A GIS Application for Trail Suitability within

Bale Mountain National Park, Ethiopia

Jeff Dereume, Amir Kashipzha, and Jamie Fuller

The goal of this project is find the most appropriate area within Bale National Park to construct a new trail system. Various layers of data have been compiled in order to identify where suitable recreation areas could be located. Maps have been constructed indicating vistas, elevation, land-use, peaks, towns and rivers. From overlaying different maps there is conclusive evidence that there are more appropriate areas to develop trail networks than others. We have concluded that the final decisions for the trails should be made by someone on-site.

History of the Bale Mountains

Bale Mountains National Park is located 400 km south of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.  In 1974 the park was established to protect the unique and endemic flora and fauna of the African highlands.  BMNP is located between 6˚ 29’ and 7˚ 10’N and 39˚ 28’ and 39˚ 58’E covering approximately 2200km2.  The highlands of this area reach from 1500m to the highest point, Tullu Demtu (“Red Mountain”) at 4377m, which is Ethiopia’s second highest peak. 

Three dominate land forms can be observed, the northern slopes from 3000 - 3800m; the central plateau and peaks at 3800 – 4,400m; and the southern escarpment from 1,400 – 3,800.  The highlands were formed by volcanic activity in the Miocene and Oligocene periods which occurred 40-50 million years ago.  The occurrence of moraines and lakes were formed by a glacial period from 20 – 12,000 B.P. and also seen by the gently sloping north slopes into the eastern highlands.

The park was developed to protect one of the largest tracts of Afro-alpine habitats in Africa. Conservation is one way to protect threatened areas by growing populations and associated pressures and needs.  For most of Ethiopia’s history the Bale Mountains region was largely unpopulated due to the harsh environmental conditions. In addition, only one arduous unmaintained road linked the Bale Mountains to the rest of Ethiopia. The higher elevations were only accessible on foot or horseback, which greatly preserved much of the biodiversity in this area.   Today there is a road across the Sanetti Plateau, through the Harenna Forest to the town of Mena. Industry has popped up across this landscape, large grain and beef production sites are on the northern steppes of the mountains, a sawmill and two hydroelectric and irrigation systems have been implemented.  Such changes obviously stress the environment. 

When a socialist-military government ruled from 1974-1991 there was an increase in state run commercial farming in the lowlands which pushed many pastoralists into the higher altitudes.  The current democratic government overtook the socialist military in 1991 which caused a short civil war. During this time firearms were easily available and wildlife became the object of resentment over new implementations of laws and restrictions concerning grazing, firewood collection, and cultivation.  The amount of habitat loss during this time was considerable. 

Bale Mountains Climate

Bale National Park is dominated by areas ranging from high altitude plateaus to high altitude mountain areas.  The fluctuations in elevation throughout the Bale area create huge climatic variation within the park.  The area has frequent periods of high rainfall.  Common are periods of cloudy weather interspersed with times of intense sunshine.  There are three distinct climatic seasons, which all have associated weather patterns.  The seasons are subdivided into dry, early wet and wet seasons.  

The dry season lasts from November through February having little rain during this time.  This period is characterized by clear cold nights having substantial amounts of ground frost.  During the dry season, temperatures can reach as high as 30 degrees centigrade during the day, and may dip as low as -15 degrees centigrade after nightfall.  The suitable climate during the dry season proves to be the best time for walking and horseback riding throughout the park area. 

The early wet season is slightly warmer with less fluctuation in temperature, lasting from March to June.  This season is very similar to the wet season; however, precipitation is merely two thirds as abundant as is in the wet season. 

The wet season ranges from July through October.  This season is characterized having cool days and warm nights.  The “wet” title can be a little misleading as there are frequently bright sunny periods breaking up the afternoon rain showers.  The park can still be enjoyed during the wet season with the assistance of warm dry clothing.  Snow has been experienced during the wet season; however, accumulations do not persist for long periods. 

Bale Mountains Wildlife

Bale National Park is a wildlife conservation site within central Ethiopia.  The area contains abundant populations of multiple animal species some of which are endemic to the area.  Within the mountain regions of Bale National Park, you will commonly find large mammals such as the Mountain Nyala and the Semien Fox.  Here you will also find smaller rodents including rats, mice, and Giant Molerats.  The smaller animals may seem insignificant to the sightseer; however, they both modify the soil and vegetation ecosystem, as well as provide a food source for the fox and birds of prey.  Primates within the Bale area include the black and white Colobus Monkey, the Olive Baboon, and the Grivet Monkey. 

Moving up the food chain, the Bale area contains a large population of carnivores, including the Semien fox, the Serval Cat, the Egyptian mongoose, the White-Tailed-Mongoose, and the Spotted Hyena.  The park also contains an abundant population of birds, supporting more than 160 species including:  the Blue Winged Goose, the Rouget’s Rail, the Wattled Ibis, the Spot-Breasted Plover, the White-Collared Pigeon, the Thick-Billed Raven, the Love-Bird, the Yellow-Fronted Parrot, the Abyssinian Catbird, the Black-Headed Siskin, the Ruddy Shelduck, the Wattled Crane, European ducks and waders, the Steppe Eagle, the Kestrel, the Mountain Chat, and the Lammergeier. 

 

Vegetation

The mountainous vegetative regions within Bale Mountain National Park can be subdivided into three distinct topographic regions within the park.  The park contains a diverse vegetative population that stretches from the outermost boundaries of the park.  Taking a look at vegetation in terms of geographic location, we see that plant and shrub species are localized based on surrounding topography.  Particularly we will look at the vegetative sectors within the northern slope, central, and southern regions of the park.

The northern slope otherwise known as the Gaysay Grasslands is dominated by scattered woodlands interspersed with abundant montane grasslands.  The topography of this region varies with peaks rising up to 3000 meters separated by an expansive flat valley floor.  The area proves to be abundant with junipers which are nationally protected within Ethiopia.  The northern part of this region having a wetter climate reveals different localized species of Hagenia abyssinica and Hypericum revolutum.  The valleys that make up this region are populated with genera Ar temisia, Helichrysum, Ferula and Kniphofi. 

The central part of the park consists of sparse afro alpine vegetation.  The central region is slightly higher in elevation than the northern park; however, it exhibits some of the same vegetative communities.  The northern part of the central region is home to the same Juniper species that thrive in the Gaysay Grasslands.  Hagenia-Hypevicum occupies areas within the central region that are higher in elevation.  Moving south within the park, the higher areas are occupied by shrubs on the ridges, and Helichrysum moorland within the valley bottoms.  The mountaintops of the central region are characterized by Helichrysum moorland. 

The southern escarpment part of BMNP proves to have varying forests within this extent.  The southern region is home to one of the most expansive large stand forests remaining in Ethiopia.  The topography with this region varies drastically, and therefore provides diverse vegetation populations within this area.