User:Riennn/Abuna Yosef Community Conservation Area

Abuna Yosef Community Conservation Area ... Huddled in the northeastern highlands of Ethiopia, the Abune Yoseph Community Conservation Area (ACCA) is the hidden jewel of Ethiopian birds and mammals. Located only a days walk from the rock hewn churches of Lalibela, Abune Yoseph is far enough from the bustle of urban life that time fades into the slower pace of a traditional village. The Afro-montane forest is amongst the region’s most pristine and secluded natural wonders offering breathtaking views, endemic birds and wildlife species including the iconic Ethiopian wolf and gelada as well as the third highest peak (4,220m) in the country.

The plateau itself boasts an unspoiled highland environment bursting with unique flora and fauna. Abune Yospeh is endowed with 43 species of mammal, including seven of the 32 Ethiopian endemics. Over a quarter of all of the birds found in Ethiopia can be seen in Abune Yoseph.

Location
Covering some 7,000 hectares of Afro-alpine habitat and spectacular scenery, the Abune Yoseph Community Conservation Area (12°12’N, 39°12’E) is found north of the city of Lalibela in the Amhara National Regional State in the North Wollo Zone and Lalibela Woreda.

The Abune Yospeh massif, with a maximum altitude of 4,220 m, is placed on the very extreme of the northeastern edge of the Ethiopian highlands. It is part of the mountainous system surrounding and defining the upper Takezze River, and is limited to the east by the fault escarpment of the Rift Valley depression. The ridge continues northwards to the Tigrean Plateau through lower systems and westwards to the Simien Mountains (4,600 m), which is connected by a chain of lower mountain systems (1,000–3,000m). Located just a two hour drive or a one and half day trek (one day if in peak condition) from the medieval city of Lalibela, Abune Yoseph is an ideal destination in its own right as well as perfectly located to make a detour from Lalibela. Furthermore it is a point of interest off the beaten path of the historical route, which allows you to experience the Ethiopia rich in natural heritage.

Climate
The dry season in Abune Yoseph lasts from mid-September to May, while the rainy season is from June to early September. Annual rainfall averages 1,400 millimeters and occurs mostly from July to September. Short rains may fall at any time of the year, but are most likely in March. Temperatures range from -5 degrees Celsius to 23 degrees Celsius and winds are relentless. The area is malaria free.

Geology and Glaciation
The highlands of Ethiopia were formed from volcanic eruptions 70 to 5 million years ago that deposited a thick layer of basalt (volcanic rock) up to 3,000 meters deep in some places. During the Pleistocene period (2.6 million – 11,700 years ago) the highlands were glaciated and some areas were glaciated up to 10,000 years ago. Today, the area is characterized by steep cliffs and jagged peaks. The area’s diverse topography includes several high plateaus surrounded by gigantic eroded abysses dotted with the three highest peaks: the Big Zigit (4,080 m), the Small Zigit (4,035 m) and the Abune Yospeh (Rim Gedel) peak (4,220 m).

Habitat
The area’s diverse topography includes mountain chains cross cut by gorges and valleys that offer breathtaking views. The first section of ACCA has a rugged topography with dotted peaks with large crags surrounded by gorges and very steep slopes, where rocky blocks and stones are scattered all over. Rim Gedel or Abune Yoseph peak dramatically divides the steep northern slopes and the plains. The western part is dominated by large, vertical cliffs and very steep slopes. The degree of humidity is high and there are several streams traversing the area.

Fauna
There are 43 known species of mammal belonging to 19 families and nine orders on the Abune Yoseph massif. This means that 16% of the terrestrial mammal species, 49% of families and 69% of the orders found in Ethiopia. Furthermore, of the 32 species of Abyssinian endemic mammals, seven can be found in Abune Yoseph, equaling 22%. Ethiopian endemic mammals found in Abune Yoseph include: Bailey’s shrew, gelada, Ethiopian wolf, Starck’s hare and two other rodents.

Flora
While the high plain of the Abune Yoseph plateau has been converted into farmland over the past century, the slopes of the mountain ranges are still covered by natural forest, changing composition with altitude. The unique Afro-montane vegetation formations are the main attraction of the area.

The Abune Yoseph massif is made up of a diversity of vegetation types including bushlands, montane dry forests in the lower altitude areas and Afro-alpine grasslands. The massif is made up of three main ecosystems: the montane savannah-woodland, the montane dry forest and the Afro-alpine ecosystem, which exist in altitudinal belts from 2,000 to 4,220 meters. All of these ecosystems suffer as a result of human intervention by means of agriculture and livestock grazing, although the higher altitudes suffer to a lesser extent.

