Assessment of Threat Status in the Northern Woodlands of the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia: Indicator for Management Effectiveness

Protected forest patches within the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, exhibit significantly lower levels of human-induced disturbances compared to unprotected areas, indicating effective management practices. The study identified eight major disturbance types—including logging, fuel wood collection, path/track formation, and livestock grazing—as widespread, with crop production, settlement, and charcoal making confined to unprotected patches. Notably, recent logging activity (< 20 years) was more prevalent in protected areas, targeting larger trees (DBH > 10 cm). Data were collected along five 1-km transects per patch, revealing that unprotected areas experienced higher incidences of logged trees, fuel wood collection, and livestock herbivory. This research underscores the positive impact of protection on reducing human disturbances, serving as a critical indicator for management effectiveness in the region's woodlands.

Asefa, A., Shimelis, A., & Kinahan, A. (2015). Assessment of Threat Status in the Northern Woodlands of the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia: Indicator for Management Effectiveness. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 8(3), 318. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejesm.v8i3.9