Is the expansion of Eucalyptus tree a curse or an opportunity? Implications from a dispute on the tree's ecological and economic impact in Ethiopia: A review (original) (raw)
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Environmental and Socio-economic Implications of Eucalyptus in Ethiopia
Review Article, 2010
Eucalyptus is one of the exotic tree species in Ethiopia. It has been once associated with theEthiopian environment and economy. It is one of the most successful trees; it adapts to a variety of environments. Eucalyptus is often considered to have undesirable ecological qualities such as depletion of soil water and nutrients, aggressive competition for resources with native flora, unsuitability for erosion control, production of allelopathic chemicals that suppress the growth of other plants and provision of inadequate food and habitat for wildlife. On the other hand, Eucalyptus provides multiple environmental and socio-economic benefits. It is useful for provision of wood and other products thereby reducing the pressure on the natural forests, conservation of soil and water, rehabilitation of degraded lands, fostering the regeneration of native woody species, provision of food and habitat for wildlife, drainage of swampy areas, mitigation of climate change and provision of amenity. The benefits of Eucalyptus are far greater than the negative impacts. The negative impacts are mainly because of the poor management rather than its biological characteristics. Eucalyptus has been found to be efficient water user. In fact, it is fast growing and thereby consumes more nutrients from the soil. Applying appropriate silviculture and management on Eucalyptus planting will enhance the utilization of this important tree for maintaining and/or restoring the environment and solving socio-economic problems in Ethiopia and elsewhere. It appears that there are no profound reasons not to continue Eucalyptus planting in Ethiopia.
Eucalyptus Expansion as Relieving and Provocative Tree in Ethiopia
Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, 2016
Over the last century, Eucalyptus has rapidly expanded across the globe. It has become the most planted tree species. Environmentalists fear this for the perceived negative eco-hydrological impact. Foresters and wood industries support its expansion looking at its socioeconomic benefits. Ethiopia is one of the countries where Eucalyptus dominates forest development gains in the last century. The main purpose of this review is to evaluate the expansion, benefit and challenges of Eucalyptus in Ethiopia. Eucalyptus was introduced to Africa, and Ethiopia, around the end of the 19 th century, in 1890s. Since then it has continued to expand to cover wider geographic areas within Ethiopia: highland and lowland. It is providing multiple purposes, economic and social, for millions of households in urban and rural areas. It has substituted effectively some of the natural forest's functions, principally in wood supply; hence this way it has contributed to reducing pressure and in slowing down deforestation. Yet Eucalyptus sustained blame for ecosystem water and soil nutrient drains, and allelopathic effect to suppress native flora growth. Studies on these aspects of
Eucalyptus in Ethiopia Risk or Opportunity
2014
The book attempts to clarify the myth, reality, risks, and opportunities that surround the continued "curse-blessing" debate on eucalyptus based empirical evidence but with little technical jargon as possible. Hence, it presents both side of the argument to minimize the drawbacks and maximize the benefits from the species. To this end, several issues on the sound and efficient management with little adverse impact on ecology and/or agriculture are elaborated for its sustained utilization. This is hoped to help policy makers and users make informed decisions. Professor Mesfin Abebe has written extensively in the field of soil science and the environment. His involvement in agriculture, natural resources, and the environment in different ministries, higher learning and research institutions has offered him a closer look into the forestry sector as reflected in this modest work. Dr. Wubalem Taddess has published his studies in several reputed journals for greater visibility of the forestry sector. In addition to his leadership in forestry research, he has been forefront in the organization of many conferences and the edition of the proceedings. Such knowledge and experience has been valuable in the preparation of this publication on eucalyptus in Ethiopia.
