UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Yayu
General information
The Yayu coffee forest biosphere reserve is in the Illubabor Zone of Oromiya Regional State, in the south-western part of Ethiopia. The area is drained by small rivers like Geba, Dogi, Saki and Sese, which discharge into the Baro River which is one of the major tributaries of the river Nile. The biosphere reserve contains landscape elements of regional, national and international importance. The most important landscapes are forest, agricultural land, wetland, and grazing land. The biosphere reserve includes Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot and Important Bird Areas of international significance. The area is also of cultural and historical significance since it possesses many archaeological sites, ritual sites, caves and waterfalls.
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2010
Country
Ethiopia
Total population
154306
Area
Surface
167,021.00 ha
Total terresterial area
167,021.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 8.47 - Longitude: 35.82
Contact
Ecosystem-based network
AfriMAB
Ecological Characteristics
The Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve is situated in southwestern Ethiopia. The area plays a key role in the conservation of natural and cultural landscapes. The biospherereserve includes Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot and Important Bird Areas of international significance and one of the last remaining montane rainforestfragments with wild Coffea arabica populations in the world.The area is also of cultural and historical significance since it possesses many archaeological sites, ritual sites, caves and waterfalls. The core areas and buffer zone are considered as one of the Regional Forest Priority Areas(or Forest Conservation Area) and Forest Coffee conservation Site.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
The transition area is found adjacent to the buffer zone andit is composed of agricultural land, wetland, grassland,settlement area and fragments of forest land. All the managementunits (core, buffer, transition) in the proposedbiosphere reserve are contiguous; but there are five coreareas. About 154, 300 permanent residents live in the biospherereserve and mainly rely on agriculture.The designation as a biosphere reserve is expected to enhance ecologically sound and traditional agriculture, to foster ecotourismand to create new jobs in small businesses such as coffee,bee-keeping, spices and horticulture activities. Within thebiosphere reserve framework, local communities are familiarizedwith the wise use of natural resources and sustainable development techniques, and the implementation of conservation projects.Currently, two projects funded bythe German Federal Agency for Conservation and German Federal Ministry of Education and Research are being implemented in the proposed biosphere reserve: Conservation and use of the wild populations of Coffea arabica in the montainrainforests of Ethiopia and public awareness and environmental education project.
