ANTENEH BELAYNEH DESTA (PhD)

Associate Professor of Biodiversity conservation and Ecosystem management

Gender: Male

Marital status: Married

Research projects

• Ethno-medicinal, pharmacological and phytochemical Studies of Potential Anti-diabetic Traditional Medicinal Plants in Eastern Ethiopia (2.9 Million Birr) (HUGG_2021_06_02_24) (New 2021- 2025) (Co-PI)
• Comprehensive study of Indigenous Knowledge, Resources, and Good Practices in East Hararghe Zone, Maya City, and Harari Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia (2025-2028). HUGG_2025_04_01_44 (Budget approved 2,409,552).
• Towards the Commercialization of Prioritized Aloe Species from Eastern and South-eastern Ethiopia (352,100 Birr). HUKT_2021_06_01_56 (New project 2021-2023) (PI)
• A Comprehensive Evaluation and Validation of Traditional Medicinal Plants and Associated Indigenous Knowledge in Hararghe, Eastern Ethiopia. (380,500 Birr) HUSS_2018_06_01_26 (On-going) (Co-PI)
• Bioactive phytochemicals, antioxidant properties, and nutritional composition of exudates/gel from endemic/indigenous Aloes of Eastern Ethiopia. (132,000). (HURG-2016-06-01-04) (Completed 2017-2019) (PI)
• Green Economy transition toolkit for Africa project", Toolkit application at the local context in Welmera Woreda of Oromia Region, Funded by UNEP and GIZ, 2015 (12,000 USD). (PI).
• Ecological distribution and population status of African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) in Ethiopia. (100,000 USD), Funded by Elephant without border, 2014 (Co-PI) Completed
• Comprehensive Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants in Hararge lowlands: Step towards domestication for climate change mitigation and livelihood improvement. (100,000 Birr) (SIDA/SAREC grant 2012-214) (Completed) (PI)
• Agrobiodiversity and productivity enhancement through soil fertility and coffee disease management: the case of coffee-based gardens in Hararge, Eastern Ethiopia. (120,000 Birr) (SIDA/SAREC grant 2013-214) (Completed) (Co-PI)

Training And Professional Development

• Certificate in Grant Management Training. International Foundation for Science (IFS) and Bioversity International, Research Proposal Writing workshop held in Nairobi/ Kenya, November 2009.
• Higher Diploma Program (HDP) in Education (a program specially prepared for teacher educators, July 2010 Ref. Haramaya University, 2010), Ethiopia.
• Training of Designation of Origin for land products, UNESCO-Paris; June 2010.
• Certificate on mainstreaming Sustainable Development Innovations in the education systems of African Universities, from South Africa-Rhodes University, September-October, 2011.
• Training on the Valorisation of local products with designation of Origin, Burkina-Faso, Ouagadougou, 2012
• Regional Training (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Rwanda) on Step-by-step Guide for Natural Capital Assessments at the sub-national level, 11-13 November 2015, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, UNEP and WCMC.
• Training on "Green Economy transition toolkit for Africa", that has been developed by UNEP and GIZ, from 27-31 July 2015, held in UN complex in Kenya, Nairobi.
• Certificate on a practical course on Scientific Writing held at the Lukenya Getaway, Nairobi, Kenya in October 2009.
• Training on Africa Well-being Economy and Emerging Future, Global Leadership Academy, the African Centre for a Green Economy and the action-research network WE-Africa. South Africa; Cape Town, November 2017.
• ToT on special summer capacity building training for secondary school teachers. Kotebe Education University, June 2024.
• Program accreditation processes and standards, and outcome-based Education (OBE) for academic programs quality assurance, Haramaya University, January 2025.
• Introduction to Data Management, Bioinformatics, and Data Science, June - July 2025, ROFORUM, Kenya

WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

Some of the major international conferences and workshops attended and involved at a paper presenter

Table 1. Course taught at the school of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Animal Sciences and range ecology, and ACE Climate SABC of the University

