The Gedeo agroforestry: evolution, characteristics, and components

The Gedeo agroforestry system has been in practice based on Indigenous knowledge, helping people overcome livelihood challenges, adapt to various land topographies, and mitigate the effects of global climate change. The purpose of this article is to uncover the experiences of the Gedeo people with Indigenous agroforestry methods and their contribution to environmental conservation, which shaped their identity and community, highlighting the importance of preserving such practices in the face of changing environments. It argues that environmental crises cannot be effectively resolved using solely modern methods or one specific environmental theory. Instead, the article advocates for a collaborative approach that integrates various practices and perspectives. This study identified that in contrast to the premise, the Gedeo have been farming land with a slope gradient of more than 30% without significant environmental consequences. They have successfully navigated the difficulties of farming an extremely steep slope that is especially vulnerable to severe erosion. This is evident from the fact that the unique agroforestry system of the Gedeo cultural landscape had been designated by UNESCO in 2023. Their agroforestry system evolved in response to various challenges, naturally and indigenously acquired knowledge, which helped them protect their environment and survive. Although these systems are essential for the survival of the Gedeo people and have been acknowledged by UNESCO for their role in environmental protection, research on this topic remains limited. Drawing on archival sources, including government documents, reports, news articles, and interviews with knowledgeable elders, this study highlights the role of agroforestry and indigenous knowledge in promoting systemic environmental protection while challenging conventional protection narratives. This study improves our understanding of environment through agroforestry by documenting its ecological impacts beyond personal and community socio-ecological consequences in Gedeo. It calls for integrating indigenous knowledge with environmental protection frameworks and agroforestry attitudes toward nature to effectively address the long-term effects of climate change and mitigate its environmental and socioeconomic damage.