Expanding Forest Cover Increases the Ecosystem Service Values of Dry Afromontane Forests in Tigray, Ethiopia

作者：Eskinder Gidey, Emiru Birhane, Paidamwoyo Mhangara, Medhn Gidey, Oagile Dikinya, Romano Lottering, Jemal Nasir, Amanuel Zenebe, Tewodros Tadesse, Solomon Hishe, Meley Mekonen Rannestad, Atkilt Girma, Sarah Teweldebırhan, Tsegay Wolde–Georgis · 发表于：Land Degradation and Development · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1002/ldr.5564 · 被引用次数：10 · 研究领域：Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management、African Botany and Ecology Studies、Land Use and Ecosystem Services

ABSTRACT Ecosystem service valuation is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of ecosystem functions. However, the ecosystem services provided by expanding dry Afromontane forests, which could show potential for conservation sustainability, have not been adequately quantified. This study aims to fill knowledge and methodological gaps by assessing the value of the Hugumburda Dry Afromontane Forest (HDAF) in Tigray, Ethiopia, using the Ecosystem Services Provision Index (ESPI), updated ecosystem service (ES) valuation coefficients, and the ES value (ESV) function. We applied the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) model to analyze provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural ESs. Satellite imagery from the US Geological Survey (USGS) over the past four decades, along with 240 control points, helped highlight the inherent values of the forest. Our results show that HDAF forest cover is expected to increase by 19.1 km 2 (3.8%) by 2030, up from 88.6 km 2 in 2020. Consequently, ESV provisions are projected to increase by 1.88 million US dollars annually, benefiting the local community if current conservation and expansion efforts continue. We found a significant correlation ( p < 0.01) between the ESV and the area expansion of forestland, shrubland, arable land, grassland, and water bodies. The ESPI values were highest in forestland and grassland (0.38) and lowest in water bodies (−0.51). HDAF primarily provides regulatory services, followed by provisioning, ...