In response to the 2011 Bonn Challenge, Ethiopia has committed to restoring 15 million ha of degraded forest and savannah. This study focuses on rehabilitation of communal lands in Tigray through the use of exclosures. Exclosures, often established by using so-called social fences in Ethiopia, are widely recognized as effective in restoring vegetation. This study identified factors contributing to the success of exclosures. After selecting nine successful exclosures from three agro-ecological zones, data were collected through a formal survey of 324 randomly selected households, and from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Local communities recognize the role of exclosures in increasing site productivity and vegetation cover. However, this positive attitude is often challenged by shortages of livestock feed as a competing priority. Results of our analysis are presented here, bringing insights on factors affecting successful planning and implementation of exclosures and their wider adoption as a means of landscape rehabilitation.

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of farm households not only during periods of food shortage but also on a daily basis and provide a number of important dietary elements that the normal agricultural production fails to provide adequately. For instance, edible wild plants have been reported to have higher fat, proteins, minerals, and vitamin contents than cultivated species. They provide in particular vitamins A and C, zinc, iron, calcium, iodine, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folacin (Ohiokpehai 2003). Hence, edible wild plants are important for achieving nutritional balance in the diet and are particularly important for ensuring food security for women, children, and the poor, who heavily rely on them (Guijt et al. 1995, Teketay et al. 2010).In addition to these, during times of stress-such as crop failure, pest attack, and drought-edible wild plants serve as major sources of food. This implies that the consumption of wild plants is a necessary part of the strategies adopted by people in order to survive in harsh environ- Edible Wild Fruit Trees and Shrubs and Their Socioeconomic Significance in Central EthiopiaYigremachew Seyoum, Demel Teketay, Girma Shumi, and Melaku Wodafirash Research AbstractAn ethnobotanical study was conducted to investigate indigenous knowledge and socioeconomics of edible wild fruit trees and shrubs (EWFTSs) in Arsi Zone, Central Ethiopia. A total of 90 respondents were interviewed and consisted of men, women, and children who were selected by stratified random sampling. A total of 30 EWFTSs bearing species that belong to 20 families were identified. Age and gender distribution of respondents on the choice of four of the top five species were homogeneous indicating that promotion can be planned indifferently to all households. Indigenous knowledge on EWFTSs varied significantly (P < 0.05) with age groups and gender as well as area of respondents. Elder males appeared more familiar with EWFTSs. Income generated from sales of EWFTSs is, however, marginal. A considerable proportion of the community acknowledged food values of EWFTSs, and more than half preferred EWFTSs over cultivated commercial fruit, suggesting that efforts towards their integration into the current farming system are appealing. Realizing the resource depletion, about 54% of the respondents planted EWFTSs while 87% showed interest to participate in domestication programs. The study explored a great potential of promoting EWFTSs in Arsi Zone and assisting the country's efforts of ensuring food security.

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