Community Action for Biodiversity and Forest Conservation and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Wild Coffee Forests (CAFA)

The Afromontane cloud forests of the Kafa Biosphere Reserve in southwest Ethiopia are considered to be the origin and centre of Coffea arabica’s genetic diversity and home to many rare species. Together with the area’s numerous wetlands, they form a carbon sink of superregional importance. However, studies have shown that the habitats are threatened by overexploitation and climate change. In addition, the natural connectivity of the local population, in particular of young people to their natural environment and the loss of knowledge on traditional use and cultivation systems is notable. NABU, a German NGO, therefore started working towards climate and biodiversity conservation and supports the local population to independently ensure the long-term conservation of key ecosystems and their services for livelihoods. This paper gives an insight into Participatory Forest Management at the wild coffee forests at Kafa Biosphere Reserve. The authors outline the proactive planning process, constraints and limitations for management as well as lessons learned from practical implementation of the concept. The results may be used by practitioners such as representatives from NGOs, administrations of protected areas and communities.