Some of the Publications

1. Mohammed Abdulahi, Pascal E. Egli, Anteneh Belayneh, Yazidhi Bamutaze, Charlotte Anne Nakakaawa, Sintayehu W. Dejene. 2026.Evaluation of bush encroachment control effectiveness in reducing drought under different climate change scenarios. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 2026: 157:596. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-026-06522-2
2. Sileshi Tolesa Ejeta, Abule Ebro , Anteneh Belayneh Desta, Ashenafi Yimam Kassaye. 2026. Agropastoral household vulnerability to climate variability and change in Miesso and Gumbi Bordode districts West Harerghe Zone Ethiopia an LVI and LVIIPCC approach. Discover Environment, 4:476. 76 https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-026-00988-7
3. Mohammed Mussa A., Pascal E. Egli*, Anteneh Belayneh, Yazidhi Bamutaze, Charlotte Anne Nakakaawa,Sintayehu W. Dejene. 2026. Evaluating Grazing Management for Drought Reduction Under Different Climate Change Scenarios. Climate, 14:86. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli13110231
4. Zelalem Nurlign Getahun, Anteneh Belayneh Desta, Hussen Yimer Abate, 2026. Woody Plant Species Diversity in Haramaya University Main Campus, Eastern Ethiopia. International Journal of Forestry Research, 2026; 2026:4886338. https://doi.org/10.1155/ijfr/4886338.
5. Yalo Daba a, Monas Kitessa, Kindessa Ahmed, Demis Million, Ayalew Temesgen, Meseret Amde, Tsegu Kiros, Dine Walo, Anteneh Belayneh, Jemal Abdela. 2026. Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic potential of hydromethanol extract and solvent fraction of the leaves of Ajuga integrifolia (Lamiaceae) in diabetic mice models. Metabolism Open, 29:100443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metop.2026.100443
6. Umer Abdella, Anteneh Belayneh Desta, Yonas Berhanu 2025. Richness and abundance of invasive and expansive plant species and their associated effects on native vegetation in a semi-arid rangeland of the Rift Valley. Global Ecological Conservation, 60(e03602). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03602
7. Mohammed Mussa A., Pascal E. Egli*, Anteneh Belayneh, Yazidhi Bamutaze, Sintayehu W. Dejene. 2025. Impact of Climate Change on Drought Dynamics in the Ganale Dawa River Basin, Ethiopia. Climate, 13:231. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli13110231
8. Masautso Chikuwi, Edward Missanjo, and Anteneh Belayneh Desta, 2025. Tree Species Richness and Diversity Among Selected Urban Forest Types in Lilongwe City, Malawi. International Journal of Forestry Research, Article ID 1925502, https://doi.org/10.1155/ijfr/1925502
9. Haile Abebe, Anteneh Belayneh* and Sintayehu Workneh Dejene. 2024. Modeling the distribution of Aloe ankoberensis and A. debrana under different climate change scenarios in North Shewa Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Ecological Processes. 13:39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-024-00511-x.
10. Tesfaye Wasihun Abro*, Anteneh Belayneh Desta, Ermias Debie, Dagnachew Melese Alemu. 2024. Endemic plant species and threats to their sustainability in Ethiopia: A systematic review. Trees, Forests and People, 17: 100634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100634
11. Shewakena Teklegiorgis*, Anteneh Belayneh, Kidane Gebermeskel, Gbenga Festus Akomolafe, Sintayehu Workeneh. 2024. Modelling the current and future agro-ecological distribution potential of Mexican prickly poppy (Argemone mexicana L.) invasive alien plant species in south Wollo, Ethiopia. Journal of Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes, Pp, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2024.2373471
12. Kidist Teshome Eticha, Anteneh Belayneh*, and Ketema Bekele. 2024. Floristic Composition of Harla-Ija Aneni Valley and Mountain Complex in the Semi-arid Ecosystem of Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia. East African Journal of Sciences. 18 (1) 15-28.
13. Shewakena Teklegiorgis*, Sintayehu Workeneh, Anteneh Belayneh, Kidane Gebermeskel, Gbenga Festus Akomolafe. 2024. Density, biomass, and fruit and seed production potential f Mexican prickly poppy (Argemone mexicana L.) invasive alien plant species under different land uses and agroecology in South Wollo, Ethiopia. Biol Invasions https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-024-03360-z
14. Grace DONDO , Sintayehu Workeneh DEJENE , Agnes UWIMBABAZI, Petros CHAVULA, Desta ANTENEH. 2024. Carbon stocks under different land cover types in the Hallaydeghe wildlife reserve, northeastern Ethiopia. Nova Geodesia 4(4):210.
15. Anteneh Belayneh, 2024. African Elephants on the Verge of Local Extinction: Rescue the Babile Elephant Sanctuary. Proceeding, 32ndth Annual Conference of the Biological Society of Ethiopia: ‘Ecosystem Restoration in Ethiopia: Best Practices and Sustainability’. March 15-16, 20 24, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Pp, 26-27.
16. Anteneh Belayneh Desta. 2023. Ethno-medicinal importance of aloes from south and east of the Great Rift Valley floristic regions of Ethiopia. Proceeding: “International Conference on Traditional & Modern Medicine” December 04-05, 2023, Dubai, UAE.
17. Negussie F Bussa, Anteneh Belayneh. 2020. Long-Standing Herbal Medicinal Traditions from the Prehistoric Harar Town and the Surroundings, Eastern Ethiopia. J. Ayu. Herb. Med. DOI: 10.31254/jahm.2020.6311
18. Anteneh Belayneh, Sebsebe Demissew, Negussie F. Bussa, Daniel Bisrat. 2020. Ethno-medicinal and bio-cultural importance of aloes from south and east of the Great Rift Valley floristic regions of Ethiopia. Heliyon 6: e04344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04344
