Urban forestry and green spaces have less priority in urban planning. This research intends to assess the policy and planning of urban green spaces with their potential implementation status and challenges in planning and implementation. The general objective is to assess urban green space planning, policy, and implementation strategies and challenges encountered in Addis Ababa. The primary data was collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observation; secondary data from a literature review along with examining policy and masterplans of Addis Ababa has been used. The mapping of stakeholder and institutional arrangements is analyzed using stakeholders’ consultation. Triangulation is used for data validation and analysis. Existing policy and proclamations must be supported by legislative regulations and implementation frameworks that provide the basis for concrete action plans. The incentives stipulated by the forest policy are not implemented to the required level. The 10th masterplan of the city (2017–2027) shows that the city will increase its green area development and public recreation coverage to 30% by 2020. Principles, such as multi-functionality, connectivity, green-grey interaction, and social inclusiveness, are considered in the planning of the green space development in the 10th masterplan. The research concludes that regulations and directives are not clearly drafted by responsible bodies, and low enforcement is hardly applied with respect to the green space development of Addis Ababa.

As an effect of forest degradation, soil erosion is among Ethiopia’s most pressing environmental challenges and a major threat to food security where it could potentially compromise the ecosystem functions and services. As the effects of soil erosion intensify, the landscape’s capacity to support ecosystem functions and services is compromised. Exploring the ecological implications of soil erosion is crucial. This study investigated the soil loss and land degradation in the Lake Abaya catchment to explore forest landscape restoration (FLR) implementation as a possible countermeasure to the effects. The study used a geographic information system (GIS)-based approach of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to determine the potential annual soil loss and develop an erosion risk map. Results show that 13% of the catchment, which accounts for approximately 110,000 ha, is under high erosion risk of exceeding the average annual tolerable soil loss of 10 t/ha/year. Allocation of land on steep slopes to crop production is the major reason for the calculated high erosion risk in the catchment. A scenario-based analysis was implemented following the slope-based land-use allocation proposal indicated in the Rural Land Use Proclamation 456/2005 of Ethiopia. The scenario analysis resulted in a reversal erosion effect whereby an estimated 3000 t/ha/year of soil loss in the catchment. Thus, FLR activities hold great potential for minimizing soil loss and contributing to supporting functioning and providing ecosystem services. Tree-based agroforestry systems are among the key FLR measures championed in highly degraded landscapes in Ethiopia. This study helps policymakers and FLR implementors identify erosion risk areas for future FLR activities. Thereby, it contributes to achieving the country’s restoration commitment.

Climate change is expected to significantly affect agricultural production in East Africa (EA). In this study, we synthesized the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model calibrated and evaluated experiments to analyze the sensitivity of climatic variables on maize yield in the region. We used calibrated cultivar coefficients of locally adopted varieties in twelve sites across the region. Consequently, we generated synthetic scenarios of precipitation and temperature changes in line with the plausible projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to characterize the impact of climate change on maize production across the region. Our findings reveal that the impacts of climate change are heterogeneous and vary from location to location. The analysis points to adverse effects in the semi-arid zones, with maize production in Katumani (Kenya), Dodoma (Tanzania), and Ruzizi (Rwanda) expected to decline by -25% to -30% under an extreme temperature rise of + 3 °C and a 30% decline in precipitation. The results also reveal that increased precipitation will compensate for yield losses resulting from elevated temperatures in both arid and humid zones. The potential yield gain under increased precipitation and warming is 16%, 18%, and 5% in Katumani, Dodoma, and Morogoro (Tanzania), respectively. The study recommends site-specific soil, water, and land management adaptation strategies. Strategies for soil and water conservation are recommended for dry regions, whereas approaches such as varying sowing dates are recommended for semi-humid to humid zones. Nutrient enhancement and cultivar variation might be feasible in both contexts.

The urgency to restore landscapes to counteract deforestation, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss has resulted in a global commitment to landscape restoration. Many frameworks and tools have emerged for the design and implementation of restoration activities. The frameworks tend to focus on selected dimensions of sustainability, with the majority focusing on the ecological. Current frameworks miss a balanced assessment of (planned) interventions taking into account also the social dimension relating to participation and ownership as well as improvement of livelihoods. The objective of this review is to assess current frameworks for identification of strength and weaknesses and to derive an integrated Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) assessment framework model that shall help overcome current limitations. Applying systematic literature review, a total of 22 frameworks are selected and analyzed in-depth applying qualitative content analysis. Our review finds that frameworks vary with respect to their focus and restoration objectives. They also differ in relation to spatial and temporal scale, degree of stakeholder participation, consideration of ecological and social dimensions, monitoring and evaluation approaches, as well as provisions for exit strategies. Findings are summarized in form of an integrated FLR assessment framework, comprising six interlinked components: stakeholder participation, customization, time and scale of application, social-ecological balance, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and exit strategy. The proposed framework facilitates design and implementation of context specific interventions, balancing the nexus of social and ecological dimensions of FLR and acknowledges the need to also include reflection on learnings and planning of an exit strategy for long-term success. Graphical Abstract