Review on Expansion of Eucalyptus, its Economic Value and Related Environmental Issues in Ethiopia
International Journal of Research, 2018
Eucalyptus is one of the most divers „genus in the world. Globally, Eucalyptus comprises more than 900 species and unknown number of hybrids and varieties. Most Eucalyptus species (Eucalypts) occur naturally in Australia. A few species are naturally found in Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Timor. Eucalypts grow in diverse ecological conditions with some hardy species growing in semiarid areas, while others are able to grow on marshy and swampy sites. Eucalypts also grow under a variety of soils including fertile loamy soils, infertile sands and heavy clays [3]. It is exotic tree species which has been associated in Ethiopian environment. The population pressure in Ethiopian high lands has led to a change in land use or land cover and establishment of wood lots, so plantation of exotic tree species such as Eucalyptus has long been advocated as strategy for relieving pressure on indigenous forests and wood lands in the Ethiopian high lands [3]. It has provided forester an...
Eucalyptus: The Popular Exotic Tree Crop in Ethiopia
Acta Scientific Agriculture, 2019
Background An increasing in the demand of forest product such as wood for construction poles, timber, firewood, charcoal, fencing, posts, farm implements and source of income which makes Eucalyptus is the popular tree crop in across the tropics. Eucalyptus is a long and ever green tree which belongs to the family of flowering plants known as Myrtaceae. In Ethiopia, Eucalyptus is one of the most exotic tree species which introduced by Emperor Menelik II in 1895 in order to alleviate the shortage of firewood and construction wood in the capital city of Ethiopia. Currently, Eucalyptus is growing and expanding almost in all part of Ethiopia for satisfying the growing demand of forest product. Even though Eucalyptus provides various socioeconomic benefits to most households', it has some negative impacts on soil nutrients, neighbour crops and water. However, the negative impacts of Eucalyptus are mainly results from poor management. Hence, there are no deep reasons to discard Eucalyptus plantation in Ethiopia. Generally, production and planting of Eucalyptus tree in the form of woodlot have a significant poverty alleviation role as a source of regular income, and improving most Ethiopian household's livelihood. Eucalyptus is an exotic and most popular tree species classified in Myrtaceae family [1]. It is a genus of more than 500 species and become the most planted genus of tree species in the world [2]. Although Eucalypts is a native of Australia, it is now widely and successfully planted in India,
2010
The fast growth rate of Eucalyptus to provide possible products for the livelihood consumption and for the market has over won the continuing planting of the species irrespective of the policy resistant from the policy makers in Ethiopia. Until the end of the 1990s, the main tree seedling produced in government nurseries was Eucalyptus, but starting from the early 2000s, production of Eucalyptus in government nurseries has been given up. On the contrary, Eucalyptus gives some attention for concern in the context of diversified plantations by smallholder farmers, because owing to its importance to the household livelihood strategy by providing income and wood products for household consumption. With a large proportion of the world population in general, and of developing countries such as Ethiopia in particular, depending on wood for cooking and heating, the economic importance of Eucalyptus is immense. Eucalyptus outputs have significant impacts of change on rural livelihoods. The o...
Preference, Purpose, and Pattern of Eucalyptus tree Farming in Eza Wereda, Ethiopia
– The study assessed eucalyptus tree farming practices in three selected KPAs (Kebele Peasant Administrations) namely, Zigba Boto (kolla), Shebraden (woinadega) and Koter Gedra (dega). In this study both primary and secondary data were employed. Purposive systematic sampling procedure was used to select the three agro-ecological areas of the wereda. In each selected KPAs 180 households were selected by using purposive systematic sampling techniques. Direct observations, discussions with key informants and focus groups were undertaken by the researcher. The required data were also collected using schedule through structured open and close-ended questionnaires. In Eza wereda eucalyptus farming is becoming an emergent and accelerating activity by small land holders. As reported by respondents, each sample KPA's households at least has 100 eucalyptus trees. Needless to say eucalyptus is multipurpose tree and the farmers know this very well. Eucalyptus is becoming everything to the small land holders. According to focus group discussions with DAs (Development Agents) in Koter Gedra KPA, farmers' reason for the initiation of planting eucalyptus tree was due to shortage of fuel wood supply particularly in dega areas which were known for fuel wood supply deficit before the adoption of growing eucalyptus plantation. After observing the benefits of pioneer farmers in planting eucalyptus trees, other farmers decided to grow the same. During data collection all farmers showed clear understanding of the dramatic expansion of eucalyptus as a result of population pressure and so as to fulfill fuel wood, construction and marketing demands. Thus, the current eucalyptus land holding size of the area further substantiates Boserupian Theory, that is the general trend of " more people more trees " situation.
