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Papers by Sarah Tewolde-Berhan

Climate-smart agriculture: enhancing resilient agricultural systems, landscapes, and livelihoods in Ethiopia and beyond, 2019

Cordia Africana (Lam.), is a deciduous forest tree species which belongs to the Boraginaceae fami... more Cordia Africana (Lam.), is a deciduous forest tree species which belongs to the Boraginaceae family [1, 2]. Cordia Africana (C. Africana), a multipurpose tree, is widespread in almost 17 African countries, mainly in primary or secondary forests and woodlands in West Africa, and it is restricted to montane and submontane habitats [1]. C. Africana have been found to be in those regions with warm climate and high rainfall, but it can also grow in areas with drier climatic conditions through adaptation mechanisms such as leaves shading or closing the stomata in order to minimize its water consumption [2]. The tree is valued for its numerous socio-economic, nutritional, medicinal, ecological, environmental benefits and it is considered to be essential in agro-silvopastoral systems and act as a source of shade to other crops [3]. In Ethiopia, C. Africana (locally known as the ‘Wanza or Awhi’) is a native tree species, widely distributed all over the country. The species is managed through...

Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, 2022

Highlights • Fruit of indigenous tree species varied in macronutrients and mineral contents.• B. ... more Highlights • Fruit of indigenous tree species varied in macronutrients and mineral contents.• B. aegyptiaca, C. africana and Z. spina-christi were good sources of nutrient including minerals.• Site-specific ecological factors determined fruit nutrient and mineral distribution.

Geo-trekking in Ethiopia’s Tropical Mountains, 2019

This book shows that northern Ethiopia has been suffering from severe land degradation for centur... more This book shows that northern Ethiopia has been suffering from severe land degradation for centuries and became strongly impoverished, but also that many efforts are done to reverse the situation. In this context, generations of students and research assistants have investigated the environment of Dogu’a Tembien, mainly in research projects funded by VLIR-UOS, the Flemish university development cooperation agency (Belgium).

SN Applied Sciences, 2020

Background: Groundnut is one of the most valuable cash crops and food sources in low lands of Eth... more Background: Groundnut is one of the most valuable cash crops and food sources in low lands of Ethiopia. In spite of its food and economic importance, very few studies have been conducted yet on the factors that influence groundnut production includingaflatoxigenic fungi in different socio-ecological conditions. Therefore, this study aimed ati) assessing groundnut varietal diversity ii) to determine the existing use values and management practices iii) to isolate and determine the prevalence of Aspergillus species associated with groundnut seed.Methods: Field data were collected using structured and semi-structured interviews from 144 general informants and 24 key-informants. 88 groundnut seed samples were collected from farmers’ fields for Aspergillus species isolation. Diversity of groundnut was analyzed using the Shannon diversity index. Frequency of Aspergillus contamination was determined using plate counting methods.Results: In the study areas,six varieties were grown with vary...

Agroforestry Systems, 2021

Global Ecology and Conservation, 2020

Forests, 2018

Olea europaea L. subsp cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif., an endangered tree species in dry Afromo... more Olea europaea L. subsp cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif., an endangered tree species in dry Afromontane forests, has multiple uses in local communities in Ethiopia, making it susceptible to overexploitation. The study investigated the rates and causes of O. europaea harvesting in the Hugumburda National Forest Priority Area (NFPA). We measured the diameter at stump height of harvested stumps from 70 (20 × 20 m) plots and estimated the time since cutting to determine the biomass of O. europaea wood harvested annually in the forest. We performed a socioeconomic survey of the reasons for wood harvesting by conducting 163 stratified random individual interviews in the villages surrounding the forest. The average annual quantity of O. europaea wood illegally harvested from the forest was estimated to be 430 kg ha−1, mainly for farm implements, fuel wood, and fumigation purposes. The results of a General Linear Model (GLM) show that the extraction of O. europaea wood in the forest is highe...

Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, 2020

Journal of Arid Environments, 2018

Ecological Processes, 2019

Ethiopia has many potential protected areas which can be good services of protecting the earth’s ... more Ethiopia has many potential protected areas which can be good services of protecting the earth’s ecological veracity, biodiversity conservation and of tourism income. Unfortunately, owing to rigorous human interference the natural resources base degradation of these resources is continuing. Awash National Park a jewel in the coronet of Ethiopian parks is not in different to this fact. This study was aimed at assessing the current status of large wild mammal species diversity along with exploring the manifold human interferences within the territory of the park. Thus, to explore the human interference six transects were laid systematically. A total of 57 plots measuring 4*4meter were laid on the transects to assess the proportion of ground cover by herbs and to identify the major ground cover herb species of the park. In order to understand the current diversity status of the large wild mammal species a comparison was made with a study done in 1968. The proportion of ground cover of herbs indicated as the human interference is competing with the meager wild life feed of the park. The comparative wild mammal species diversity trend analysis of the park revealed as the resource is in danger due to the manifold forms of human intervention. Thus, if the lasting wild mammals of the park are to be saved, the various forms of human interference needs to be avoided at most urgency from the territory of the park.

