Eucalyptus was first introduced to Ethiopia in the late 19 ^th century to address the scarcity of firewood and construction wood in the capital city. Since then, it has spread across the country and has become an important source of income for many households while also reducing the need for deforestation. Despite concerns raised by environmentalists about its eco‐hydrological impact, the plantation has expanded to cover a vast area of the nation, including farmlands and mountainous regions. Currently, around 506,000 hectares of land in Ethiopia are covered by Eucalyptus plantations. The growth of Eucalyptus plantations can be attributed to various socioeconomic, ecological, and biological factors, including the increasing demand for wood and wood products. However, this growth has also led to negative environmental consequences such as reduced surface and groundwater flow, decreased crop productivity, soil fertility degradation and depletion, and high water consumption, which can result in water scarcity. To address these environmental impacts, it is essential to select appropriate species and sites and implement proper silvicultural and land use planning before planting. Additionally, promoting renewable energy sources and planting environmentally sound fast‐growing indigenous and exotic tree species can help reduce the adverse effects of Eucalyptus on the environment.

Forests are crucial for climate change due to their significant capacity to act as carbon sinks. This study aimed to evaluate the carbon storage capacity of the Gantamie Natural Forest, which is in the Bure Zuria woreda in Northwestern Ethiopia. The study were employed systematic random sampling to collect field data across the study site. The main 20 m × 20 m plot was used for aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) measurements, while smaller 1 m × 1 m subplots provided soil and litter samples. Additionally, we utilized allometric models to estimate carbon stock across different carbon pools. The results showed that the mean carbon stock of AGC, BGC, LC, and SOC was 320.3t/ha, 64.1t/ha, and 1.50t/ha and 40.4 t/ha, respectively. The study underscores the significance of precise carbon stock estimates and the role of allometric models in achieving this objective. Gantamie Natural Forest had 426.3 t/ha of total carbon and was sequestering 1563.3t/ha of CO2-equivalent. Using the linear regression equation y = a + bx, the regression study between NDVI readings and carbon stock produced a model equation of Y = 1048.6x + 43.192 with R2 = 0.7958. After a month, the index's correctness was confirmed, and a model equation of Y = 1071x + 32.844 with an R2 of 0.7863 was found. Gantamie Natural Forest has the potential to store significant amounts of carbon, with above-ground and soil organic carbon pools having the greatest potential for building up carbon stocks. These results offer valuable insights into carbon distribution across different pools, aiding the development of strategies for carbon stock management to mitigate climate change. Sustainable forest management and use will be crucial in minimizing the temperature rise, and further research should focus on quantifying dead wood, shrubs, and herbaceous carbon stock of Gantamie Natural Forest to have more comprehensive information and strengthen management systems.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis is commonly planted on farmland in highland Ethiopia because of its high economic profitability. However, the expansion of woodlot plantations has led to a decline in crop growth and yield, which negatively affects food security. To address this issue, this study aimed to examine the effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodlot expansion on crop production and food security in South Achefer. Data were collected from 180 respondents using a three‐stage sampling technique for the four kebeles in the district. The survey data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and a binary logit regression model using SPSS software version 24. This study found that most households (87%) perceived a rapid increase in Eucalyptus woodlot expansion. The allocation of more land for Eucalyptus woodlot expansion was positively and significantly affected by family size, landholding size, total annual income, and availability of unproductive land. Additionally, the study revealed that Eucalyptus woodlots highly compete with nearly all grown crops for nutrients and moisture. This causes a reduction in yield from one to four quintals compared to the normal crop grown far from the Eucalyptus tree. Approximately three‐fourths (71%) of the sampled farmers did not obtain stable food annually and were considered food insecure. To alleviate food insecurity, this study suggests that stakeholders should focus on improving livelihood alternatives rather than expanding Eucalyptus woodlots.

