Assessment of the erosion protection service and its economic value of the southwestern Ethiopia forest coffee

Abstract

Forests play an important role in erosion protection services, as erosion is a major threat to many canals and lower productivity in Africa. As a result, erosion modeling is critical for understanding the role of vegetation in erosion control. Therefore, this study was carried out in the forest of southwestern Ethiopia to assess the quantity and value of erosion prevention services using the InVEST model under the LULC scenario, as well as valuation using sediment removal costs and a productivity approach. The total soil loss from 1978 to 2018 was found to be 132,456,969 tons, with an additional loss of 162,050,779 tons expected until 2050. The cover factor has an effect on retaining soil earlier reach in to the stream, with an estimated soil protected from erosion of 104, 139,753,108 tons from 1978 to 2018, with a value of $14, 306,114 and $8,622,210 gain for Ethiopia from productivity progress. The downstream area saved $677,865,352 between 1978 and 2018, with an additional $408,545,451 saved from sediment removal costs until 2050. However, from 1978 to 2050, the net flow of erosion control benefit was approximately $22,928,325, with the forest accounting for 92.2% of the total. We conclude that the forest region in southwest Ethiopia has a substantially higher value for both upstream and downstream areas, and that both countries are responsible for maintaining this natural forest. As a result, governments in this region should pay special attention when done any land-related issues, and downstream countries should be encouraged to fund for this forest conservation.