#Ethiopia: Travel: Illubabor, a land of unimaginable beauty that is unknown, underdeveloped
By: Etenesh Abera
The evergreen and dense Yayo coffee forest has more than 450 plant species including wild coffee, spices alongside different indigionous trees. The forest is also home for 50 mammals, 30 bird species and 20 amphibians. Researchers also revealed that more than 100 endemic species of plants, birds and mammals are found in Yayo.
Sadly, 40 plant species, two mammals and two bird species are under the threat of extinction. The biosphere contains small rivers like Geba, Dogi, Saki and Sese which discharge to the Baro River, the main tributaries of the White Nile after joining Phibor in east South Sudan and becoming the main tributary for the Sobat River in Northeastern South Sudan.
According to a research paper reviewed by Addis Standard, Yayo coffee forest is unique, having the highest number of wild coffee trees in Ethiopia, being the most intact and undisturbed forest, its coffee breed being genetically diverse and related to other wild coffee breeds across Ethiopia, and having direct link to ancient Arabica type C breed.
Yayo forest coffee biosphere is surrounded by seven woredas. As of research the local community surrounding the forest are residing in the transitional zone of the forest. Semi forest coffee production areas, small coffee plantations, garden coffee and grazeland are the main sources of income for the local community. Production of honey and spices are other sources of income.