Spatial analysis of multiple ecosystem service flows from natural and cultural landscapes in the Ethiopian highlands

Ecosystem services (ES), the benefits of natural ecosystems, are essential for human well-being. Remnant ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and culturally significant landscapes, play a pivotal role in food security and biodiversity conservation. Despite their global recognition, the integration of ES into Ethiopian environmental and agricultural policies remains limited. This dissertation examines the contributions of remnant ecosystems to ES, the impacts of ecosystem fragmentation, and the inclusion of ES in Ethiopian policies, offering guidance for conservation and sustainable development in the degraded Ethiopian highlands.
The first study (Ch. 2) highlights the importance of sacred church forests in supporting wild pollinators critical for crop pollination. By examining crop flower visitation within a 1,500 m buffer, the study found that visitation declines with distance, while forest size, age, proximity, and functional richness enhance pollination. These findings stress the significance of conserving sacred forests for biodiversity, cultural values, and food security, advocating for their integration into conservation policies.
The second study (Ch. 3) investigates the spatial flow of ES, such as grass biomass, microclimate regulation, crop pollination, and soil erosion retention, from remnant ecosystems. Results show that ES flow diminishes with distance, with higher concentrations near forests and wetlands. Ecosystem fragmentation significantly reduced ES flow, underscoring the importance of preserving fragmented ecosystems to sustain ES and inform conservation strategies. The third study (Ch. 4) examines the long-term effects of ecosystem fragmentation on ES delivery. The study links patterns like ecosystem area, perimeter-area ratio, and patch proximity to declines in ES over two decades, offering valuable insights for landscape planning and conservation.
The final study (Ch. 5) evaluates ES integration into 25 Ethiopian policies. While ES are acknowledged, their incorporation is inconsistent, with agricultural policies prioritizing provisioning services and environmental policies focusing on regulating and cultural services. The study calls for a comprehensive approach to balance ecosystem conservation and competing land uses. In summary, this thesis underscores the need to preserve remnant ecosystems and integrate ES into Ethiopian policies to achieve sustainable development in fragmented landscapes.