Sacred nature in a changing world: How sacred forests in the Konso Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site, Ethiopia, persisted amidst historical and contemporary challenges

Despite rapid economic and cultural transformations, sacred forests within the Konso Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site in southern Ethiopia have shown remarkable resilience from 2004 to 2023. This persistence highlights how indigenous beliefs in reciprocity with nature can contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. The study mapped 66 sacred forests using GPS field inventory and satellite imagery, combined with qualitative research involving focus group discussions and key informant interviews with chiefs, elders, religious leaders, and management committee members. These findings underscore the importance of integrating sacred forests into national biodiversity strategies and climate action plans to protect this unique biocultural heritage.

Kura, A. L., Stellmacher, T., Regasa, A., Lemessa, A., & Gella, A. (2026). Sacred nature in a changing world: How sacred forests in the Konso Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site, Ethiopia, persisted amidst historical and contemporary challenges. Trees, Forests and People, 25, 101296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101296