Diversity, threats and conservation status of coffee forest in Ethiopia

Abstract

Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) has its centre of origin and diversity in southwest and southeast montane forests of Ethiopia. Moist evergreen Afromontane forests with the occurrence of wild Arabica coffee populations is commonly called ‘Coffee Forest’. Coffee forest maintains over 700 species of vascular plant and a diversity of wild coffee genotype. The genetic diversity of wild coffee populations differs within and between populations and regions. Coffee forest is part of the “Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot” and has great international importance for biodiversity conservation. The coffee forest is, however, threatened by increasing anthropogenic factor such as agriculture and settlement expansion. Climate change and global warming is also expected to threaten the distribution of the wild coffee populations and its habitat more than ever before. To address these threats, conservation efforts have been ongoing in the last two decades- through forest coffee genetic resource conservation, biosphere reserves and participatory forest management schemes. In addition to the ongoing conservation efforts, in-depth research and trait discovery for conservation and sustainable use of Arabica coffee genetic resources and its habitat is recommended.

Key words/phrases: Coffee, Conservation, Diversity, Ecosystem service, Ethiopia, Forest.