Ethiopia

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is located on the Horn of Africa. Unlike many countries in Africa, Ethiopia has been independent since ancient times and some of the oldest human remains have been found here. Even though Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most populous countries, the government has put more than 16 percent of its land under some form of protection. The country is home to the Ethiopian wolf, which is generally regarded as one of the rarest carnivores in existence, living in the mountains on either side of the Great Rift Valley. It is also home to the Grevy’s zebra, one of the rarest species of zebra, as well as a variety of other wildlife.

Deforestation

Firewood collection, farming, overgrazing and the use of forest wood as building materials’ in Ethiopia, are responsible for the lost of about 141,000 hectares of natural forest each year. Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy and is tight with the forest resources. In the span of 15 years, 14 percent of this forest has been lost. Since close to the 1990 deforestation rates have increased by 10.4 percent. The country has some 6,603 species of plants, 839 birds, 205 mammals, 288 reptiles, and 76 amphibians.

The Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity  was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development. It represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

The following discusses Ethiopia's plans for biodiversity nationwide:

Ethiopia has nine vegetation-based major ecosystems. The country contains outstanding physical features, including the lava lake of Erta`le and the sulphur deposits of Dallol. Most recent studies indicate that: there are more than 6500 species of higher plants (10-12% endemic). About 887 plant species are used for medicinal purposes, constituting over 10% of the vascular species existing in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has 862 species of birds (16 endemic), 277 species of mammals (35 endemic), 201 species of reptiles (10 endemic) and 63 amphibian species (34 endemic). Seven mammal and two bird species have been listed by IUCN as critically endangered. According to the CITES list, 1 reptile, 4 birds and 8 mammals are in danger of extinction. Threats to biodiversity include: undervaluation of environmental resources; deforestation (due to agricultural expansion and settlement, habitat fragmentation, and subsequent decline in regeneration, and forest fire); lack of adequate knowledge of biological resources; and overexploitation.

The 2010 target has been addressed in the National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment Program whose main goals are the rehabilitation of affected ecosystems and their sustainable use. Sub targets include: biodiversity hotspots rehabilitated and sustainably used; forest cover increased to fulfill demands for fuel wood, fodder and construction; and sites identified, rehabilitated and managed as protected areas. The 2010 target was also incorporated into the Millennium Development Goals Needs Assessment document of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian in situ crop conservation programme is serving as a source of genetic diversity for restoration and re-introduction of landraces/farmers’ varieties into farming communities, which had lost them. The Forest Genetic Resources Conservation Department of the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation, in collaboration with GTZ, has started reintroducing the seven most threatened woody species into their natural habitats. A private investment enterprise, African Parks Ethiopia Ltd, is also working on the re-introduction of the rhinoceros and elephant into the Nech Saar National Park, from which these species had disappeared.

Source: Convention on Biodiversity