Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Menagesha State Forest is in West Shewa Zone. It is on the south-western slopes of Mt Wechecha and can be reached via either the Jimma or Ambo roads. Mt Wechecha is a massive (3,385 m) extinct volcano. The mountainsides are generally steep with ravines cut by streams and rivers. The southern base of the mountain is at c.2,200 m and flanks the Becho plains. Menagesha State Forest covers 9,248 ha, and in 1990 plantation forest comprised 1,316 ha and natural forest 2,720 ha, the remainder being open farmland, grazing and bare land. The natural forest is dominated by
Juniperus procera that grows to c.30 m, and forms a relatively open canopy.
Olea europaea cuspidata,
Allophylus abyssinicus,
Maytenus spp. and
Euphorbia ampliphylla form the understorey, and some
Podocarpus falcatus trees are scattered throughout the forest. At higher altitudes, smaller
Juniperus procera are mixed with
Erica arborea,
Rosa abyssinica and the endemic
Jasminum stans. Two giant herbs,
Lobelia gibberoa and
Solanecio gigas dominate the sides of the valleys, while the striking
Scadoxus multiflorus carpets the forest floor. The area all around Menagesha forest is intensively but traditionally farmed, for livestock and crops. The forest is popular with visitors.
See Box and Table 3 for key species. The site holds a particularly high number of Afrotropical Highlands biome species, among which are three Ethiopian endemics,
Agapornis taranta,
Dendropicos abyssinicus and
Parophasma galinieri. Other highland species of interest include
Tauraco leucotis,
Lybius undatus,
Zoothera piaggiae,
Pseudoalcippe abyssinica,
Oriolus monacha,
Cinnyricinclus sharpii and
Onychognathus tenuirostris. Also of notes are
Stephanoaetus coronatus (which breeds),
Apaloderma narina and
Poicephalus flavifrons.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Due to its close proximity to Addis Ababa, Menagesha State Forest has a long history of exploitation and reforestation. As early as the fifteenth century the forest was degraded and then replanted with
Juniperus procera on the orders of Emperor Zera Yacob. In the 1900s, large-scale removal of wood for fuel and construction was noted, with logging continuing until 1955, at which time strict protection was put in place and had been maintained until recently. Reforestation started as early as 1949, when logging operations were still in full swing. Since 1991, local people have increasingly exploited the forest. Uncontrolled felling of trees continues unabated and is of major concern for the conservation of the forest. The wood is sold in the nearby towns of Sebeta and Holeta. Wood for construction and fuel is taken to Addis Ababa where there is a high demand. Ironically, the recently rehabilitated Menagesha Forestry Training Centre, in the middle of the forest, is being used to train regional forestry staff in forest conservation and management. Other groups also use the centre for workshops, and with improved (all-weather) access to the forest it could be used throughout the year as a major environmental education centre for Addis Ababa. The 1-ha tree nursery in the village of Suba produces seedlings (both exotic and indigenous) to replant the forest and surrounding areas.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Menagesha State Forest (Ethiopia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/menagesha-state-forest-iba-ethiopia on 23/12/2024.
