Staff Profile Page

About

Dr. Asmamaw Alemu Abtew is an Associate Professor of Forest Socioeconomics at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, with over 20 years of professional experience in forestry research, higher education, and academic leadership. He earned his PhD in Forest and Nature for Society from Technische Universität Dresden (Germany) and the University of Padua (Italy) through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Degree Program. Dr. Asmamaw has authored and co-authored 70+ peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports. He has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on more than 15 national and internationally funded research projects and has supervised 18 PhD students and 60+ MSc students.

Professional Experience

• Associate Professor, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Gondar 2020- present)

• Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Gondar (2016-2020)

• Academic Staff (65% employment), Technische Universität Dresden (2010-2013)

• Coordinator, CHAINS Project, Technische Universität Dresden (2014-2016)

• Lecturer, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Gondar (2009-2010)

• Researcher, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute (EIAR), Forestry Research Center, Addis Ababa (2004-2009)

• Forestry and Wildlife Expert, North Gondar zone, Ethiopia (1997-2000)

Academic Administrative and Leadership Positions • Founding Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Gondar (2009-2010)

• Coordinator, University of Gondar Climate Change Research Center (2017)

• Vice Dean, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (2017-2021)

• Director of Postgraduate Programs, University of Gondar (2021-2024)

Service in standing committees at the university of Gondar • Member of the UOG Academic Standards and Curriculum Review Standing Committee (ASCRC) (2021-2024)

• Member of the University of Gondar Senate (2021-2024)

• Member, Postgraduate, Research and Community Service Committee (PGRCSC) (2024)

• Member of the University of Gondar promotion committee (2022-2024)

• Chairperson, Academic staff recruitment and Promotion standing committee of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and Member of the Academic unit Council (2017-2021)

• November 2016 to present: Member of the Department council (DUC) and Department Graduate Council (DGC) of Department of Forestry (2016-present)

Selected academic contributions

1) Led the establishment and launching of the faculty of Agriculture (2009/10) in the university of Gondar

2) Led the curriculum development and review of the first BSc (BSc in natural Resources Management, BSc in Rural development and Agricultural Extension, BSc in Plant sciences) curricula of the college (2009/10 )

3) Led the establishment of the Department of Forestry

4) Curriculum development and review – led the curriculum development and validation workshops. Unique and demanded graduate programs in forestry such as PhD in Forest and Livelihood (FOLI), MSc in Forest Management and Utilization (FoMU), MSc in Forest and Nature Conservation (FoNaC), MSc in Agroforestry, MSc in Forest and Climate Change (FCC),

5) Effectively thought several graduate program courses (master’s and PhD Courses)

• Effective supervision and mentorship of graduate (master’s and PhD) students: Supervised 18 PhD students (9 graduated and 9 ongoing) in different departments across colleges (Forestry, Biology, Economics, Development and Environment), Supervised 2 PhD students as a collaboration and partnership efforts with other institutions (Hawassa University, Swedish Agricultural university), Supervised more than 60 masters students in different departments of the College of Agriculture and environmental sciences and other colleges, Supervised three master’s students as a collaboration and partnership efforts with other international and inland institutions (TUD, BDU)

6) Provided training courses for graduate students – reference management, reference management software, research methods, scientific writing

7) Examined more than 35 masters’ at UOG, Bahir Dar University and Wollo University and four PhD dissertation at UOG, Bahir Dar university and Hawassa university

8) Established networks and partnership that attract and benefit graduate students-Swedish Agricultural University (SLU), University of Valladolid (Spain), Technical University of Dresden (TUD, Germany), Ethiopian Forestry Development (EFD), Tree Aid international, SUNARMA, Amhara Forest Enterprise, GIZ, SUTROFOR associate partner, MediFor associate partner

9) Led and Contribute to the development and review of Key strategic documents of the University of Gondar such as the Research and Publication guideline, guideline for Enrollment of international students, Institutional Autonomy Document, Roadmap for the UOG research university differentiation, Policy and strategy of the UOG Internationalization.

