Eucalyptus: The Popular Exotic Tree Crop in Ethiopia (original) (raw)
Related papers
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...
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
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...
Journal of Ecology and The Natural Environment , 2019
This review was made to bring forth the contradicting outlooks from different research findings, challenges on the Eucalyptus species and show the opportunities we have with the tree. Due to the impact of Eucalyptus tree species on ecological health and agricultural productivity, ecologists, policy makers and politicians have had a negative view on this tree species. Hence, attempts are made to remove the tree from the agricultural landscape in some part of Ethiopia. In contrast, the farmers of Ethiopia prefer the fast growing, economically attractive, and the quality wood yields of Eucalyptus tree species. So we need to look for other dimension to coincide the existing contradictions. Eradication of the tree cannot be solution without replacing with suitable tree species for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. The tree can continue to supply fuel wood and construction material and thereby retard the rate of deforestation and loss of biodiversity resources of the remnant forests of the country. Collaborative work is crucial to gear efforts towards the establishment of a proper management system for the cultivation of Eucalyptus tree. Appropriate management practices such as species selection, planting site selection, correct site-species matching and efficient utilization can maximize the opportunity obtained from the tree. It is also very important to look for alternative trees species to replace Eucalyptus trees, and further studies are required to test the level of Eucalyptus species impact on specific ecosystem. Also, polices need to achieve a reasonable trade-off between the socioeconomic value and agro-ecological conservation.
Contribution Of Eucalyptus Tree Farming For Rural Livelihood In Eza Wereda, Ethiopia
Eucalyptus tree can produce large volumes of poles for construction and wood products for fuel wood and construction in a short time without requiring much attention for management. Particularly the advantage is more meaningful for small landholders like those of the study area. The study assessed causes of eucalyptus tree expansion, farming practices, perceived negative ecological impacts and its contribution to the rural livelihood in three selected KPAs (Kebele Peasant Administrations) namely, Zigba Boto (kolla), Shebraden (woinadega) and Koter Gedra (dega). In each selected KPAs a total of 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. The study revealed that households in the study area are benefiting from eucalyptus tree plantation. Fuel wood, construction, and financial benefits are the main reasons of farmers in engaging with this farming activity. Thus, 3% and 60% of the surveyed farmers have ranked eucalyptus tree as first and second source of their income respectively. Hence, eucalyptus tree has dominated all other food crops, chat, and coffee next to enset. Households became beneficiaries from sale of eucalyptus poles of different sizes (small, medium, and big) upon emergencies of cash shortage. Farmers prefer to sell eucalyptus products when there is a fall of prices of grain to sale it latter at high price. In the study area, Eza Wereda, Gurage zone, the decision to grow eucalyptus is predominantly engendered by the need to meet household wood demands and other benefits. Most part of household level fuel and construction wood demand is met by own eucalypt wood lots. Fuel wood forms not only the major source of energy for cooking and lighting but it is also an indispensable source of heating for households particularly during the cold seasons. Moreover in the study area eucalyptus is the second most preferred wood for roof pillars (some farmers rated first) and underground construction works, next to juniperus procera. Eucalyptus wood also lends itself to many other uses in house construction. Fencing along farm and individual plot boundaries are commonly done with eucalypt branches and twigs. Eucalypt logs are also commonly employed as a heavy duty bridge on most water streams. Farmers intentionally plant eucalypt seedlings mainly for economic and social services. Eucalypt seedlings are planted on degraded and erosion prone grounds such as gully banks and inside gullies to reduce landslide and soil erosion.
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.
Eucalyptus globulus in Ethiopian forestry
Forest Ecology and Management, 1990
Eucalyptus globulus Labill. has been planted as the main tree species in the central highlands of Ethiopia since 1895. The success of the 100 000 ha planted so far is based on the adaptability of E. globulus to the highland climate and soil conditions, its vigorous coppicing and non-palatability for livestock, and its suitability for fuel and small construction poles. The mean annual growth of E. globulus in fuelwood plantations varies between 10 and 30 m 3 ha-~ year-~. Other equally productive fuelwood species have not been identified for the Ethiopian highlands. Despite alleged ecological demerits, like high consumption of water, additional planting of E. globulus is justified until the current fuelwood shortage is eliminated. In the long run, parts of Ethiopian Eucalyptus plantations may naturally alter in composition into stands of indigenous highland species, e.g. Juniperus procera, Podocarpus gracilior and Olea africana.