Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Plant Biodiversity Conservation and Lost Opportunities in Ethiopia

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Plant Biodiversity Conservation in Ethiopia

  • 137 Accesses

Abstract

Ethiopia is endowed with heterogeneous landscapes. The diverse topography has a great impact on the spatial rainfall and temperature variability across the country. In this diverse topography, about 14 floristic regions are recognized in Ethiopia. A synthesis analysis of the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea revealed that there are above 5757 higher plants of which about 10% are endemic. The endemic plants reported from the flora area comprise 17 and 10% of the endemic and near-endemic species richness of the Horn of Africa. However, several new species to the flora of Ethiopia have been published after the completion of the flora project. Thus, the ongoing recording of new species elucidates that the number of plants reported in the flora of Ethiopia is by no means complete. Future protected areas need to represent the full variety of habitat types, species assemblages, ecological processes, or other natural features that are characteristic of a given region. In Ethiopia, protected areas are fairly representative though the lowlands are poorly represented. However, the irreplaceability and vulnerability criteria had been poorly considered during the establishment of the most protected areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Achiso Z (2014) The distribution of the Woody Vegetation along altitudinal ranges from Abay (Blue Nile) Gorge to Choke Mountain, East Gojjam Zone of Amhara Regional State. Addis Ababa University, North West Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Addi A (2018) The ecology, carbon stock, bee forage diversity in a moist Afromontane forest of Gesha and Sayilem districts in Kaffa zone, south west Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University

    Google Scholar 

  • Antonelli A, Fry C, Smith R., et al (2020) State of the world’s plants and fungi 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Bachman SP, Wilkin P, Reader T et al (2020) Extinction risk and conservation gaps for Aloe (Asphodelaceae) in the Horn of Africa. Biodivers Conserv 29:77–98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01870-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bacon E, Gannon P, Stephen S et al (2019) Aichi biodiversity target 11 in the like-minded megadiverse countries. J Nat Conserv 51:125723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2019.125723

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balemie K (2019) Floristic diversity of Jorgo Wato forest and ethnobotanical study of medicinal and wild edible plants in Nole Kaba district, West Wollega, Oromia region. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Baranow P, Mytnik J (2009) Two new species of Polystachya Hook. (Orchidaceae) from Africa. Plant Syst Evol 281:11–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-009-0176-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bauters K, Goetghebeur P, Asselman P et al (2018) Molecular phylogenetic study of Scleria subgenus Hypoporum (Sclerieae, Cyperoideae, Cyperaceae) reveals several species new to science. PLoS ONE 13:e0203478. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203478

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Belay B (2018) Vegetation distribution, land use pattern and soil seed bank composition along altitudinal gradient from Lake Tana to mount Guna, south Gondar, northern Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University

    Google Scholar 

  • Berhanu A (2018) Vegetation ecology and conservation Status of Evergreen Afromontane Forest patches in Awi Zone of Amhara region. Addis Ababa University, Northwestern Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • BGCI (2021) State of the World’s Trees. BGCI, Richmond, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Bisseret P, Dioli M (2005) Euphorbia bertemariae a new species from Ethiopia. Cactus Succul J 77:208–209. https://doi.org/10.2985/0007-9367(2005)77[208:EBANSF]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bisseret P, Specks E (2006) Euphorbia gilbertiana: a new distinctive dwarf succulent euphorbia from Southern Ethiopia. Haseltonia 12. https://doi.org/10.2985/1070-0048(2006)12[15:EGANDD]2.0.CO;2

  • CBD (2020) Zero draft of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. www.cbd.int/doc/c/efb0/1f84/a892b98d2982a829962b6371/wg2020-02-03-en.pdf. Accessed 11 Jul 2021

