e study was conducted in Shashemene district, Ethiopia. Management-related data were collected using informal and formal surveys. Woody species diversity and related parameters were collected from 60 households. Woody species with ≥5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured and recorded and below 5 cm were counted and recorded in 10 m * 10 m and 1 m * 1 m plot, respectively. A total of 36 woody species were recorded, of which 58% were indigenous to the area. e overall mean number of woody species per plot was 3.13. Four woody species, namely, Cordia africana, Croton macrostachyus, Persea americana, and Catha edulis, showed highest importance value index. Farmers' preference ranks for selected woody species were recorded in order of Cordia africana, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Croton macrostachyus, and Cupressus lusitanica, respectively. e similarity in woody species composition between the study villages ranged from 0.46 to 0.60. To sustain the management of woody species, farmers implemented pruning, thinning, composting, weeding, digging, and watering activities in the area. Garden availability and market and road accessibility are the major determinants of woody species in homegarden agroforestry. e study revealed woody species diversity, management practices implemented, and factors affecting woody species diversity management in homegarden agroforestry. erefore, government should be worked on infrastructure, resource reallocation, and awareness creation in communities for the better improvement of species diversity and its sustainable management in homegarden agroforestry.

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Contributions from all land-uses are needed if Ethiopia is to fulfil its Paris Agreement targets. The magnitude of soil carbon stock and the role of Ethiopian forest soils in climate change mitigation has not yet been clarified. In this study, soil carbon inventory in forests was carried out as a part of the Ethiopia REDD+ Programme. The performance of soil carbon models Yasso07 and CENTURY was tested by comparing the model predictions with the empirical soil organic carbon (SOC) data provided by the field inventory. In addition to that, Global Soil Organic Carbon (GSOC) map estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organization for Ethiopia were included in the comparison. The soil inventory was carried out in 2017-2018 at a subset of permanent sampling units of the National Forest Inventory conducted in 2014-2017. A combination of soil inventory data, soil carbon models and satellite images enabled to quantify the impact of forest use intensity to future SOC sinks in Ethiopian forests in a novel way. The Yasso07 and CENTURY models provided similar SOC estimates to the measured data for all biomes, and the GSOC map overestimated in biomes with larger SOC stocks. Results showed that Moist Afromontane forest biome contains twice as much SOC per unit area compared to Combretum-Terminalia forest biome and three-times more SOC compared to Acacia-Commiphora. Results underlined that sustainable forest management has a high potential for soil carbon development in Ethiopian forests in near future, impacting the ability of the Country to achieve its Paris Agreement targets.

Data on environmental problems of the area, local manifestations of climate change, climate change coping strategies, rainfall prediction mechanisms and their threats were collected in three systematically selected administrative units of the study area using focus group discussion, key informant interview and household (HH) survey from May to June, 2017. Focus group (FG) discussion that participate youth, elders, women, religion and tradition leaders and experts with average members of 15 was organized at each administrative units. Sample key informants (KI) were selected by the focus group members by setting criteria to get deep information. HH survey was conducted from randomly selected 92 HHs samples determined by Kothari (2004). Qualitative data analysis method was used to summarize the information. Results showed that environmental problems in the area are directly or indirectly related to climate. And the communities rely on their indigenous rainfall prediction using meteorological, astronomic and animal behavioral indicators. The main indicators are: wind direction, appearance and shape of cloud, star pattern, moon's appearance, cattle behavior, chirping of bird, bee's migration, and color of lake and appearance of rainbow. The study also depicted that most (85%) of the communities heavily rely on the indigenous knowledge for planning agricultural activities or early warnings for preparedness. However, it has been threatened due to critics by religious people, lack of trust of young generation, degradation of the indicators and lack of documentation. There is need for careful evaluation and enhancement for social-ecological resilience of the vulnerable communities.

The effect of Balanites aegyptiaca, Acacia tortilis and Acacia seyal on soil fertility and microclimate was studied in the central rift valley of Ethiopia. Sampling was done in randomized complete blocks at 1/3 radius, 2/3 radius and at crown edge radius from the tree base and control was maintained at an open area. All soil and microclimatic parameters observed under the canopy distances were significantly different from the open control (P<0.05) except soil texture. Soil bulk density increased from the trees base to open field. Available Nitrogen under crown of A. tortilis in all crown radii was much higher than that of B. aegyptiaca and A. seyal; available Potassium was significantly higher under B. aegyptiaca and A. tortilis at their 1/3 and 2/3 crown radii. B. aegyptiaca at 1/3 crown radius had significantly higher level of available Phosphorus. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) was significantly higher under the 1/3 and 2/3 crown radii of all the involved trees. Soil moisture decreased whereas relative illumination, soil and below canopy temperatures showed increasing trend towards the crown periphery revealing the significant canopy cooling effect. Inclusion of higher number of these trees can reduce adverse climatic effects in the semi-arid valley and supplement organic source of nutrients.