Church forests in north Gonder administrative zone, northern Ethiopia

In the northern highlands of Ethiopia, patchy remnants of old-aged Afromontane forests can be found around the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Churches (EOTC). These forests are sanctuaries for different plants and animals that have disappeared in most parts of northern Ethiopia. Studies and documented information on their bio-physical features and socio-economic setting are either scanty or totally lacking. Vegetation and socio-economic surveys were carried out in eight of the church forests in the North Gonder Administrative Zone, Northern Ethiopia to record * the size, * standing stock and plant diversity of the forests, * regeneration status of woody plants, * the role of the EOTC in the conservation of the forests, * the benefits to churches from the forests, * histories of the church forests, * attitudes of local communities and stakeholders towards the church forests and * strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats from EOTC in the conservation of the forest resources. Recommendations that could enhance the role of EOTC in the conservation of forest resources and their associated biodiversity are suggested