Landscape multifunctionality and dynamic aspects of ‘Jefore’ in the Western Gurageland, Central-South Ethiopia

Abstract

Cultural landscapes are living evidence of human-environment interactions and patterns of living. This research explores Gurage landscapes' multifunctional and dynamic aspects, mainly Jefore. The study employed an ethnographic research design, and data were generated from multiple sites and sources. Research sites were purposefully selected based on prior knowledge and socio-ecological parameters. Landscape multifunctionality and phenomenological approaches were used to understand landscape's human-environment interactions. According to the findings, Jefore is a well-structured, managed indigenous road network serving public and private roles with a width of 24–84 m and a length of ½ up to 20 km beyond the road network. Jefore remains evidence of human-environment interaction frameworks for living and socio-cultural and ecosystem services as well as phenomenological experiences and associations. As a public landscape, Jefore promotes and maintains village social networks, cultural practices, livelihoods, well-being, and socio-ecological resources integration. It regulates agroforestry practices, optimises resource utilisation, and allows home garden productivity. However, Jefore's socio-ecological landscape identity, landscape multifunctionality, and phenomenological associations are affected by land use and land cover changes, unplanned physical infrastructures expansion, and socio-ecological values crackdown. Largely, Jefore dynamics affected prior landscape designations, socio-cultural and ecological provisions, and long-established sustainable human-environment interactions. Thus, to maintain Jefore's landscape identities and sustainability, micro and macro landscape interventions need to respect and recognize its socio-ecological essence and multifunctionality.

Keywords

• Gurage cultural landscapes
• Jefore
• Landscape multifunctionality
• Dynamics
• Implications