Research Article
Evaluation of Vegetation Conditions for Green Legacy Using Geospatial Technology: A Case of Entoto Natural Park, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Amanuel Wolde Selato*,
Adamu Dessalegn Taddesse
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-17
Received:
9 December 2025
Accepted:
22 December 2025
Published:
2 February 2026
Abstract: Monitoring vegetation condition is essential for ecological sustainability, restoration planning, and climate change adaptation, particularly in urban-adjacent conservation areas such as Entoto Natural Park in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. However, vegetation condition assessments in the park have been limited and lack quantitative evidence based on geospatial approaches. This study evaluates natural vegetation conditions using multispectral remote sensing, spectral indices, and a Random Forest machine learning model. Landsat imagery from 1995, 2005, 2015, and 2025 was processed to generate NDVI, GNDVI, and NDWI indices, which were used to classify vegetation health and analyze temporal trends. The Random Forest classifier was trained using field-based reference samples and validated using out-of-bag accuracy metrics. Results indicate a general improvement in vegetation condition between 1995 and 2025, with higher chlorophyll content and water availability in recently rehabilitated areas, while eucalyptus-dominated zones exhibited comparatively lower moisture and greenness values. The prediction model also forecasted future vegetation conditions, suggesting continued improvement under ongoing restoration programs. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of spectral indices combined with machine learning for vegetation condition monitoring and provides a geospatial foundation to support sustainable management and restoration efforts under Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative.
Abstract: Monitoring vegetation condition is essential for ecological sustainability, restoration planning, and climate change adaptation, particularly in urban-adjacent conservation areas such as Entoto Natural Park in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. However, vegetation condition assessments in the park have been limited and lack quantitative evidence based on geosp...
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Review Article
Bamboo-timber Composite Systems: A Systematic
Meta-analysis of Performance, Modeling, and
Reliability-based Design
Girmay Mengesha Azanaw*
,
Selamawit Jember Tsegaye
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
18-31
Received:
13 December 2025
Accepted:
24 December 2025
Published:
17 March 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.es.20261101.12
Downloads:
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Abstract: A thorough review was conducted of the research published within the past ten years regarding bamboo-timber composite (BTC) structures through a comprehensive meta-analysis on the following topics: experimentation and testing; analytical modelling methodology; and reliability-based design methods. As part of this analysis, the author reviewed and compiled all 32 published results. Based upon experimental review, it has been determined that BTC structural systems have flexural strengths averaging 115–145 MPa, composite action efficiencies which average anywhere from 72% to 78% and a similar level of performance to timber-concrete composites along with significantly improved sustainability profiles. Hybrid Mechanical˗Adhesive Connector (HMAC) connection performance contributes significantly to global performance characteristics, highlighting the high shear strength, stiffness, and ductility of HMAC connections. Hybrid mechanical-adhesive connectors exhibit superior properties relative to traditional mechanical connections, with maximum shear strength exhibiting values equivalent to 110-140kN, stiffness in the range of 16-22 kN/m, and ductility being characterized by the highest values of elongation under tension greater than or equal to 5.5 mm. When evaluating analytical methods for predicting connection performance for HMAC connections, there are significant differences in the accuracy of analytical models developed using coupled nonlinear finite element models with interface slip analysis (94.2%) versus surrogate-assisted probabilistic model approaches. The reliability-based design optimization performed as part of this research identified target reliability indices for the HMAC connection design in the range of 2.1 to 3.3 by demonstrating that 18-24% material savings can be achieved relative to a traditional deterministic design approach. A long-term performance assessment (5-year study) of the HMAC connection performance identified significant degradation of flexural strength and stiffness due to the influence of time-dependent environmental variables. The results of this analysis demonstrate that design models incorporating these environmental factors including creep and connection relaxation are necessary to provide accurate estimates of performance characteristics and necessary basic performance metrics to establish and develop standard test methods and reliable design guidelines for the implementation of bamboo˗timber composite systems in sustainable structural engineering.
Abstract: A thorough review was conducted of the research published within the past ten years regarding bamboo-timber composite (BTC) structures through a comprehensive meta-analysis on the following topics: experimentation and testing; analytical modelling methodology; and reliability-based design methods. As part of this analysis, the author reviewed and c...
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