Planting Single Tree Fosters Sprouting of Diverse Indigenous Species, Ethiopia’s GLI Yielding Impressive Results: Research

Addis Ababa, August 1¸2025 (ENA) -- Ethiopia’s ambitious Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) has yielded impressive results, according to a new study.

Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, a homegrown tree-planting campaign, launched in 2019 to address climate change, environmental degradation, and food security challenges at home and across the region.

Researchers have found that planting just one tree species can lead to the regeneration of more than ten local tree species, while also reclaiming degraded land and restoring habitats for migrating animals.

The study, conducted by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Ethiopia, provided insights into the tangible impacts of the Green Legacy program.

Project Coordinator,  Dejene Kassahun, shared the team's findings, highlighting the diverse benefits of the tree-planting efforts.

"We have been implementing this project in five regions of Ethiopia, and we have just documented the diversity and richness of plants in GLI tree planted areas," Kassahun explained. "We found out that planting one tree species will result in the regeneration of more than ten local tree species," he revealed.

The researchers also observed a significant improvement in water resources and the reclamation of degraded land due to the Green Legacy Initiative.

Additionally, the program has facilitated the restoration of habitats, leading to the return of migratory animals, such as the Colobus guereza and Gray Birds, to their original habitats.

"There are different birds and animals that are coming back because of this Green Legacy Initiative," Dejene said. "So Green Legacy has a lot of advantages."

The study also assessed the ecosystem services provided by the tree-planting efforts, including climate moderation, enhanced scenery, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Dejene also noted that the trees have become integral to the daily lives of local communities, who now use them for various cultural practices and negotiations.

A recent study conducted by the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture indicates that the initiative has significantly reduced soil erosion, which was once a considerable threat. In the past, it was estimated that 1.9 billion tonnes of fertile soil were lost each year.

Currently, average losses have decreased to 208 million tonnes due to the Green Legacy Initiative, which aids in preserving farmland and preventing siltation in dams, as reported by the ministry.