EXTENT AND CAUSES OF EUCALYPTUS TREE FARMING EXPANSION IN EZA WEREDA, ETHIOPIA
Land use/land cover change is a common phenomenon in all parts of the globe although with varying magnitude. There are several possible causes for these changes, which may have economic, political or social reasons. Eucalyptus tree farming has become the dominant activities next to growing enset in the Gurage Zone in general and the study area, Eza wereda, in particular. The study assessed Extent and causes of Eeucalyptus farming expansion in three selected KPAs (Kebele Peasant Administrations) namely, Zigba Boto (kolla), Shebraden (woinadega) and Koter Gedra (dega). Here dega, woinadega, and kolla represent temperate, subtropical and tropical climatic divisions respectively. In this study both primary and secondary data were employed. Purposive systematic sampling procedure was used to select the three agro-ecological areas of the wereda. In each selected KPAs 180 households were selected. Thus, after selecting households with eucalyptus farms from the list of each KPA, every 5th households were interviewed. Direct observations, discussions with key informants and focus groups were undertaken by the researcher. The required data were also collected using schedule through structured open and close-ended questionnaires. Enset is a perennial herbaceous monocot and a staple food for more than 130,400 people in Eza wereda. These two dominant perennials grow together with other food crops such as cereals, pulses, vegetable, fruits, and chat. The amount of eucalyptus woodlot generally increases with farm size because farmers have better opportunities to grow more trees once they have satisfied their subsistence and cash crop needs. In the study area eucalyptus tree plantation is a well-known emergent and accelerating activity by small holder farmers. Eucalyptus is planted in the form of woodlots, farm boundary, roads sides and around homesteads as a first priority tree species in the three sample Kebele Peasant Administrations (KPAs). Eucalyptus trees are not found within croplands in these KPAs, which could be the result of the fear of competition with agricultural corps, however, they are competing side by side. Eucalyptus camaldulensis (red eucalyptus) grows in kolla and woina dega (but more in kolla zone), while eucalyptus globules (white eucalyptus) grows more favorably in the woinadega and dega zones. Key Words: Extent of eucalyptus tree expansion, causes of eucalyptus tree expansion, Land use land /land cover change, Economic factors, Eza wereda
Community Opinion, Marketing and Current Debates on Eucalyptus in Huruta District, Ethiopia
The fast growth rate of Eucalyptus to provide possible products for the livelihood consumption and for the market has over won the continuing planting of the species irrespective of the policy resistant from the policy makers in Ethiopia. Until the end of the 1990s, the main tree seedling produced in government nurseries was Eucalyptus, but starting from the early 2000s, production of Eucalyptus in government nurseries has been given up. On the contrary, Eucalyptus gives some attention for concern in the context of diversified plantations by smallholder farmers, because owing to its importance to the household livelihood strategy by providing income and wood products for household consumption. With a large proportion of the world population in general, and of developing countries such as Ethiopia in particular, depending on wood for cooking and heating, the economic importance of Eucalyptus is immense. Eucalyptus outputs have significant impacts of change on rural livelihoods. The objective of the study is to review existing literature on Eucalyptus from science, policy, and farmers’ perspectives and to assess the local market value and commercialization of Eucalyptus by farmers. In this study it was found that Eucalyptus wood products contributes 78 % of the local market economy for firewood, 100 % each for construction poles and posts, 20 % for charcoal and 93 % for the four wood product types at Huruta town which amounts a total of birr 99,867 ($ 12,484) in two weeks in 2005 markets and which is $15,189 when discounted at 4 % interest rate at the current market. Farmers have remarked that planting fast growing trees like Eucalyptus is the best alternative strategy to minimize the existing firewood scarcity in the locality rather than the use of cow dung and crop residues. The three extensive benefits farmers can obtain if they choose to grow Eucalyptus as a commercial tree on their land are (i) diversifying their farm income by growing it as a crop; (ii) increasing the productivity of their existing farm endeavour; and (iii) improving the sustainability of their current farming system.