  • de Moura TM, Gereau R, Lewis GP (2015) Mucuna mooneyi (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae), a new species from Ethiopia. Kew Bull 70:32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-015-9581-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demissew S, Friis I, Weber O (2021) Diversity and endemism of the flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea : state of knowledge and future perspectives. Rend Lincei Sci Fis e Nat. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-021-01027-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demissew S, Mill RR (2009) Revision of the genus Seddera (Convolvulaceae). Kew Bull 64:197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-009-9112-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denu D, Desissa D (2013) Abundance and use of Vepris dainellii (Pichi-Serm.) Kokwaro, an Ethiopian endemic plant, in Melokoza woreda, Southern Ethiopia. Ethiop J Educ Sci 8:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Friis I, Demissew S (2001) Vegetation maps of Ethiopia and Eritrea. A review of existing maps and the need for a new map for the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Biol Skr 54:399–439

    Google Scholar 

  • Friis I, Edwards S, Kelbessa E, Demissew S (2001) Diversity and endemism in the flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea: What do the published Flora volumes tell us ? Biol Skr 54:173–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Friis I, Gilbert MG, Paton AJ et al (2018) The Gerire Hills, a SE Ethiopian outpost of the transitional semi-evergreen bushland : vegetation, endemism and three new species, Croton elkerensis (Euphorbiaceae ), Gnidia elkerensis (Thymelaeaceae ), and Plectranthus spananthus (Lamiaceae ). Webbia. https://doi.org/10.1080/00837792.2018.1505379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friis I, Gilbert MG, van Breugel P et al (2017) Kalanchoe hypseloleuce (crassulaceae), a new species from eastern Ethiopia, with notes on its habitat. Kew Bull 72:30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-017-9704-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friis I, Gilbert MG, Weber O, Demissew S (2016) Two distinctive new species Of Commicarpus (Nyctaginaceae) from gypsum outcrops in Eastern Ethiopia. Kew Bull 71:1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-016-9648-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friis I, Harris T (2013) Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. and Thonn.) Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), a disjunct Guineo-Congolian tree found in Ethiopia as dominant in riverine forest. Webbia 68:147–154. https://doi.org/10.1080/00837792.2013.857445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friis I, Phillips SM, Gilbert MG et al (2011) New additions to the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea in the families Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae (Legwninosae), Lamiaceae, Campanulaceae, Eriocaulaceae and Poaceae. Symb Bot Ups 35:107–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Friis I, Thulin M, Adsersen H, Burger A-M (2005) Patterns of plant diversity and endemism in the Horn of Africa patterns of plant diversity and endemism in the Horn of Africa. Biol Skr 55:289–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Gebrehiwot K, Woldu Z, Fekadu M, et al (2019) Classification and ordination of plant communities in Abune Yosef mountain range, Ethiopia. Acta Ecol Sin. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2019.12.001

  • Girmay M (2021) Ecological and ethnomedicinal study in Hirmi woodland vegetation and the surrounding districts, Tigray Regional State, Northern Ethiopia Mehari Girmay ecological and ethnomedicinal study in Hirmi Woodland vegetation and the surrounding districts. Addis Ababa University, Tigra

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurmessa F, Soromessa T, Kelbessa E (2013) Floristic composition and community analysis of Komto Afromontane Moist Forest, East Wollega Zone, West Ethiopia. Sci Technol Arts Res Esearch J 2:58–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hishe M (2019) Ecological, floristic and ethnobotanical studies in and around Wejig-Mahgo-Waren massif forest patches in southern Tigray. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman M, Koenig K, Bunting G, et al (2016) Biodiversity hotspots (version 2016.1). https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.3261807

  • IUCN (2017) The IUCN Red List of threatened species. In: 2017–3. http://www.iucnredlist.org/about/summary-statistics#Tables_1_2. Accessed 28 Jun 2018

  • IUCN (1998) 1997 IUCN red list of threatened plants. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassa Z (2017) Plant diversity and ethnobotanical study of medicinal and wild edible plants in Sheka zone, Southern Nations, nationalities and peoples regional state. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Kebede M, Yirdaw E, Luukkanen O, Lemenih M (2013) Plant community analysis and effect of environmental factors on the diversity of woody species in the moist Afromontane forest of Wondo Genet, South Central Ethiopia. Biodivers Res Conserv 29:63–80. https://doi.org/10.2478/biorc-2013-0003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kefalew A (2019) Ecology, carbon stock quantification and formulation of allometric models for some trees of Sele-Nono Forest, Southwest Ethiopia: implication for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Addis Ababa University

