Objectives

The overall objective of the project is to conserve Aloe ankoberensis and its habitat in situ and raise awareness of the local communities. The specific objectives are: 1: to undertake assessment of A. ankoberensis in potentially suitable areas (Suitability modelling); 2) to restore A. ankoberensis in habitats where the populations are decreasing; 3) to establish in situ sites for the conservation of A. ankoberensis and other species; and 4) to raise awareness about the conservation, sustainable utilization and uses of the species.

Major Findings

a. Core Ecological Threats

Recent field findings indicate that A. ankoberensis faces a severe and immediate threat of localized extinction, with restricted distribution in narrow ecological ranges in the Subafroalpine ecosystem of Central highlands of Ethiopia. The primary drivers of this ecological decline include: Habitat fragmentation - rapid agricultural expansion and the conversion of native ecosystems into communal grazing lands; Encroachment - growing human settlements and frequent livestock grazing on topographically isolated cliff faces; Resource Depletion - overharvesting by local populations, which systematically strips the endemic plant of necessary survival resources.

b. The Awareness Gap

Ecological data demonstrates an undeniable correlation between completely undisturbed terrains and the presence of healthy species populations. However, a profound lack of awareness regarding the endangered status of A. ankoberensis spans all societal levels. Local community members, regional Development Agents (DAs), and high-level district leaders lack critical information, leading local land-use choices to favor short-term agricultural gains over conservation.

c. Key Achievements & Institutional Alignment

Despite navigating an increasingly complex operational landscape, the project successfully executed its foundational components, creating a robust framework for long-term species protection. 

• Successful Project Launch: All milestones and baseline partnerships in the first six months proceeded seamlessly and strictly in accordance with the original operational schedule.
• Multi-Institutional Alignment: The project hosted a successful Inception Workshop, bringing together the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa University (AAU), and Debre Birhan University (DBU) to synchronize resources and define organizational roles.
• Stakeholder Mobilization: Deep institutional backing was secured across all partner networks, successfully bridging the gap between academic research and field-level conservation accountability.
• National Policy Compliance: To guarantee sustainability, all project components were aligned with Ethiopia's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and climate-resilient green economy strategies.
• Species Conservation Action Plan: To manage the species in-situ and ex-situ, with sustainable utilization, a species conservation action plan has been prepared.
• Field Guide: a field guide for the identification and assessment of Aloe ankoberensis has been prepared.In-situ Conservation: the in-situ site for the conservation of A. ankoberensis has been identified and discussions with local communities and administrates are in progress to carry out the demarcation process.
• In-situ Conservation: the in-situ site for the conservation of A. ankoberensis has been identified and discussions with local communities and administrates are in progress to carry out site demarcation and legalization.