Gemgema

Gemgema is an exclosure located in the Dogu'a Tembien woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The area has been protected since 1992 by the local community.[1]

General view on Gemgema

Gemgema exclosure
Gemgema exclosure
LocationAyninbirkekin municipality, in Dogu’a Tembien district, Ethiopia
Nearest cityHagere Selam
Coordinates13.646°N 39.24°E / 13.646; 39.24
Area92 ha (230 acres)
Established1992
Websitehttps://ethiotrees.com

Timeline[1]
  • 1992: established as exclosure by the community
  • 2017: support by the EthioTrees project
Gemgema occupies the steep slopes east of the village of Tsigaba

Environmental characteristics[1]
  • Area: 92 ha
  • Average slope gradient: 59%
  • Aspect: the exclosure is oriented towards the west
  • Minimum altitude: 2124 metres
  • Maximum altitude: 2288 metres
  • Lithology: Antalo Limestone
Soil and water conservation in Gemgema

Management

As a general rule, cattle ranging and wood harvesting are not allowed. The grasses are harvested once yearly and taken to the homesteads of the village to feed livestock. Physical soil and water conservation has been implemented to enhance infiltration, and vegetation growth. There are five guards to protect the exclosure. Field observations showed that however some illegal grazing occurred in the exclosure in 2018.[1]

Benefits for the community

Setting aside such areas fits with the long-term vision of the communities were hiza’iti lands are set aside for use by the future generations. It has also direct benefits for the community[2]:

  • improved ground water availability
  • honey production
  • climate ameliorator (temperature, moisture)
  • the sequestered carbon (in total 53 tonnes per ha, dominantly sequestered in the soil, and additionally in the woody vegetation)[1] is certified using the Plan Vivo voluntary carbon standard,[3] after which carbon credits are sold
  • the revenues are then reinvested in the villages, according to the priorities of the communities; it may be for an additional class in the village school, a water pond, or conservation in the exclosure. [4]

Biodiversity

With vegetation growth, biodiversity in this exclosure hast strongly improved: there is more varied vegetation and wildlife.

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References
  1. De Deyn, Jonathan (2019). Benefits of reforestation on Carbon storage and water infiltration in the context of climate mitigation in North Ethiopia. Master thesis, Ghent University.
  2. Jacob, M. and colleagues (2019). Exclosures as Primary Option for Reforestation in Dogu'a Tembien. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains - The Dogu'a Tembien District. SpringerNature. ISBN 978-3-030-04954-6.
  3. EthioTrees on Plan Vivo website
  4. Reubens, B. and colleagues (2019). Research-based development projects in Dogu'a Tembien. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains - The Dogu'a Tembien District. SpringerNature. ISBN 978-3-030-04954-6.
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