooking and the lack of understanding of the fragility of ecosystems. more →
Monitoring for conservation
In the past four years a monitoring of forest and carbon has been developed and implemented with the local team of 30 rangers. With the help of smart phones, a near-real time monitoring could be accomplished tracking and following up forest changes. more →
Ecotourism
The Ethiopian government considers tourism as one of the most important future sources of income for the country. The number of international tourists is increasing every year. more →
Reforestation program
Tropical deforestation is one of the main sources of anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions. It accounts for 20 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. About 40 years ago, approximately 40% of the Ethiopian land surface was covered with forest; today, only 3% of that remains. more →
Participatory Forest Management
10,000 hectares of forest in Kafa Biosphere Reserve will be put under a Participatory Forest Management System. By doing so the user rights of the forest will be transferred for 99 years to the local communities and the forest will serve as a long-term source of income through sustainable use. more →
Watershed management
Varied topography and high precipitation rates of about 2,000 mm annually have led to a large diversity of wetlands in the Kafa region, covering an area of 26,832 ha. According to the Kafa Wetland Strategy, these include river edges, peat bogs, extensive floodplains, marshes and swamps as well as riparian forests and forest wetlands. more →
The "Kafa Biodiversity Campaign"
Raising awareness on environmental issues, like the importance of biodiversity and conservation measures and the potential impacts of climate change, is essential for successful and sustainable conservation activities. more →
The ranger programme
A team of 30 rangers is trained and equipped as part of the project and is now patrolling core zones and supporting various project activities such as monitoring and guiding tourists. more →
Project information campaign
Throughout the project duration an extensive information campaign is taking place in order to make the project internationally accessible, to reach a broad public and offer information exchange to other regions. more →
Project milestones
In late 2015, NABU conducted two Biodiversity education camps at two sites of the Kafa Biosphere Reserve and a workshop at the Capital Hotel in Addis Ababa to present milestone results. more →
Our team, Partners & More
Project team
NABU registered in Ethiopia as a non-government organisation (NGO) and set up two project offices, one in Addis Ababa and one in the project area in Bonga. An Ethiopian project team of seven people has been employed and is implementing the project together with the staff from NABU HQ. more →
Project partners and sub-contractors
The project is being implemented by NABU In partnership with the regional and local government and the knowledge and support of local and international experts. The project is financed as part oft the International Climate Initiative (ICI) by the German government. more →
related topics
Biodiversity
Ecosystem functioning needs to be seen as a global task: Therefore NABU is active in biodiversity hotspots and beyond. As part of the BirdLife network bird conservation has a long tradition for us. It’s efforts are directed to the whole biodiversity.
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Climate Change
Climate change and biodiversity loss are the most pressing challenges to humanity and people start to realize they are both sides of the same coin. NABU stands with science. We demand and support all efforts to reach a net-zero-carbon economy globally. more →
Regional Development
NABU is comitted to promoting sustainable regional development worldwide. Our international projects always include income generating activities, which comprehensively address all three dimensions of sustainability—balancing economy, ecology and social equality. more →
Ecosystems
An ecosystem is a complex of living organisms. NABU focuses on restoring ecosystems to their original state and important regulatory functions such as carbon sequestration. Ideally that's done by creating conditions in which the ecosystem can recover on its own. more →