Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

Ewunetu Tazebew; Fekadu Tiruneh; Yibeltal Anbes

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11

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Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

Ewunetu Tazebew^*

, Fekadu Tiruneh

, Yibeltal Anbes

Published in Science Research (Volume 13, Issue 6)

Received: 7 October 2025 Accepted: 20 October 2025 Published: 26 November 2025

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Abstract

Coffee-based agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees, crops, and livestock, plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystem services, enhancing soil fertility, conserving biodiversity, and supporting rural livelihoods. Ethiopia, as the center of origin for Coffea arabica, hosts diverse coffee agroforestry systems that combine indigenous management practices with multifunctional landscapes. Despite their ecological and socio-economic significance, research on these systems remains fragmented and localized, limiting a holistic understanding of their contributions to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience. This systematic review synthesizes 70 studies covering key coffee-growing regions in Ethiopia, including Southwest Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia, and Northern Ethiopia. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, data were extracted on woody species diversity, regeneration, carbon stocks, soil fertility, ecosystem services, and socio-economic outcomes. Quantitative synthesis revealed that shade-grown coffee systems maintain high woody species richness, support natural regeneration, and enhance carbon storage compared to monocultures or degraded lands. Qualitative analyses highlighted improved microclimate regulation, soil nutrient dynamics, and biodiversity protection. Socio-economic benefits include diversified household income, increased employment along value chains, strengthened community governance, and enhanced participation of women and youth. Comparative analysis with Latin America and West Africa confirms that Ethiopian coffee agroforestry delivers parallel ecological and livelihood outcomes, though it is uniquely embedded in semi-managed landscapes with strong reliance on indigenous knowledge. Critical research gaps remain, particularly in long-term monitoring of carbon dynamics, soil fertility, and biodiversity recovery, as well as in understanding genetic diversity, institutional frameworks, and gender-inclusive benefit-sharing. Strengthening policy integration, promoting shade-tree diversification, and supporting participatory management are essential to enhance both ecological and socio-economic outcomes. This review underscores the potential of coffee-based agroforestry in Ethiopia to contribute to climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, and livelihood-resilient landscapes, offering insights relevant for global sustainable coffee production initiatives.

Published in	Science Research (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11
Page(s)	148-158
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Coffee Agroforestry, Ethiopia, Biodiversity Conservation, Carbon Sequestration, Ecosystem Services, Livelihoods, Climate Resilience

References

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Tazebew, E., Tiruneh, F., Anbes, Y. (2025). Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review. Science Research, 13(6), 148-158. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11

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Tazebew, E.; Tiruneh, F.; Anbes, Y. Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review. Sci. Res. 2025, 13(6), 148-158. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11

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Tazebew E, Tiruneh F, Anbes Y. Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review. Sci Res. 2025;13(6):148-158. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11

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@article{10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11,
  author = {Ewunetu Tazebew and Fekadu Tiruneh and Yibeltal Anbes},
  title = {Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review
},
  journal = {Science Research},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {148-158},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sr.20251306.11},
  abstract = {Coffee-based agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees, crops, and livestock, plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystem services, enhancing soil fertility, conserving biodiversity, and supporting rural livelihoods. Ethiopia, as the center of origin for Coffea arabica, hosts diverse coffee agroforestry systems that combine indigenous management practices with multifunctional landscapes. Despite their ecological and socio-economic significance, research on these systems remains fragmented and localized, limiting a holistic understanding of their contributions to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience. This systematic review synthesizes 70 studies covering key coffee-growing regions in Ethiopia, including Southwest Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia, and Northern Ethiopia. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, data were extracted on woody species diversity, regeneration, carbon stocks, soil fertility, ecosystem services, and socio-economic outcomes. Quantitative synthesis revealed that shade-grown coffee systems maintain high woody species richness, support natural regeneration, and enhance carbon storage compared to monocultures or degraded lands. Qualitative analyses highlighted improved microclimate regulation, soil nutrient dynamics, and biodiversity protection. Socio-economic benefits include diversified household income, increased employment along value chains, strengthened community governance, and enhanced participation of women and youth. Comparative analysis with Latin America and West Africa confirms that Ethiopian coffee agroforestry delivers parallel ecological and livelihood outcomes, though it is uniquely embedded in semi-managed landscapes with strong reliance on indigenous knowledge. Critical research gaps remain, particularly in long-term monitoring of carbon dynamics, soil fertility, and biodiversity recovery, as well as in understanding genetic diversity, institutional frameworks, and gender-inclusive benefit-sharing. Strengthening policy integration, promoting shade-tree diversification, and supporting participatory management are essential to enhance both ecological and socio-economic outcomes. This review underscores the potential of coffee-based agroforestry in Ethiopia to contribute to climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, and livelihood-resilient landscapes, offering insights relevant for global sustainable coffee production initiatives.
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 year = {2025}
}

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AB  - Coffee-based agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees, crops, and livestock, plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystem services, enhancing soil fertility, conserving biodiversity, and supporting rural livelihoods. Ethiopia, as the center of origin for Coffea arabica, hosts diverse coffee agroforestry systems that combine indigenous management practices with multifunctional landscapes. Despite their ecological and socio-economic significance, research on these systems remains fragmented and localized, limiting a holistic understanding of their contributions to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience. This systematic review synthesizes 70 studies covering key coffee-growing regions in Ethiopia, including Southwest Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia, and Northern Ethiopia. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, data were extracted on woody species diversity, regeneration, carbon stocks, soil fertility, ecosystem services, and socio-economic outcomes. Quantitative synthesis revealed that shade-grown coffee systems maintain high woody species richness, support natural regeneration, and enhance carbon storage compared to monocultures or degraded lands. Qualitative analyses highlighted improved microclimate regulation, soil nutrient dynamics, and biodiversity protection. Socio-economic benefits include diversified household income, increased employment along value chains, strengthened community governance, and enhanced participation of women and youth. Comparative analysis with Latin America and West Africa confirms that Ethiopian coffee agroforestry delivers parallel ecological and livelihood outcomes, though it is uniquely embedded in semi-managed landscapes with strong reliance on indigenous knowledge. Critical research gaps remain, particularly in long-term monitoring of carbon dynamics, soil fertility, and biodiversity recovery, as well as in understanding genetic diversity, institutional frameworks, and gender-inclusive benefit-sharing. Strengthening policy integration, promoting shade-tree diversification, and supporting participatory management are essential to enhance both ecological and socio-economic outcomes. This review underscores the potential of coffee-based agroforestry in Ethiopia to contribute to climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, and livelihood-resilient landscapes, offering insights relevant for global sustainable coffee production initiatives.

