Outputs and impact

Discover the outputs and impact of our project.

Outputs

Three Sussex academics – Anna Rabinovich, Ana Leal and John Drury – have co-authored a chapter in the book “Sustainable Natural Resource Management” (Edward Elgar Publishing).

The chapter – “Caring for what is ours: a social psychological perspective on sustainable natural resource management” – discusses natural resource management from the perspective of social psychology. In particular, it focuses on how contents of people's minds (such as perceptions, beliefs, values, and identities) are linked to behavioural choices that contribute to sustainable management of shared resources.

The authors consider individual-level parameters that predict environmentally sustainable behaviour across contexts, including values, environmental self-identity, and prosocial value orientation. They then discuss the crucial role of group-level processes, such as social identification with others sharing the same resource, as well as group norms, collective efficacy and trust.

The chapter provides an overview of an ongoing research programme exploring the role of the above processes in willingness to sustainably manage shared land in agro-pastoralist contexts, and explores practical steps towards supporting cooperative choices by strengthening collective identification in groups that share natural resources.

You can read more and download a full-text PDF of the chapter from the ResearchGate web page: Rabinovich, A., Leal, A., Drury, J. (2026). Caring for what is ours: A social psychological perspective on sustainable natural resource management. In F. Nunan (Ed.) Sustainable natural resource management: A multidisciplinary approach (pp. 187-206). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Impact

Led by Sussex, the three-year project combines scientific soil assessment with practical interventions including soil bunds, grass strips, tree planting and traditional interceptor shrubs known locally as ‘Gahoo’.

The film below highlights locally led, research-based approaches that are supporting sustainable farming practices and strengthening long-term food security in the region.

Nature-based solutions for soil restoration in Ethiopia

Watch how, in collaboration with the University of Sussex and Cranfield University, researchers from Jimma University are working with farming communities in Ethiopia’s Dedo District to address soil erosion and improve agricultural productivity through nature-based solutions.

Video transcript: Nature-based solutions for soil restoration in Ethiopia

[A news reader is presenting to camera.]

Newsreader: Jimma University is providing research-based support to enhance farmers’ productivity by preventing soil erosion. This soil fertility improvement approach is both cost-effective and time-saving for farmers, who also report that the support is expected to further increase their productivity.

[Video footage of Ethiopian countryside and farmers in a field]

Farmer: The Dedo District is highly vulnerable to soil erosion, which has limited farmers’ ability to realize adequate returns from their labor. To address this challenge from the ground up, the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at Jimma University has launched a three-year project focused on controlling soil erosion through nature-based solutions. The initiative involves a detailed assessment of the district’s soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, alongside field-based interventions such as planting grasses and trees. According to Getinat Seid, these simple, practical measures are already contributing to improvements in soil fertility.

Getinat Seid: In implementing these nature-based solutions, such as soil bunds, grass planting, and locally known practices like “ga’oo (intersective shrubs),” skilled farmers play a central role. They carefully select and establish diverse plant species that significantly enhance soil fertility and reduce erosion. These measures not only protect the soil from degradation but also contribute to improved yields and overall agricultural productivity.

Voiceover: Farmers from the villages of Gerimma, Lammessaa, Mustefa Sh/Nasir, and A/Temaam A/Galaan in Dedo District noted that while they had previously been discouraged, they are now witnessing remarkable crop performance as a result of the support provided.

Mustefa Sh/Nasir: Regarding soil erosion, they constructed a bund for us and planted various plant species on it to help stabilize and strengthen the soil. They provided seedlings such as sombo, walensoo, and other yeriyoo species, which were planted along the bund. In addition, they supplied us with fertilizer, which helped achieve a good yield.

A/Temaam A/Galaan: The main problem was that before the construction of the bund, flooding was more severe, and our sloping land was prone to erosion and loss. However, since the JU team constructed the bund, we have been able to plant various trees, and crop performance has improved compared to last year.

[Footage of farmland in Ethiopia]

Voiceover: Dr. Bayu Dume, a soil researcher and project coordinator at the college, stated that the first year of the study showed positive results.

Dr. Bayu Dume: We have established four pilot treatments: soil bund only, soil bund with grass strips, grass strips only, and a control (business-as-usual). These setups allow us to evaluate and compare results at harvest and provide clear, evidence-based explanations.

Voiceover: Jimma University is providing us with maximum possible support. The project aims to enhance soil fertility through nature-based solutions approaches and improve the productivity of the district.

Fadluu Zaakiir: Extensive work is being carried out in collaboration with Jimma University. This land was previously severely affected by soil erosion, and the farmer could harvest no more than ten quintals per hectare. However, after constructing bunds and planting ga’oo(intersective shrubs) to reduce erosion, yields have increased to about 40–45 quintals per hectare.

Voiceover: Tijani Temam, head of the Jimma District Agriculture Office, stated that the study will be scaled up once it is completed.

Tijjaanii Tamaam: Significant changes are occurring in the community at present, and it is essential that both our community and professionals at all levels actively engage in this work to enhance soil fertility and improve yield and productivity.

Voiceover: The project has been implemented in collaboration with two UK universities, namely the University of Sussex and Cranfield University

[Fade to black]