Harehuwa exclosure

Harehuwa is an exclosure located in the Dogu'a Tembien woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The area has been protected since 1999 by the local community.

Environmental characteristics
Source:


 * Average slope gradient: 55%
 * Aspect: the exclosure is oriented towards the west
 * Minimum altitude: 2180 metres
 * Maximum altitude: 2300 metres
 * Lithology: Adigrat Sandstone

Management
As a general rule, cattle ranging and wood harvesting are not allowed. The grasses are harvested once yearly and taken to the homesteads of the village to feed livestock. Physical soil and water conservation has been implemented to enhance infiltration, and vegetation growth.

Benefits for the community
Setting aside such areas fits with the long-term vision of the communities, where hiza’iti lands are set aside for use by the future generations. It also has direct benefits for the community:
 * improved infiltration
 * improved ground water availability
 * honey production
 * climate ameliorator (temperature, moisture)
 * carbon sequestration, dominantly sequestered in the soil, and additionally in the woody vegetation

Improved ecosystem
With vegetation growth, biodiversity in this exclosure has strongly improved: there is more varied vegetation and wildlife.

Trees
The main tree species found in the exclosure are:
 * Sand olive (Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustifolia)
 * Gwarri (Euclea schimperi)
 * Lantana viburnoides
 * Natal rhus (Rhus natalensis)

Soils
The main soil type in the exclosure are Phaeozems, essentially a remnant of the time when the area was covered with natural forest.