Biodiversity conservation in ancient
church and monastery yards in Ethiopia
Sacred woodlands
| Introduction | Sacred Woodlands |
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mail:
Pierre Binggeli
EWNHS
P.O. Box 13303
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
This project is funded by the Darwin Initiative
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In the Ethiopian Highlands little natural forest vegetation remains. Islands of woodland vegetation persist around church and monastery yards. These usually occur on the top of hills and are readily observed from a distance. Even recently established churches must have trees on their grounds and these are usually dominated by exotics.
Left:
Debrelibanos is situated on a small plateau overlooking
a deep canyon. All native forest vegetation outside the sacred ground
has been destroyed and eucalypts are now the dominant tree species.
Areas of scrub remain on the more inaccessible slopes.
Right:
The native woodland is dominated by Olea europaea and Juniperus
procera.
Although the stand appears intact, it has been heavily affected by human activities. Due to grazing pressure the woody plant understorey is generally lacking and only limited tree regeneration may be observed. Opuntia sp. from South America are found scattered throughout the woodland.