Grants and Awards

5. Selected Research and development project grants 1. Gender and climate change: perception, vulnerability and agriculture-related adaptation preferences among male and female headed households in Northwest Ethiopia. University of Gondar/University of Antwerp , VLIRous (Natalia H., Tewelede G., Asmamaw A. Tensea B.) https://hdl.handle.net/10067/1904240151162165141 2022-2023

2. Market Driven Afforestation: Trajectories in social resilience and environmental sustainability under land-use intensification. https://internt.slu.se/en/news-originals/2018/12/market-driven-afforestation/ The Swedish research Council (VR) , SLU ( Erik K, Jennie B., Asmamaw A, Fantaw Y, ), 2019-2024

3. Restoration of Sacred Forests and Degraded Forest Landscapes for Enhanced Carbon Sequestration, Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Improvement (RSDL_CCLI), Forest Sector transformation Unit (FSTU) of Ethiopian Forest development (EFD) ( Asmamaw A. PI) , 2021-2024

4. Promoting Sustainable dry forest Management for Livelihood Improvement and Environmental Resilience in North-west lowlands of Amhara, Ethiopia (PrSMa- LIEnR), University of Gondar, (Asmamaw A. PI) 2022-2026

5. Participatory selection, characterization and domestication of underutilized high value wild edible tree species in the combretum-terminalia woodland, University of Gondar, (Asmamaw A. PI), 2020-2021

6. Domestication and promotion of underutilized high value dry forest tree species and Agroforestry practices in West Gondar, Ethiopia. University of Gondar, ( Kirubel M. Asmamaw A),2022-2024.

7. Improving the management and performance of smallholder plantations in the highlands of Amhara region Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC), (Asmamaw A. et al.), 2020-21.

8. Conservation through utilization: market chain development of high value forest products in the northwest lowlands of Amhara region, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC), (Asmamaw A. et al.), 2020-21.

9. CHAnces IN Sustainability: promoting natural resource-based product chains in East Africa (CHAINS) , Federal Ministry of Education and Research, (COI and coordinator), 2013-2016.

10. Development and validation of species and site specific allometric models for combretum-terminalia woodland species in the lowlands of Northwest Amhara, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC) (Asmamaw A. et al.), 2020-21.

11. Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure Governance for Sustainable Urban Development in Regio- metropolitan Cities of Amahara Region and Addis Ababa (MGIG) (CO-PI), 1Million ETB, University of Gondar ( COI), 2024-2026

12. TRANSACT an interdisciplinary research project in partnership with ARARI and Bahirdar University, 2010-2022

Conference presentations

1. Mekuanent T, Tadesse M. Yohanes G,Amsalu A. Dagim F, Asmamaw A (2017). Assessment of Non-timber forest products in Quara District, Northwestern Ethiopia. Proceeding of a workshop on Sustainable management and utilization of NTFPS for enhanced livelihood and restoration of degraded dry lands July, 17-18, 2017. Annual Research conference. JUly 17-18/2017. MEFCC and FAO, Adama, Ethiopia.

2. Mekuanent T, Asmamaw A. Muhamed G. (2016). Soil Properties under Different Length of Fallow Periods in Northwest Lowlands of Ethiopia. Proceeding of 26th Annual Research conference. June 24-25, 2016, University of Gondar

3. Auch, E; Asmamaw A (in print): Overview on the CHAINS-Project. In: Eckhard Auch, Lisa Becker (Eds.): CHAnces IN Sustainability (CHAINS): Promoting natural resource based value chains in East Africa. Proceedings. International

Conference on Participatory Value Chain Innovation. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 24 – 26 February 2016. Scientific Cooperation Network. Tharandt, Germany.

4. Khalifa, Awad Elkarim; Pretzsch, Jürgen; Alemu Abtew, Asmamaw; Sanjak, Elamin (2015): Local Perceptions and Adaptation to Climate Change in North Kordofan State, Sudan. In: Book of Abstracts, Tropentag 2015

5. Eckhard Auch, Asmamaw Alemu, and Jürgen Pretzsch (2015) Chances in Sustainability - Promoting Product Chains of Natural Products in Eastern Africa. Tropentag, "Management of land use systems for enhanced food security –conflicts, controversies and resolutions" September 16 - 18, 2015 Berlin, Germany

6. Asmamaw Alemu, Jürgen Pretzsch, Laura Secco, Tarig El-Sheikh (2014): Comparative Analysis of Gum and Resin Value Chains and their Rural Development Potentials in the Drylands of Ethiopia and Sudan. Tropentag, "Bridging the gap between increasing knowledge and decreasing resources" September 17 - 19, 2014 Prague, Czech Republic

7. Asmamaw Alemu, Tarig El-Sheikh (2013): Characterizing the patterns and trends of the international trade network of Gum Arabic: implication for the producer countries. Poster presented in Tropentag ‘’Conference on Agricultural development within the rural-urban continuum’’2013, Stuttgart-Hohenheimn.

