May Hib'o Explained
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]
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]
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.
External links
Notes and References
- Book: De Deyn . Jonathan . Benefits of reforestation on Carbon storage and water infiltration in the context of climate mitigation in North Ethiopia. Master thesis, Ghent University. 2019.
- Nyssen . Jan . Yonas . Meheretu . Annys . Sofie . Ghebreyohannes . Tesfaalem . Smidt . Wolbert . Welegerima . Kiros . Gebreselassie . Seifu . Sembroni . Andrea . Dramis . Francesco . Ek . Camille . Causer . David . 2020-01-25 . The Zeyi Cave Geosite in Northern Ethiopia . Geoheritage . en . 12 . 1 . 6 . 10.1007/s12371-020-00446-7 . 2268/266630 . 210913903 . 1867-2485. free .
- Book: Jacob . M. and colleagues . Exclosures as Primary Option for Reforestation in Dogu'a Tembien. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains - The Dogu'a Tembien District . 2019 . SpringerNature . 978-3-030-04954-6 .
- https://www.planvivo.org/project-network/ethiotrees-tembien-highlands/ EthioTrees on Plan Vivo website
- Book: Reubens . B. and colleagues . Research-based development projects in Dogu'a Tembien. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains - The Dogu'a Tembien District . 2019 . SpringerNature . 978-3-030-04954-6 .
