Impacts of Forest Biosphere Reserve Zonation on Forest Conservation in Tropical Reserves: A Case Study of Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve, Southwest Ethiopia

The Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve (YCFBR) in Southwest Ethiopia is critical for the local economy and global environmental sustainability. However, the reserve faces significant challenges due to land use and land cover (LULC) changes driven by anthropogenic disturbances. Standardized data on landscape dynamics and forest ecosystem services, particularly for YCFBR is essential for effective management of the reserve. This research investigated the spatial and temporal LULC dynamics of the YCFBR over a span of 26 years (1996–2022) by analyzing Landsat satellite imagery from 1996, 2010, and 2022, categorizing LULC into six classes. These are dense forest, farmland, grazing land, open forest, settlement, and shrub land. Starting our study from 1996 allows direct comparison between pre-reserve (1996–2010) and after the establishment of the biosphere reserve (2010–2022). The results showed that, before biosphere establishment dense forest land decreased by 6,947.75 ha (−5.02%) (1996–2010), then increased to 6,094.67 ha (4.40%) after biosphere establishment (2010–2022), resulting in a net gain of 29,411.4 ha (21.22%) over the entire study period. Similarly, open forestland experienced a decline of 24,218.46 ha (−17.49%) pre-establishment, followed by an increase to 23,017.29 ha (16.62%) post-establishment, with a negligible net change of 33.7 ha (0.02%). These results underscore the effective afforestation efforts observed since the biosphere’s designation. Significant differences in species richness across the reserve’s zones were also identified, with the core zone exhibiting the highest diversity compared to lower diversity in buffer and transitional zones. Key drivers of afforestation include participatory forest management, and national green development initiatives. Conversely, major deforestation drivers include agricultural expansion, overgrazing, illegal logging, the Yayu fertilizer industry, rock and coal mining activities, and investments lacking Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). This study emphasizes the positive implications of zonation for forest conservation and the vital role of community involvement in sustainable forest management. Therefore, zonation-based and communities’ livelihood assessments to modify forest management to suit unique needs of each forest zone is essential for promoting sustainable forest management (SFM) practices in the area. Furthermore, it highlights the need for pre-project social assessments, alternative livelihoods, and heightened awareness among local communities and government stakeholders to mitigate deforestation impacts and promote conservation.