8. Asmamaw Alemu, Jürgen Pretzsch, Laura Secco, Tarig El-Sheikh (2013): Contribution of Gum and Resin Commercialization to Rural Livelihood in the Drylands of Ethiopia and Sudan. Poster presented in Tropentag ‘’Conference on Agricultural Development within the rural-urban continuum’’2013, Stuttgart-Hohenheimn.

9. Asmamaw Alemu, Zewdu Yilma, Abeje Eshete (2012) Evaluation of growth performance and Gum Arabic production of Acacia senegal in northwest lowlands of Ethiopia. In: Forestry and Forest Products: technologies and Issues. Wubalem Tadesse, Getachew Desalegn and Abraham Yirgu (eds.) Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

10. Asmamaw Alemu, Fikremariam Haile and Sisay Feleke (2012) Edible oil extraction from Podocarpus falcatus In: Forestry and Forest Products: technologies and Issues. Wubalem Tadesse, Getachew Desalegn and Abraham Yirgu (eds.) Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Publication

1. Alemu, A., & Abich, A. (2025). Wood Density Variation Among Dominant Tree Species of Comberetum-Terminalia Woodland in Northwest Dryforests of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Natural and Computational Sciences, 5(2), 784-797.

2. Alemu, A &, Woldie, Z. (2025). Exploring the Contribution of Participatory Forest Management to Maintain Structure and Composition of Dry Forest Resources in the Lowlands of Northwest Ethiopia, International Journal of Forestry Research, 2025, 5551336, 17 doi/10.1155/ijfr/5551336

3. Motbaynor, K., Alemu, A., & Gebremariam, Y. (2025). Effects of Soil Substrate on Germination and Seedling Growth of Adansonia digitata L. in Northwest Ethiopia. Forest Science and Technology, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/21580103.2025.2563268

4. Motbaynor, K., Alemu, A., Gebremariam, Y., Gebeye, A., & Taju, M. (2025). Fruit characterization and seed germination of selected dry forest wild edible fruit tree species in North West Ethiopia. Forest Science and Technology, 1-9. DOI: 10.1080/21580103.2025.2522712

5. Tiruneh, G. G., Alemu, A., Barron, J., Yimer, F., & Karltun, E. (2025). Nutrient budgets in short rotation black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) stands for charcoal production as compared with teff (Eragrostis tef) cultivation. Forest Ecology and Management, 588, 122762. doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2025.122762

6. Tiruneh, G. G., Alemu, A., Barron, J., Yimer, F., & Karltun, E. (2025). Short Rotation Forestry Expansion Drives Carbon Sequestration in Biomass but Not in Soil. GCB Bioenergy, 17(7), e70054. doi/10.1111/gcbb.70054

7. Alene , A, & Alemu A.. (2025). Economic importance of Wattle rust (Uromycladium acaciae) disease on Acacia mearnsii in Fagita Lekoma, North-Western highlands of Ethiopia. Ecological Genetics and Genomics, 100352. doi.org/10.1016/j.egg.2025.100352

8. Woldie, Z., & Alemu, A. (2025). Arrangements and performance of participatory forest management cooperatives in the dry forests of Northwestern Ethiopia. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 1176. 10.1007/s43621-025-01971-7

9. Mehari, A. B., Alemu A., & Mulatu, Y. (2024). Tree seed supply system in Ethiopia: modeling source and dissemination of priority species. International Forestry Review, 26(1), 83-92.

10. Mulu, S., Asfaw, Z., Alemu, A., Teketay, D., Gashaw, T., & Alemu, W. (2024). Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover, and Small-Scale Forest Expansion in Northwestern Ethiopian Highlands. Small-scale Forestry, 23(2),211-237. 11. Misganaw, W., Masresha, G., Alemu, A., & Lulekal, E. (2025). Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat human and livestock ailments in Addi Arkay district, northwest Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 21(1), 31. doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00775-3

12. Tadesse, D., Masresha, G., Lulekal, E., & Alemu, A. (2025). Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Metema and Quara districts, Northwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 21(1), 7. doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00761-9

13. Alene Y., Alemu, A. , & Kassie, W. B. (2025). Distribution of Uromycladium acaciae disease on Acacia mearnsii woodlots; response and farmers’ cultural management practices in Fagita Lekoma district, Ethiopia. Jurnal Biota, 11(1), 42-54.