Climate change poses profound global challenges, especially for agriculture and food security in developing countries. This study investigates the impact of climate change on household food security and assesses the effectiveness of farm‐level adaptation strategies in mitigating its impacts in the Enebse Sar Midir District of the East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. Data were collected through a household survey of 184 rural households using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS Version 26. The findings reveal that 85.9% of respondents observed changes in temperature, while 90.2% noted altered rainfall patterns. The key climate‐related challenges affecting food security included drought (79.3%), erratic rainfall, and flooding. Household food security was assessed using indicators such as the months of adequate household food provisioning (MAHFP), Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and household dietary diversity score (HDDS). The study showed that 33.7%, 42.9%, and 32.1% of households were food secure according to MAHFP, HFIAS, and HDDS, respectively, while the majority remained food insecure. Binary logit regression analysis revealed nine significant determinants of household food security, including age, family size, educational level, livestock ownership, and rainfall variability ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.1). Moreover, 82.1% of households adopted climate adaptation strategies, such as soil and water conservation, modified planting time, and improved crop management practices. This result points out the critical need to strengthen household‐level adaptation strategies and improve access to climate information to improve food security in drought‐prone rural areas of Ethiopia.

This study explored wetland transformations and their drivers in the Muga watershed, upper Abay basin, Ethiopia, over a 35-year period (1986–2021). It aimed to address gaps in understanding wetland depletion and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. Geospatial analysis was conducted using Landsat satellite imagery, with Land use/land cover (LULC) changes identified through a GIS-based approach and Maximum likelihood classification (MLC) method. The classification achieved an overall accuracy of 88.5% and a kappa coefficient of 0.85, ensuring reliable results. Statistical analyses further validated these findings, while surveys and key informant interviews identified primary drivers of wetland loss and assessed existing mitigation efforts. The analysis revealed significant LULC changes over the 35 years. Wetlands, forests, and grasslands declined by 12.42, 9.62, and 5.58%, respectively, while agricultural land and built-up areas increased by 26.54 and 1.09%. Population growth (98.1%), agricultural expansion (92.5%), and overgrazing (93.8%) were identified as the main contributors to wetland degradation. Mitigation efforts, such as establishing buffer zones and managing grazing, were found to be either ineffective or absent in many cases. This study underscores the urgent need for integrated land-use planning, strengthened policy interventions, and community education to address wetland degradation. It also highlights the role of advanced geospatial techniques in detecting and quantifying environmental changes. By addressing the drivers and improving mitigation strategies, this research provides a basis for sustainable management of wetlands in the region.

Purpose: Eucalyptus plantations have increasingly transformed the Ethiopian landscape due to their high economic returns from timber, fuelwood, and household income generation. Their rapid expansion has become particularly prominent in smallholder farming systems and periurban areas. Despite these socioeconomic benefits, Eucalyptus plantations have raised serious environmental concerns, especially in water‐scarce and biodiversity‐rich regions. A comprehensive evaluation of their environmental trade‐offs is therefore essential to support evidence‐based and sustainable land‐use planning. Method: This review synthesizes findings from peer‐reviewed literature and empirical studies on Eucalyptus cultivation in Ethiopia. The analysis focuses on documented impacts on water resources, soil properties, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning while also assessing reported mitigation practices. Results: The review reveals that Eucalyptus plantations exhibit high water consumption, often exacerbating local water scarcity and competing with adjacent agricultural crops. Soil nutrient depletion, increased erosion, and reduced understory vegetation are frequently reported, alongside declines in native plant and faunal diversity. Allelopathic effects further limit the regeneration of indigenous species. Discussion: Although environmental drawbacks are evident, Eucalyptus plantations contribute to carbon sequestration, fuelwood supply, and rural livelihoods. These benefits indicate the need for improved management rather than complete exclusion of Eucalyptus from farming landscapes. Conclusion: Sustainable management approaches, particularly agroforestry and mixed‐species systems, can reduce negative impacts while maintaining socioeconomic benefits. Integrating Eucalyptus with indigenous and multipurpose species such as Cordia africana , Faidherbia albida , and Acacia abyssinica is recommended to enhance soil fertility, maintain biodiversity, and promote ecosystem resilience.