Ecology and Development Series No. 10, 2003 - ZEF

Conservation of the wild Coffea arabica populations in situmore flexible and can be adjusted to fit the interests of the decision-maker. This flexibilityis made possible through the order weights (Table 6.4). The resulting different degrees ofsuitability allow further classification of the suitable areas into zones depending on theirlevel of suitability.The fact that only smaller parts (ca. 28%; Table 6.5) of the landscape representundisturbed forest in Yayu, coupled with the threat to similar forests at national level due todeforestation (Reusing 1998) shows the urgent need for conservation (Tewolde 1990;Tadesse et al. 2002). Hence, the core zone and buffer zone-I should be mainly managed forthe conservation of the wild coffee population and other plant species diversity, with somerestricted extractive use of non-timber forest products in the buffer zone-I.In situ conservation of biodiversity, especially of genetic resources, deals not onlywith populations in undisturbed natural ecosystems, but also with populations in themanaged systems, farmlands and homegardens where the species is grown (Brush 2000).Defining the managed forest areas currently used by the local people as a socio-buffer(buffer zone-II) is assumed to be the appropriate approach to conserve as well assustainably use the coffee population in the managed ecosystem. Involving the people inthe area can contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of wild coffee and othernatural resources in these zones, and also for better protection of the core and buffer zone-I.6.4.3 Implications for conservationThe area identified as the core zone is not completely surrounded by buffer zones; in someparts, there is no buffer zone between the core and the transition zones, and the core ishighly encroached by the farmlands. As can be seen in the final map (Figure 6.6), thesouthern part of the forest area is highly encroached and the buffer zones are mostly verynarrow. This is mainly because the topography of the landscape is easily accessible forfarming, and the area is close to Yayu town and other major settlement areas. However, fora better protection of the wild coffee populations and other plant species in the core zone, itis important to have this zone surrounded by a buffer zone. The success of conservationwithin the core zone also depends on how well the buffer zone is managed (Given 1993;Maxted et al. 1997). Hence, it is a necessity to restore some of the cultivated areas and123