14. Aklilu, Z., Berihun, T., Zena, S., & Alemu, A. (2024). Production efficiency of potato in south gondar zone, Ethiopia. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 10(1), 2378988.

15. Nigus, A. M., Wassie, A. E., & Alemu A. (2024). Socio-economic contributions and determinants of locals engagement with Boswellia papyrifera in lowland woodlands in Burie Zuria district, Ethiopia. Heliyon, 10(13).

16. Shumie, A., Alemu, A., Abebe, G., Gemtesa, G., Gebremariam, Y., Alene, Y., ... & Karltun, E. (2024). Allometric equations for estimation of above-and below-ground biomass of Acacia mearnsii in northwestern Ethiopia. Forest Science and Technology, 1-7.

17. Tazebew, E., Addisu, S., Bekele, E., Alemu, A., Belay, B., & Sato, S. (2024). Sustainable soil health and agricultural productivity with biochar-based indigenous organic fertilizers in acidic soils: insights from Northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia. Discover Sustainability, 5(1), 205.

18. Tazebew, E., Addisu, S., Bekele, E., Alemu, A., et al. (2024). Enhancing wood to charcoal conversion efficiencies from smallholder plantation charcoal production systems. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 196(2)

19. Yirga, F., Asfaw, Z., Alemu, A., Ewnetu, Z., & Teketay, D. (2024). Examining the expansion of agroforestry practices and their management practices in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Trees, Forests and People, 17, 100655.

20. Yirga, F., Asfaw, Z., Alemu, A., Ewnetu, Z., & Teketay, D. (2024). Examining the expansion of agroforestry practices and their management practices in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Trees, Forests and People, 17, 100655. 10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100655

21. Yirga, F., Asfaw, Z., Alemu, A., Ewnetu, Z., & Teketay, D. (2024). Exploring the Contribution of Agroforestry Practices to Income and Livelihoods of Rural Households in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. Agroforestry Systems, 1-21.

22. Abere, M., Yilma, Z., Tsegie, T., Eshete, A., & Alemu, A. (2023). Population structure and phenological attributes of Adansonia digitata L.(baobab) in Northwestern lowland area of Ethiopia. Heliyon, 9(12).

23. Derebe, B., & Alemu, A. (2023). Non-timber forest product types and its income contribution to rural households in the Horn of Africa: a systematic review. Forest Science and Technology, 19(3), 210-220.

24. Mengstu, M., Alemu, A., Dagnew, A., & Worku, C. (2023). Determinants of the market outlet choice of bamboo culms (Yushania alpine) producers in Banja District, Western Ethiopia. International Journal of Forestry Research, 2023(1), 5578146. doi/10.1155/2023/5578146

25. Mengstu, M., Alemu, A., Dagnew, A., & Worku, C. (2023). Factors affecting the market outlet choice of bamboo culm producers in Banja district, Awi zone, Ethiopia. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 9(2)

26. Mengstu, M., Alemu, A., Worku, C., & Bezie, S. (2023). Value Chain Analysis of Highland Bamboo (Yushania alpina) in Banja District, Awi Zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Forestry Research, 2023(1), 3378810.

27. Tazebew, E., Sato, S., Addisu, S., Bekele, E., Alemu, A., & Belay, B. (2023). Improving traditional charcoal production system for sustainable charcoal income and environmental benefits in highlands of Ethiopia. Heliyon, 9(9).

28. Woldie, Z., Alemu A., Worku, A., & Tadesse, H. (2023). Contribution of participatory forest management to livelihood improvement in Metema district, northwestern Ethiopia. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 1-23.

29. Yirsaw, J., Alamirew, B., & Alemu, A. (2023). The Mediating Role of the Capital Growth of Wood-based Micro and Small Enterprises on Livelihoods in North Western Amhara, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Business and Economics (The), 13(2), 258-281.

30. Abich, A., Negash, M., Alemu, A., & Gashaw, T. (2022). Aboveground Biomass Models in the Combretum-Terminalia Woodlands of Ethiopia: Testing Species and Site Variation Effects. Land, 11(6), 811.

