Ethiopian drylands reforestation cuts erosion, boosts tree cover

In Ethiopia's Kembata Tembaro district, forest cover in assisted natural regeneration sites rose from 1.9% in 2015 to 22.18% in 2024.

Annual soil loss at those sites dropped from 13.19 tonnes per hectare to 9.49 tonnes per hectare over the same period.

Active tree planting sites saw forest cover increase from 8.5% in 2015 to 34.92% by 2024.

The study evaluated the REDD+ Investment Program, funded by the Norwegian government, using satellite images from Norway's International Climate and Forests Initiative.

Lead author Melese Wondatir Sisay published the research in Scientific Reports.