Environmental Impacts, Land-Use Trade-Offs, and Sustainable Management Pathways of Eucalyptus Plantation Expansion in...

Eucalyptus plantations have increasingly transformed the Ethiopian landscape due to their high economic returns from timber, fuelwood, and household income generation. Their rapid expansion has become particularly prominent in smallholder farming systems and periurban areas. Despite these socioeconomic benefits, Eucalyptus plantations have raised serious environmental concerns, especially in water-scarce and biodiversity-rich regions. A comprehensive evaluation of their environmental trade-offs is therefore essential to support evidence-based and sustainable land-use planning.

This review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed literature and empirical studies on Eucalyptus cultivation in Ethiopia. The analysis focuses on documented impacts on water resources, soil properties, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning while also assessing reported mitigation practices.

The review reveals that Eucalyptus plantations exhibit high water consumption, often exacerbating local water scarcity and competing with adjacent agricultural crops. Soil nutrient depletion, increased erosion, and reduced understory vegetation are frequently reported, alongside declines in native plant and faunal diversity. Allelopathic effects further limit the regeneration of indigenous species.

Although environmental drawbacks are evident, Eucalyptus plantations contribute to carbon sequestration, fuelwood supply, and rural livelihoods. These benefits indicate the need for improved management rather than complete exclusion of Eucalyptus from farming landscapes.

Sustainable management approaches, particularly agroforestry and mixed-species systems, can reduce negative impacts while maintaining socioeconomic benefits. Integrating Eucalyptus with indigenous and multipurpose species such as Cordia africana, Faidherbia albida, and Acacia abyssinica is recommended to enhance soil fertility, maintain biodiversity, and promote ecosystem resilience.