The focus of this paper is to investigate how the land covers in Eastern Ethiopia's Babile Elephant Sanctuary (BES). The spatiotemporal patterns of land-cover changes involved using remote sensing, geographic information systems, and questionnaires. Researchers used the Landsat images acquired in 1972, 2000, and 2021 were used. The result revealed that bushland and agricultural land areas expanded highest over the study period (1972–2021) at the expense of natural forests. With an average annual loss rate of 8343.12 ha, riverine forests and woods lost a substantial amount of land cover. The woodland and riverine forest cover decreased steadily from 59.85 and 20.56% in 1972 to 30.37 and 3.13% in 2021.From 1972, the coverage of bushland, agricultural land, bare land, and settlement increased to 17.57, 1.75, 0.23, and 0.04%, respectively, to the year 2021, when it occupied 34.68, 22.30, 4.95, and 4.57%, respectively, of the total land area. Several bushland areas in the sanctuary while data collected for this study, with likely impacts were observed (such as tree-cutting) on the forest and riverine habitat. As a result, there was currently a greater area covered by wilderness patches (i.e., 34.68 % in 2021). The result showed that the increasing agricultural land and settlements become a threat to the ecological integrity of elephant habitats, leading to habitat fragmentation and human encroachment on elephant habitats, and high pressure and competition over resources. Based on the study, the interpretation drawn is that, BES is necessary to build gaps in knowledge for conservationists to design plans for the restoration of habitats and the species by lowering the impact on land cover change, immediate action, and restoring mechanisms to conserve biodiversity and associated ecosystem services in the area.

This study was conducted to investigate the farmers’ tree growing practices and diversity of tree species in the home garden,farmlands, and nearby forest areas of Abaychomen District, Eastern Wollega, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Data were collected fromsampled Households (HHs) using purposive random sampling methods for the socio-economic survey and a systematic sampling technique for vegetation assessment.For the interview, 152 HHs were selected from the two Peasant Associations of Gutene and Dinoberema. Focus group discussions and site observations were used. The result showed 51 tree species in Dinoberema and 41 in Gutene were identified and recorded. The Shannon diversity index is high in the natural forest of both sites and low in the crop fields of Gutene and home garden area of Denoberema. Simpson diversity index exhibited a similar trend as the Shannon diversity index in both sites. Croton macrostachyus and Podocarpus falcatus are the 1stand the 2ndmost important tree species in both sites.Higher Sorensen coefficient similarity observed between crop field and home gardens. The result also revealed, HHs within the rich wealth class have a large area of home garden related to medium and poor. According to respondents viewed, (80 % observed labour availability) in Gutene and (60% observed land availability) in Dinoberema were opportunities to grow trees. However, shortage of cash and land were the main constraints for tree growing practices.Therefore, this study is important for effective tree biodiversity.Hence, identifying and documenting the tree species diversity and practices of local peoples on tree management are necessary to build the gaps in knowledge

The focus of this paper is to study the feeding preference and impact of woody species on African elephants in Babile Elephant Sanctuary (BES), Eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected through purposive random and systematic sampling techniques. Seven sites from three different habitats in the sanctuary were selected by considering the availability of dung and consumed plant parts. The result showed, among 38 species browsed by elephants, 24(63.15%) were the most preferred elephant diet. Besides, from dissecting 75 dung boli of 24 plant species (yielding 2841seeds); 2009 (70%) of seeds were fed by elephants during the wet season. And, the seeds were analysed using the focal watch and indirect methods. Woody species, about 23(76.7%) in the riverine, 36 (68%) in woodland, and 19(54.3%) in bushland habitats were mainly impacted on parts of primary/secondary branches and main stem. Among these, a small size class of trees was more easily damaged by elephants. Based on research results, the following inference is drawn: identifying and documenting the dietary composition, feeding preference, and impact of elephants on woody species in BES is important to build gaps in knowledge for conservationists to design plans for restoring the species and sustaining elephants existence in the sanctuary.

The focus of this paper is to study the population size and age structure of elephants, and their seasonal movement patterns in Babile Elephant Sanctuary (BES), Eastern Ethiopia. The study was carried out between May 2019 and April 2020. The population size of the elephant was estimated indirectly from the dung droppings using line-transect methods within a 42 km2 area; of which, each 12 km2 area in riverine and woodland, and 18 km2 in bushland habitats. The total estimate of the elephant population for the sanctuary was (230+20) or between (210 and 250). Besides, Elephant numbers were also estimated directly from sightings. The maximum number observed in a herd was 75. There was a declining trend for the past 49 years in the elephant population. The observed density for the whole sanctuary was 0.033 elephants per km2. In the elephant age structure, there were more intermediate (47%) and very few sub-adults (2.6%) size classes identified. The movement pattern of elephants was studied based on footprints, dung piles, and feeding signs The GPS recorded routes were marked on a geo-referenced map of the area using a GIS program (Arc map10.8). The result revealed that the present wet and dry seasonal movement patterns of elephants were noted following almost the Erer and Gobele valley routes in the oromia region of the sanctuary. Based on the study results, the following inference is drawn: identifying and documenting up-to-date information on population size and age structure, and seasonal movement of African elephants (i.e., the migratory routes and foraging areas for complete protection to maintain the animal's natural migratory patterns without disturbance) in BES is important to build gaps in knowledge for conservationists to design plans for restoring the species and sustaining the elephant’s existence. Therefore, strengthening the capacity of management and enforcing laws can minimize intimidation and enhance opportunities.

The focus of this paper is to study the conservation threats on African elephants in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia. A simple random sampling method was used to gather data from sampled households. Total of 138 households were selected for interview nearby the study area, and qualitative survey was collected. Focus group discussion and site observations were carried out. According to the result showed, all respondents (100%) were perceived that the population explosion around the sanctuary was increasing for encroaching the land. Following human population, settlement (89.13%), human-elephant conflict (87.7%), and agricultural expansion (87%) through deforestation (84.7%) were the major threats that faced the sanctuary. The result also revealed that livestock grazing, charcoal production, poaching, less community participation, ineffective law enforcement, illegal (uncontrolled) fire, excavation of sands, and fuelwood collection were other discerned threats. Besides, less than (45%) of them were believed as hunting (i.e., other than elephants), lack of management capacity, ineffective stakeholders & partners involvement were brought less effect on present elephant conservation when related with other threats. However, only 22% of respondents were agreed with the existing management system. This might showed why the increased number and types of threats were observed in the sanctuary. Overall, this study disclosed the existence of conservation threats. Based on research results, the following inference is drawn: awareness creation for local communities and other stakeholders along with benefit-sharing for nearby communities around the sanctuary is important to lower the threats then conserve and protect elephant habitat and the values of the sanctuary. Moreover, strengthening the capacity of management and enforcing laws can minimize the intimidation and enhance opportunities.