Indigenous Agroforestry Systems as Climate-Smart Biodiversity Refuges: Evidence from Gimbi District, Western Ethiopia

Abstract
Climate change is increasingly challenging the sustainability of smallholder agricultural
systems, intensifying the need for land-use strategies that integrate production with
biodiversity conservation. This study evaluates the species composition, structural
characteristics, and diversity of indigenous agroforestry systems (IAFS) in Gimbi District,
Western Ethiopia, to assess their potential role as biodiversity-conserving, climate-resilient
production systems. Data were collected from 30 in 2020 systematically sampled vegetation
plots (10m x 10) to quantify woody species composition, structure, and diversity. Key
metrics calculated included the Shannon diversity index (H'), species richness, evenness,
height, and diameter at breast height (DBH). The findings reveal a remarkable species base,
documenting a total of 72 agroforestry plant species belonging to 43 distinct families. The
system exhibited high diversity, reflected by a Shannon diversity index (H') of 3.16 and an
evenness index of 0.74. Dominant indigenous species, such as Cordia africana and Albizia
gummifera, serve critical functional roles in providing shade and fixing nitrogen. This high
level of biodiversity confirms that IAFS not only enhance the stability and productivity
of smallholder farms but also function as vital repositories for indigenous flora. This
research supports the imperative for policy to formally recognize and integrate
traditional agroforestry practices as cornerstone strategies for climate change adaptation
and biodiversity conservation in Ethiopia and the wider Global South.
Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, ecological stability, ecosystem services, in-situ conservation, climate-smart agriculture, Western Ethiopia
To cite this article: Abakorma, S. J., & Kejela, D. E. (2026). Indigenous Agroforestry Systems as ClimateSmart Biodiversity Refuges. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18185729