Abstract This study was undertaken to examine local perceptions of the impacts of small-scale tree plantations, notably of Acacia decurrens (J.C. Wendl.) Willd., in Ethiopia’s Upper Blue Nile Basin. A particular focus of our study was on the different dimensions of livelihood sustainability centering on economic, social, human, physical, and natural capital. The unprecedented expansion of small-scale tree plantations in degraded agricultural land can be attributed to farmers’ efforts to overcome the problems of limited income options and land degradation. However, these initiatives may have differential effects in terms of maintaining the sustainability of the natural environment and rural livelihoods. Interviews conducted with farmers revealed that the plantation system has yielded rich benefits by increasing their incomes, providing them with employment and improving their social lives. The plantations have also significantly improved degraded soils, thereby increasing natural capital. However, associated risks have also been found related to rising food prices, caused by a shift from annual to perennial crops and growing inequalities, with small farmers or those with limited financial resources having fewer options to invest in plantations. Moreover, in the face of such a positive overall impact of the plantation systems, the regulation of child labor, a potential issue, could become difficult. Apart from measures to address the issue of child labor, improved infrastructure and market access are required to help balance food security and plantation systems through functioning markets and financial systems that enable economically impoverished farmers to participate in this business. These findings offer important insights for research and policies seeking to sustain small-scale farmers’ tree plantation systems, land use, and rural livelihoods.

中文翻译：

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金合欢种植园对埃塞俄比亚农村生计的影响

摘要 本研究旨在调查当地对小规模树木种植园影响的看法，特别是埃塞俄比亚上青尼罗河流域的 Acacia decurrens (JC Wendl.) Willd.。我们的研究特别关注以经济、社会、人力、物质和自然资本为中心的生计可持续性的不同维度。在退化的农业土地上小规模植树造林的空前扩张可归因于农民努力克服收入选择有限和土地退化的问题。然而，这些举措在保持自然环境和农村生计的可持续性方面可能会产生不同的影响。对农民的采访显示，种植园系统通过增加他们的收入产生了丰厚的收益，为他们提供就业机会，改善他们的社会生活。种植园还显着改善了退化的土壤，从而增加了自然资本。然而，相关风险也与粮食价格上涨有关，这是由一年生作物转向多年生作物和日益加剧的不平等造成的，小农或财务资源有限的人在种植园投资的选择较少。此外，面对种植园系统的这种积极的整体影响，对童工这一潜在问题的监管可能会变得困难。除了解决童工问题的措施外，需要改善基础设施和市场准入，通过使经济贫困的农民能够参与这项业务的运作良好的市场和金融系统，帮助平衡粮食安全和种植园系统。这些发现为寻求维持小规模农民的植树系统、土地利用和农村生计的研究和政策提供了重要的见解。