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Ewunetu Tazebew

College of Agriculture, Food and Climate Science, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8319-6480
Fekadu Tiruneh

College of Agriculture, Food and Climate Science, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0009-0008-1993-4811
Yibeltal Anbes

College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6951-0154

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Tazebew, E., Tiruneh, F., Anbes, Y. (2025). Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review. Science Research, 13(6), 148-158. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11

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Tazebew, E.; Tiruneh, F.; Anbes, Y. Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review. Sci. Res. 2025, 13(6), 148-158. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11

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AMA Style

Tazebew E, Tiruneh F, Anbes Y. Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review. Sci Res. 2025;13(6):148-158. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11

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@article{10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11,
  author = {Ewunetu Tazebew and Fekadu Tiruneh and Yibeltal Anbes},
  title = {Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review
},
  journal = {Science Research},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {148-158},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sr.20251306.11},
  abstract = {Coffee-based agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees, crops, and livestock, plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystem services, enhancing soil fertility, conserving biodiversity, and supporting rural livelihoods. Ethiopia, as the center of origin for Coffea arabica, hosts diverse coffee agroforestry systems that combine indigenous management practices with multifunctional landscapes. Despite their ecological and socio-economic significance, research on these systems remains fragmented and localized, limiting a holistic understanding of their contributions to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience. This systematic review synthesizes 70 studies covering key coffee-growing regions in Ethiopia, including Southwest Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia, and Northern Ethiopia. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, data were extracted on woody species diversity, regeneration, carbon stocks, soil fertility, ecosystem services, and socio-economic outcomes. Quantitative synthesis revealed that shade-grown coffee systems maintain high woody species richness, support natural regeneration, and enhance carbon storage compared to monocultures or degraded lands. Qualitative analyses highlighted improved microclimate regulation, soil nutrient dynamics, and biodiversity protection. Socio-economic benefits include diversified household income, increased employment along value chains, strengthened community governance, and enhanced participation of women and youth. Comparative analysis with Latin America and West Africa confirms that Ethiopian coffee agroforestry delivers parallel ecological and livelihood outcomes, though it is uniquely embedded in semi-managed landscapes with strong reliance on indigenous knowledge. Critical research gaps remain, particularly in long-term monitoring of carbon dynamics, soil fertility, and biodiversity recovery, as well as in understanding genetic diversity, institutional frameworks, and gender-inclusive benefit-sharing. Strengthening policy integration, promoting shade-tree diversification, and supporting participatory management are essential to enhance both ecological and socio-economic outcomes. This review underscores the potential of coffee-based agroforestry in Ethiopia to contribute to climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, and livelihood-resilient landscapes, offering insights relevant for global sustainable coffee production initiatives.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Ecological and Socio-economic Contributions of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

AU  - Ewunetu Tazebew
AU  - Fekadu Tiruneh
AU  - Yibeltal Anbes
Y1  - 2025/11/26
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11
T2  - Science Research
JF  - Science Research
JO  - Science Research
SP  - 148
EP  - 158
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2329-0927
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20251306.11
AB  - Coffee-based agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees, crops, and livestock, plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystem services, enhancing soil fertility, conserving biodiversity, and supporting rural livelihoods. Ethiopia, as the center of origin for Coffea arabica, hosts diverse coffee agroforestry systems that combine indigenous management practices with multifunctional landscapes. Despite their ecological and socio-economic significance, research on these systems remains fragmented and localized, limiting a holistic understanding of their contributions to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience. This systematic review synthesizes 70 studies covering key coffee-growing regions in Ethiopia, including Southwest Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia, and Northern Ethiopia. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, data were extracted on woody species diversity, regeneration, carbon stocks, soil fertility, ecosystem services, and socio-economic outcomes. Quantitative synthesis revealed that shade-grown coffee systems maintain high woody species richness, support natural regeneration, and enhance carbon storage compared to monocultures or degraded lands. Qualitative analyses highlighted improved microclimate regulation, soil nutrient dynamics, and biodiversity protection. Socio-economic benefits include diversified household income, increased employment along value chains, strengthened community governance, and enhanced participation of women and youth. Comparative analysis with Latin America and West Africa confirms that Ethiopian coffee agroforestry delivers parallel ecological and livelihood outcomes, though it is uniquely embedded in semi-managed landscapes with strong reliance on indigenous knowledge. Critical research gaps remain, particularly in long-term monitoring of carbon dynamics, soil fertility, and biodiversity recovery, as well as in understanding genetic diversity, institutional frameworks, and gender-inclusive benefit-sharing. Strengthening policy integration, promoting shade-tree diversification, and supporting participatory management are essential to enhance both ecological and socio-economic outcomes. This review underscores the potential of coffee-based agroforestry in Ethiopia to contribute to climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, and livelihood-resilient landscapes, offering insights relevant for global sustainable coffee production initiatives.

VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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