Dataset Information

A social-ecological assessment of food security and biodiversity conservation in Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT: We studied food security and biodiversity conservation from a social-ecological perspective in southwestern Ethiopia. Specialist tree, bird, and mammal species required large, undisturbed forest, supporting the notion of 'land sparing' for conservation. However, our findings also suggest that forest areas should be embedded within a multifunctional landscape matrix (i.e. 'land sharing'), because farmland also supported many species and ecosystem services and was the basis of diversified livelihoods. Diversified livelihoods improved smallholder food security, while lack of access to capital assets and crop raiding by wild forest animals negatively influenced food security. Food and biodiversity governance lacked coordination and was strongly hierarchical, with relatively few stakeholders being highly powerful. Our study shows that issues of livelihoods, access to resources, governance and equity are central when resolving challenges around food security and biodiversity. A multi-facetted, social-ecological approach is better able to capture such complexity than the conventional, two-dimensional land sparing versus sharing framework.

SUBMITTER: Fischer J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8352376 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A social-ecological assessment of food security and biodiversity conservation in Ethiopia.

Fischer Joern J Bergsten Arvid A Dorresteijn Ine I Hanspach Jan J Hylander Kristoffer K Jiren Tolera S TS Manlosa Aisa O AO Rodrigues Patricia P Schultner Jannik J Senbeta Feyera F Shumi Girma G

Ecosystems and people (Abingdon, England) 20210728 1

We studied food security and biodiversity conservation from a social-ecological perspective in southwestern Ethiopia. Specialist tree, bird, and mammal species required large, undisturbed forest, supporting the notion of 'land sparing' for conservation. However, our findings also suggest that forest areas should be embedded within a multifunctional landscape matrix (i.e. 'land sharing'), because farmland also supported many species and ecosystem services and was the basis of diversified liveliho ...[more]

PMID: 34396139

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Project description:BackgroundArmed conflicts cause food insecurity and famine by triggering the disruption and destruction of food systems. The conflict that erupted in northern Ethiopia lasted from 2020 to 2022 and affected millions of people. This resulted in severe damage to the food security, livelihoods and social dynamics of communities in the Amhara region.ObjectiveThis study synthesized the impact of the conflict in northern Ethiopia on food security, livelihoods and social dynamics livelihoods in there zones, South Wello, North Wello and North Shewa zones of the Amhara Region. The conflict management response and the scope of humanitarian assistance are also analyzed.MethodsThe study used a qualitative case study design. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and observation. Data were collected from local authorities, representatives of displaced people, government and non-government officials who responded to the crisis and from the community members who were directly affected by the conflict. The primary data were supplemented by a review of reports from credible secondary sources. The research used thematic and narrative analysis techniques to synthesize the impact of armed conflicts on food security, livelihoods, and social dynamics in Amhara region, Ethiopia.ResultsOver 5.5 million people found to be affected by acute food insecurity and over half a million people were internally displaced due to the Northern conflict. The monetary value of the damage caused by the armed conflict is estimated at $500 million, due to the damage to basic services and the loss of 14 million quintals of agricultural production. The conflict has disrupted food systems by damaging agricultural infrastructure, causing market distortions and causing food shortages. Livelihoods were threatened by the loss of jobs and the destruction of private and municipal property. The destruction of the basic infrastructure such as health, water and sanitation, agriculture and market institutions inevitably have lasting negative impacts on the overall productivity of the community. Communities' religious and traditional values, informal social networks are affected by the impact of armed conflict, complicating communities' reconstruction efforts.Conclusion and recommendationThe northern armed conflict has significant negative impacts on the food security, livelihoods and social dynamics of people in the Amhara region. Recognizing the multiple impacts of conflict livelihoods in the region is a critical step in developing effective responses. Government, non-governmental organizations, and community-based institutions should play a crucial role in building community resilience and support post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Future studies can capitalize on this qualitative finding and could design a large scale assessment using quantified data to further provide evidence on post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

Dataset Information

A social-ecological assessment of food security and biodiversity conservation in Ethiopia.

Publications

A social-ecological assessment of food security and biodiversity conservation in Ethiopia.

Similar Datasets

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