Altitude between 2,950 m and 3,300 m, corresponds to the upper level of the montane dry forest ecosystem. The dominant species is Erica arborea, but Hypericum revolutum (St. John’s wort) and Rosa abyssinica (the only indigenous rose in Africa), are relatively widespread and common. The Afro-montane forest, placed on the northwestern slope, densely vegetated and enclosed within the Abi Jacula escarpment, provides a relatively high degree of humidity in relation to the drier surroundings. The forest sustains a large diversity of mammals and birds. Between 3,300 and 3,600 m, tall grasses, giant lobelias and different thistles become more frequent. Moving upwards from 3,600 m to 4,285 m, the vegetation changes rather abruptly into moorlands covered with the shrubby vegetation of Euryops pinifolius (Charenfe). The communities living adjacent to Abune Yospeh Community Conservation Area use this vegetation in great amounts as firewood. As the altitude increases the vegetation cover is scattered with the endemic giant lobelias (Lobelia rhynchopetalum) and the torch lily or red-hot poker.

Avifauna
Of some 860 species of bird found in Ethiopia, 221 species from 48 families and 16 orders have been identified on the Abune Yoseph massif. This encompasses 24% of the bird species of Ethiopia, 51% of the families and 70% of the orders. Of the 16 species of birds endemic to Ethiopia, seven, or 43%, can be found on the massif. The Abune Yoseph area could be considered the second most important bird area in the country. Interestingly, The Abune Yoseph Mountains also attracts a few pairs of Golden Eagles - a species that is most common in Bale Mountains.

Ethiopian endemic birds that can be seen in Abune Yoseph include: the yellow-fronted parrot (Poicephalus flavifrons), Erlanger’s lark (Calandrella erlangeri), Abyssinian longclaw (Macronyx flavicollis), Abyssinian catbird (Paroplasma galinieri), black-headed siskin (Serinus nigriceps), Ankober serin (Serinus ankoberensis) and blue-winged goose (Cyanochen cyanopterus),

Furthermore, Ethiopia is home to 36 threatened species, 2 endangered, 14 vulnerable, 16 near threatened and four data deficient species. Nine threatened species (25%), one endangered (50%), three vulnerable (21%), four near threatened (25%) and one data deficient (25%) species have been identified on the Abune Yoseph massif.

The People of Abune Yoseph
Livelihoods

While the plain is under extensive cultivation of the major crops of barley and wheat, the residents mostly practice livestock herding.

The Afro-montane vegetation has been modified by human activity for many years, however people still use the area for traditional and medicinal purposes. However, unfortunately indigenous knowledge about effects of plants for treating illnesses and injuries of both humans and animals is fading. Plants used for medicinal purposes include wild asparagus (Asparagus africanus), Clematis species, torch lily (Kniphofia foliosa), thyme (Thymus schimperi) bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and giant lobelia (Lobelia rhynchopetalum).

Many plants are also used apart from medicinal purposes. Guassa grass (Festuca abyssinica) is used to build houses as well as to make rope.

History
The Abune Yoseph area is rich in local culture and legends. One legend, however, holds especially strong. In the 14th century Saint Abune Yospeh, a teacher of the bible in a church school was traveling the Wollo area preaching the gospel. Eventually, he arrived in Abune Yospeh area where he and his family established the Abune Yospeh church and remained for quite sometime. However, they were troubled by the problematic relationship between humans and geladas. This was highlighted by an event which still holds according to the local belief.

''A monk encountered a small boy looking after cropland and crying. When the monk asked the boy what was wrong, the boy replied that his mother had passed away and he wasn’t able to go to the funeral because his father had instructed him to stay and watch over the farm to keep the geladas from eating the newly sprouted crops. His father warned that if he left, the monkeys would eat their yearly seed. Upon hearing this, the monk offered to watch over the land so the boy could attend his mother’s funeral. When the boy left, the monkeys approached. The monk sternly told them that the local people’s farmland was not their territory, and instead they should remain in the grasslands of the mountains. The next day, the monk held a meeting on the plateau – the geladas on one side, the village on the other and the monk in between. The monk proclaimed that during harvest time, the local people should not collect the residual crops but instead leave them for the geladas who would be free to eat them once the harvesting was done. Additionally, after sifting to separate the seed form straw, the local people should not collect the seeds that spilled, and they would become available to the geladas after harvest. The monk told the geladas that from plowing to harvest they were not allowed on the farms to eat and in return, the local people would not graze their livestock on the mountain grasses where the geladas ate. Since then, the geladas and local people have respected their promises. You may even see geladas on the boundaries of farms, although you won’t see them eating crops. This story is summarized on a goatskin painting in the Abune Yoseph cave church.''

The human gelada conflict in the Abune Yoseph massif is controlled and addressed by the strong belief that local people hold in this legend.