Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

(Barrett-Lennard 2003). Finally, prolonged waterlogging of deposits of biotite and smectite, common
hydrothermal clays in Ethiopia (Teklemariam et al. 1996), could lead to toxic concentrations of Al3+ (FAO 2001).
Nevertheless, not all the glades in the forest seemed to be associated with mineral waters.
Water from artificial wells in Hawo and Addeye glade gave very small readings of conductivity
(0.01 mS and 0.05 mS, respectively), excluding any association with mineral waters. Horas may not
be important for the development of all types of glades in the Harenna forest.
Conclusions
This preliminary study of the horas and tabalas in the Harenna forest documents the social, cultural
and ecological importance of the horas in the park. Current patterns of use are strongly linked to
seasonality and the availability of grazing for livestock. Although the horas examined in this research
clearly fall within the park boundaries, they are viewed locally as common property resources and
are, de facto, open access. The use of the horas by local people residing outside the park appears to
influence the seasonal movements of the residents within the park but the conflicts reported appear
unrelated to the horas but related to other resources such as honey and grazing land. The sociocultural
roles of the horas are changing as reliance on livestock herding declines and the affiliation
with Islamic doctrines over traditional practices increases.
Horas are an expression of traditional ecological knowledge and of the strong coupling
between natural and anthropogenic elements in the Harenna forest. Further, they reinforce the
importance of the historical dimension to current use and the importance of engaging with the local
inhabitants to document and design relevant management initiatives.
Acknowledgements
Many people contributed to this work in various ways. Issa Hassan served as personnel and logistics
supervisor, and Aliyi Balda “Abba Jamila” was the team’s permanent guide. Ayub Suliman and Abdi
Mohammed were the interpreters and Hassan Aliyi, Taher Hussein, Kadir Gishu, and Gose Bonneya
served as guides. Husseni Batu, Mame Batu and Adam Hussein worked as the field cooks. We thank
them all for their contributions. Addisu Asefa and Mohammednur Jemal provided support throughout
our work in the Harenna and we thank the Oromia Agriculture and Rural Development Bureau
for permission to conduct work in the park. The Frankfurt Zoological Society Bale Mountains
Conservation Project provided important logistical support. J Hrdlicka constructed the map for the
publication. The work was funded by the Darwin Initiative of the UK (14-009).
<strong>Walia</strong>-<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Edition</strong> on the Bale Mountains 237