19. Mohammed Seid, Anteneh Belayneh Desta and Tessema Zewdu. 2020. Effect of range land vegetation degradation on livestock and socio-economic status of the pastoralists, Afar regional state, Northern Ethiopia. Vol. 6(3), pp. 17-27, DOI: 10.5897/JODA2019.0035.
20. Dejene W. Sintayehu*, Anteneh Belayneh, Nigussie Dechassa. 2020. Aboveground carbon stock is related to land cover and woody species diversity in tropical ecosystems of Eastern Ethiopia. Ecological Processes, 9:37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-020-00237-6.
21. Anteneh Belayneh, Negussie F. Bussa, Sebsebe Demissew, Daniel Bisrat. 2020. Acute oral toxicity test from leaf exudates of 17 Aloe species from East and South of the Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia. Advances in Traditional Medicine 20(3): 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-020-00497-9
22. Wycliffe Tumwesigye, Abebe Aschalew, Wambi Wilber, Anteneh Desta. 2019. Impact of Climate Change on Food Systems: A Narrative Review. Journal of Water Resources and Ocean Science, 8(4): 50-55. doi: 10.11648/j.wros.20190804.12.
23. Tesfay Atsbha*, Anteneh Belayneh Desta, Tessema Zewdu. 2019. Carbon sequestration potential of natural vegetation under grazing influence in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia: implication for climate change mitigation. Heliyon 5 (2019) e02329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02329
24. Tesfay Atsbha*, Anteneh Belayneh Desta, Tessema Zewdu, 2019. Woody species diversity, population structure, and regeneration status in the Gra-Kahsu natural vegetation, southern Tigray of Ethiopia. Heliyon 5: e01120. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019. e01120
25. Bussa N.F., Anteneh Belayneh*. 2019. Traditional medicinal plants used to treat cancer, tumors and inflammatory ailments in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia. South African Journal of Botany, 122 (2019) 360–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2019.03.025
26. Tesfay Atsbha, Anteneh Belayneh Desta. 2019. Ecological assessment of plant diversity and associated edaphic and topographic variables in the Gra-Kahsu forests of Ethiopia. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry, Vol. 11(1), pp. 8-18, DOI: 10.5897/JHF2018.0567.
27. Negussie Bussa*, Anteneh Belayneh, and Merga Deressa. 2017. The Potential of Camel Milk and Extracts of Major Plants Browsed by the Animal for Diabetes Treatment. East African Journal of Sciences, 11 (2) 129-138.
28. Anteneh Belayneh Desta. 2017. Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species (NUS): Promising for Livelihood Option in the Dry Lands of Africa. Asian J Life Sci, AJLS-103. DOI: 10.29011/AJLS-103.000003.
29. Anteneh BELAYNEH and Zewdu K TESSEMA. 2017. Mechanisms of bush encroachment and its inter-connection with rangeland degradation in semi-arid African ecosystems: a review. J Arid Land, 9(2): 299–312.
30. Anteneh Belayneh, Zemede Asfaw, Sebsebe Demissew, Negussie F. Bussa. 2012. Potential and use of medicinal plants by pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Erer Valley of Babile Wereda, Eastern Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 8: 42.
31. Anteneh Belayneh and Sebsibe Demissew. 2011. Diversity and Population Structure of Woody Species Browsed by Elephants in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, eastern Ethiopia: an implication for Conservation. Ee-JRIF Vol 3, No 1 2011 – Agriculture and Forestry issue: pp (20-32).
32. Anteneh Belayneh, Tamrat Bekele and Sebsebe Demissew. 2011. Floristic analysis of the natural vegetation of babile Elephant sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia: Implication for biodiversity conservation. Eth J Biol Sc, Vol 10(2): 137-152.
33. Anteneh Belayneh, Temesgen Yohannes and Adefires Worku. 2013. Recurrent and extensive forest fire incidence in the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP), Ethiopia: Extent, Cause and Consequences. International Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 2 No. 1. Pp. 29-39.
34. Anteneh Belayneh and Negussie F. Bussa, 2014. Ethnomedicinal plants used to treat human ailments in the prehistoric place of Harla and Dengego valleys, eastern Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 10:18 doi:10.1186/1746-4269-10-18.
35. Anteneh Belayneh, Sintayehu Workeneh, and Yirmed Demeke. 2015. Biodiversity Potential, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Drylands of Eastern Ethiopia: The Case of Babile Elephant Sanctuary. Proceedings: International conference on Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Services for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Development, UNDP and Haramaya University, Ethiopia. Pp 56-67.
36. Preetha VV, Belayneh A, Palavesam A, Immanuel G, Tadesse Z. (2012). Effect of Dietary Nutrient Sources on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading from Culture of Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon). J. Aquacult Res. Dev. 3:141 doi:10.4172/2155-9546.1000141.
37. Anteneh Belayneh and Sebsebe Demissew. 2011. Ethnobotanical study of edible wild and multipurpose plants used by the local communities in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, eastern Ethiopian. Proceedings of international conference on ECOCASD, Ambo University.

* Corresponding Author

Professional society activities

Member and Eastern Ethiopia focal person of the Biological Society of Ethiopia since 2010