Ch'elaqo (exclosure)

Ch’elaqo is an exclosure located in the Dogu'a Tembien woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia.

Ch’elaqo exclosure
Map showing the location of Ch’elaqo exclosure
Map showing the location of Ch’elaqo exclosure
LocationInda Sillasie municipality, in Dogu’a Tembien district, Ethiopia
Nearest cityHagere Selam
Coordinates13.591°N 39.197°E / 13.591; 39.197
Area50 ha (120 acres)
Websitehttps://ethiotrees.com

Environmental characteristics
  • Area: 50 ha[1]
  • Average slope gradient: 46%
  • Aspect: the exclosure is oriented towards the southwest
  • Minimum altitude: 2169 metres
  • Maximum altitude: 2336 metres
  • Lithology: Antalo Limestone
  • 2018: support by the EthioTrees project

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. Field observations showed that no 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 84 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 exclosures.[4]

Biodiversity

With vegetation growth, biodiversity in this exclosure has strongly improved, not only with regard to flora but also with regard to fauna.

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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