31. Abere, M., Eshete, A., & Alemu, A. (2022). Traditional uses and local management practices of Adansonia digitata L. in different ethnic groups of Quara wereda, North West low land of Ethiopia. Trees, Forests and People, 7, 100188. doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100188

32. Abich, A., Negash, M., Alemu, A., & Gashaw, T. (2022). Aboveground biomass models in the Combretum-Terminalia Woodlands of Ethiopia: testing species and site variation effects. Land, 11(6), 811. doi.org/10.3390/land11060811

33. Kassaye M., M., Abiyu H, A., & Alemu A, (2022). Social and institutional status of area exclosure in North Wollo and Waghemira Zones, Northeastern Ethiopia. International Journal of Forestry Research, 2022(1), 9368955. doi.org/10.1155/2022/9368955

34. Mulu, S., Asfaw, Z., Alemu, A., & Teketay, D. (2022). Determinants of Decision Making by Smallholder Farmers on Land Allocation for Small-Scale Forest Management in Northwestern Ethiopian Highlands. Land, 11(6), 838

35. Abich, A., Alemu, A., Gebremariam, Y., Mucheye, T., Gurebiyaw, K., & Kassie, M. (2021). Allometric models for predicting aboveground biomass of Combretum-Terminalia woodlands in Amhara, Northwest Ethiopia. Trees, Forests and People, 5, 100122.

36. Nigatu, A., Wondie, M., Alemu, A., Tadesse, W., & Chanie, Y. (2021). Indigenous management practices of highland bamboo (Yushania alpina) in West Amhara, Ethiopia. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 7(1), 1926683. doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2021.1926683

37. Mekedelawit M., Asmamaw A., Mekuanent T. 2020. Socioeconomic contributions of small-scale private urban tree nurseries in Gondar and Bahirdar Cities. Cogent Food & Agriculture 6:1 https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2020.1785104

38. Tesfaye S., Alemu A, Yohanis GM., (2020). Quality of tree seedlings across different nursery ownerships in Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry, 12(3), 84-93. https://doi.org/10.5897/JHF2019.0599

39. Abich, A., Mucheye, T., Tebikew, M., Gebremariam, Y., & Alemu, A. (2019). Species-specific allometric equations for improving aboveground biomass estimates of dry deciduous woodland ecosystems. Journal of Forestry Research, 30, 1619-1632.

40. Mekuanent T, Yohanes G, Amsalu A, Tadese M., Alemu A. (2018) Uses of Wild Edible Plants in Quara District, Northwest Ethiopia: Implication for Forest Management. Agriculture & Food Security. 7(12) ፡ 1-14

41. Tirusew T., Teshale W,, Tsegaye B, Alemu A & Jürgen P (2017) Market Channels for Highland Bamboo Poles Originated from Hula District, Sidama Zone Southern Ethiopia. Small-scale Forestry. DOI 10.1007/s11842-017-9365-2

42. Tarig E.M, Abdelatif H.I, Mohamed E.T, Awad S., Hassen E., Pretzsch J, Auch E, Muhamed Elmustefa, Hatim M, Osman E, Zeinaba M, Muneer E, Asmamaw A.A, Elbasha B. (2016) Recent changes in local marketing patterns of Gum Arabic in Kordofan, Sudan. Journal of Agricultural Science and Engeneering.2 (6):46-56

43. Alemu A, Jürgen P, Laura S and Tarig E. M. (2014) Contribution of Small-Scale Gum and Resin Commercialization to Local Livelihood and Rural Economic Development in the Drylands of Eastern Africa. Forests 5:952-977 doi:10.3390/f5050952

44. Alemu A, Zewdu Y, Abeje E (2013) Growth performance and Gum Arabic production of Acacia senegal in northwest lowlands of Ethiopia. Journal of Forestry Research 24 (3):471-476

45. Alemu A, Jürgen P, Tarig E, Adam Y (2012) Population structure of Boswellia papyrifera(Del.) Hochst in the dry woodlands of Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan State, Sudan. Agriculture & Forestry, 54(08) (1-4): 41-50, 2012, Podgorica 46. Alemu A, Pretzsch J. Mohamoud TE, Adam YO (2012) Commodity Chain of Frankincense from the Dry Woodlands of Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan State, Sudan. Small Scale Forestry 11(3):365-388

47. Sisay F, Fekeremariam H, Alemu A, Shiferaw A (2012) Characteristics of seed kernel oil from Podocarpus falcatus. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 24(4): 512–516