Awash National Park a jewel in the coronet of Ethiopian National Parks is highly threatened due t... more Awash National Park a jewel in the coronet of Ethiopian National Parks is highly threatened due to human intervention. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the current regeneration, density and diversity of the woody vegetation as an indicator of the ecological status of the Awash National Park. 57 experimental plots (each 400 m2) which were grouped under three land management types; protected, less human interference and high human interference were laid systematically along six transect lines. In addition, 3 controlled plots were set at 200-400 meters from the head quarter to see the current level of human disturbance in the land management types. The results showed that land management had a highly significant effect on density and basal area distribution of woody vegetation in ANP (P < 0.05= 0.000 and 0.004 respectively). A highly significant difference in species composition among the different land management types of the park for the mature trees and seedling...

Climate-smart agriculture: enhancing resilient agricultural systems, landscapes, and livelihoods in Ethiopia and beyond, 2019

Cordia Africana (Lam.), is a deciduous forest tree species which belongs to the Boraginaceae fami... more Cordia Africana (Lam.), is a deciduous forest tree species which belongs to the Boraginaceae family [1, 2]. Cordia Africana (C. Africana), a multipurpose tree, is widespread in almost 17 African countries, mainly in primary or secondary forests and woodlands in West Africa, and it is restricted to montane and submontane habitats [1]. C. Africana have been found to be in those regions with warm climate and high rainfall, but it can also grow in areas with drier climatic conditions through adaptation mechanisms such as leaves shading or closing the stomata in order to minimize its water consumption [2]. The tree is valued for its numerous socio-economic, nutritional, medicinal, ecological, environmental benefits and it is considered to be essential in agro-silvopastoral systems and act as a source of shade to other crops [3]. In Ethiopia, C. Africana (locally known as the ‘Wanza or Awhi’) is a native tree species, widely distributed all over the country. The species is managed through...

Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, 2022

Highlights • Fruit of indigenous tree species varied in macronutrients and mineral contents.• B. ... more Highlights • Fruit of indigenous tree species varied in macronutrients and mineral contents.• B. aegyptiaca, C. africana and Z. spina-christi were good sources of nutrient including minerals.• Site-specific ecological factors determined fruit nutrient and mineral distribution.

Geo-trekking in Ethiopia’s Tropical Mountains, 2019

This book shows that northern Ethiopia has been suffering from severe land degradation for centur... more This book shows that northern Ethiopia has been suffering from severe land degradation for centuries and became strongly impoverished, but also that many efforts are done to reverse the situation. In this context, generations of students and research assistants have investigated the environment of Dogu’a Tembien, mainly in research projects funded by VLIR-UOS, the Flemish university development cooperation agency (Belgium).

SN Applied Sciences, 2020

Background: Groundnut is one of the most valuable cash crops and food sources in low lands of Eth... more Background: Groundnut is one of the most valuable cash crops and food sources in low lands of Ethiopia. In spite of its food and economic importance, very few studies have been conducted yet on the factors that influence groundnut production includingaflatoxigenic fungi in different socio-ecological conditions. Therefore, this study aimed ati) assessing groundnut varietal diversity ii) to determine the existing use values and management practices iii) to isolate and determine the prevalence of Aspergillus species associated with groundnut seed.Methods: Field data were collected using structured and semi-structured interviews from 144 general informants and 24 key-informants. 88 groundnut seed samples were collected from farmers’ fields for Aspergillus species isolation. Diversity of groundnut was analyzed using the Shannon diversity index. Frequency of Aspergillus contamination was determined using plate counting methods.Results: In the study areas,six varieties were grown with vary...

Agroforestry Systems, 2021

Global Ecology and Conservation, 2020

Forests, 2018

Olea europaea L. subsp cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif., an endangered tree species in dry Afromo... more Olea europaea L. subsp cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif., an endangered tree species in dry Afromontane forests, has multiple uses in local communities in Ethiopia, making it susceptible to overexploitation. The study investigated the rates and causes of O. europaea harvesting in the Hugumburda National Forest Priority Area (NFPA). We measured the diameter at stump height of harvested stumps from 70 (20 × 20 m) plots and estimated the time since cutting to determine the biomass of O. europaea wood harvested annually in the forest. We performed a socioeconomic survey of the reasons for wood harvesting by conducting 163 stratified random individual interviews in the villages surrounding the forest. The average annual quantity of O. europaea wood illegally harvested from the forest was estimated to be 430 kg ha−1, mainly for farm implements, fuel wood, and fumigation purposes. The results of a General Linear Model (GLM) show that the extraction of O. europaea wood in the forest is highe...

Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, 2020

Journal of Arid Environments, 2018

Ecological Processes, 2019

Ethiopia has many potential protected areas which can be good services of protecting the earth’s ... more Ethiopia has many potential protected areas which can be good services of protecting the earth’s ecological veracity, biodiversity conservation and of tourism income. Unfortunately, owing to rigorous human interference the natural resources base degradation of these resources is continuing. Awash National Park a jewel in the coronet of Ethiopian parks is not in different to this fact. This study was aimed at assessing the current status of large wild mammal species diversity along with exploring the manifold human interferences within the territory of the park. Thus, to explore the human interference six transects were laid systematically. A total of 57 plots measuring 4*4meter were laid on the transects to assess the proportion of ground cover by herbs and to identify the major ground cover herb species of the park. In order to understand the current diversity status of the large wild mammal species a comparison was made with a study done in 1968. The proportion of ground cover of herbs indicated as the human interference is competing with the meager wild life feed of the park. The comparative wild mammal species diversity trend analysis of the park revealed as the resource is in danger due to the manifold forms of human intervention. Thus, if the lasting wild mammals of the park are to be saved, the various forms of human interference needs to be avoided at most urgency from the territory of the park.

Awash National Park a jewel in the coronet of Ethiopian National Parks is highly threatened due t... more Awash National Park a jewel in the coronet of Ethiopian National Parks is highly threatened due to human intervention. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the current regeneration, density and diversity of the woody vegetation as an indicator of the ecological status of the Awash National Park. 57 experimental plots (each 400 m2) which were grouped under three land management types; protected, less human interference and high human interference were laid systematically along six transect lines. In addition, 3 controlled plots were set at 200-400 meters from the head quarter to see the current level of human disturbance in the land management types. The results showed that land management had a highly significant effect on density and basal area distribution of woody vegetation in ANP (P < 0.05= 0.000 and 0.004 respectively). A highly significant difference in species composition among the different land management types of the park for the mature trees and seedling...

2016/11/24, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, 2014

There are several underutilised and neglected species used as food in the world. These food sourc... more There are several underutilised and neglected species used as food in the world. These food sources are under threat of disappearing and their knowledge base being forgotten. One such plant is the Cordia africana. Though it grows all over Africa and the Middle East, focus on its use has been limited to its wood value. In addition to the wood value, this study has showed that it has a great potential in contributing to the overall nutrition of our society, especially as it is a tree and is known to be able to produce fruits even in drought years. This is a fruit that is locally available, cheap and easy to use, and its use value is well known by the local communities. With the climate change and the increasing human population, it is wise to conserve and promote such food sources, and make them available for a wider range of our population through improved processing and marketing. Nutritionally Cordia africana was found to be a good source of total phenols. It is also a good partial source for nutritionally important vitamin A and Iron, as well as for protein, vitamin C, calcium, copper, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. Additionally, it was found to contain very little zinc and sodium. The physical characteristics and nutritional composition was found to vary across land use and agroecology, showing that there is a high potential for further improvement, and need for studying and selecting materials to be used for propagation. The fruit processing study showed that the fresh fruit processing needs improvment, while fruit marketing needs further study and improvement. With the dried fruits, the cabinet drier substantially reduced the time …

Research-Based Development Projects in Dogu’a Tembien, 2019

This book shows that northern Ethiopia has been suffering from severe land degradation for centur... more This book shows that northern Ethiopia has been suffering from severe land degradation for centuries and became strongly impoverished, but also that many efforts are done to reverse the situation. In this context, generations of students and research assistants have investigated the environment of Dogu’a Tembien, mainly in research projects funded by VLIR-UOS, the Flemish university development cooperation agency (Belgium).

This study aimed at analyzing ecologically organic dryland orange fruit value chain and its assoc... more This study aimed at analyzing ecologically organic dryland orange fruit value chain and its associated challenges in Northern Ethiopia. Data were collected from farmers, experts, traders and consumers. Results of this study indicate that distribution of benefi ts among the value chain actors differ substantially. Above all, little focus was given for the organic orange fruit development by support institutions mainly in the areas of product differentiation, price determination and branding for the organic product. Hence, organic certifi cation, market linkage and strengthening producer’s cooperative are paramount important to sustainably promote Ecological Organic fruit production.