The Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Conservation Practices in Ethiopia: A Systematic Literature Review

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is an integral part of indigenous cultures in Ethiopia's diverse landscapes, offering valuable insights into sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation. A comprehensive search strategy using multiple databases (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science) was employed to identify relevant studies. Studies were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria and analysed quantitatively where possible. The analysis revealed that TEK is predominantly applied in agroforestry practices, with a significant proportion (75%) of studies highlighting its effectiveness in soil conservation and water management. TEK plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficacy of conservation efforts, particularly through traditional knowledge-based agricultural systems. Policy makers should integrate TEK into conservation strategies to ensure their relevance and effectiveness in promoting sustainable land use practices. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.