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelbessa E (2009) Three new species of Acanthaceae from Ethiopia. Kew Bull 64:57–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-009-9097-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelbessa E, Darbyshire I (2018) Six new species of Barleria L. (Acanthaceae) from Northeast Tropical Africa. Kew Bull 73:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12225-017-9725-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelbessa E, Demissew S (2014) Diversity of vascular plant taxa of the flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Ethiop J Biol Sci 13:37–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Maczulak A (2010) Biodiversity: Conserving endangered species. Infobase Publishing, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Mittermeier RA, Gil PR, Hoffmann M, et al (2004) Hotspots Revisited. CEMEX, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Mittermeier RA, Turner WR, Larsen FW, et al (2011) Global biodiversity conservation: the critical role of hotspots. In: Biodiversity hotspots. Springer, pp 3–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Pankhurst R (1989) Some notes on deforestation and afforestation in Ethiopia prior to world war I. Walia 12:10–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Paton AJ, Friis I, Demissew S (2018) A new species of Leucas, L. gypsicola (Lamiaceae), from gypsum outcrops in eastern Ethiopia. Kew Bull 73:59. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12225-018-9781-2

  • Peckover RG (2020) Pterodiscu an African Endemics. Cactus Succul J 92:4–11. https://doi.org/10.2985/015.092.0101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thulin M (2021) Two new species of Commicarpus (Nyctaginaceae) from the Horn of Africa. Nord J Bot 39. https://doi.org/10.1111/njb.03115

  • Thulin M (2009a) New species of Caralluma and Ceropegia (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae-Ceropegieae) from eastern Ethiopia. Kew Bull 64:477. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-009-9125-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thulin M (2009b) New species of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) from eastern Ethiopia. Kew Bull 64:469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-009-9138-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thulin M (2009c) Solanum pronum (Solanaceae), a new species from north-eastern tropical Africa. Kew Bull 64:491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-009-9141-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thulin M, Goyder D, Liede-Schumann S (2008) Cibirhiza spiculata (Apocynaceae), a remarkable new species from eastern Ethiopia. Kew Bull 63:617–624. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-008-9060-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thulin M, Vollesen K (2015) Blepharis gypsophila (Acanthaceae), a new species from Ethiopia. Kew Bull 70:26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-015-9578-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tilahun A (2018) Vegetation ecology and carbon stock of Wof-Washa Forest, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Vivero J., Kelbessa E, Demissew S (2006) Progress on the red list of plants of Ethiopia and Eritrea: conservation and biogeography of endemic flowering taxa. In: Ghazanfar SA, Beentje HJ (eds) Taxonomy and ecology of African plants, their conservation and sustainable use. Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, UK, pp 761–778

    Google Scholar 

  • Vivero JL, Kelbessa E, Demissew S (2005) The red list of endemic trees and shrubs of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Fauna and Flora International, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang SW, Boru BH, Njogu AW et al (2020) Floristic composition and endemism pattern of vascular plants in Ethiopia and Eritrea. J Syst Evol 58:33–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.12527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber O, Atinafe E, Awas T, Friis I (2020) Euphorbia veneficaTrémaux ex Kotschy (Euphorbiaceae) and other shrub-like cylindrically stemmed Euphorbia with spirally arranged single spines. Bull Soc Nat Luxemb 122:57

    Google Scholar 

  • Woldearegay M (2017) Floristic composition, structural analysis and land use/land cover change in Bore-Anferara-Wadera Forest. Addis Ababa University, Southern Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Samara University, Semera, Ethiopia

    Kflay Gebrehiwot Yaynemsa

Authors
  1. Kflay Gebrehiwot Yaynemsa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kflay Gebrehiwot Yaynemsa .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Yaynemsa, K.G. (2022). Plant Biodiversity Conservation and Lost Opportunities in Ethiopia. In: Plant Biodiversity Conservation in Ethiopia. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20225-4_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation