<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Glass's shrew </Td> <Td> Patrizi's trident leaf - nosed bat </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <P> Ethiopia is one of the eight fundamental and independent centers of origin for cultivated plants in the world . However, deforestation is a major concern for Ethiopia as studies suggest loss of forest contributes to soil erosion, loss of nutrients in the soil, loss of animal habitats, and reduction in biodiversity . At the beginning of the 20th century, around 420,000 km (or 35%) of Ethiopia's land was covered by trees, but recent research indicates that forest cover is now approximately 11.9% of the area . </P> <P> Ethiopia loses an estimated 1,410 km of natural forests each year . Between 1990 and 2005 the country lost approximately 21,000 km of forests . Current government programs to control deforestation consist of education, promoting reforestation programs, and providing raw materials which are alternatives to timber . In rural areas the government also provides non-timber fuel sources and access to non-forested land to promote agriculture without destroying forest habitat . </P> <P> Organizations such as SOS and Farm Africa are working with the federal government and local governments to create a system of forest management . Working with a grant of approximately 2.3 million Euros, the Ethiopian government recently began training people on reducing erosion and using proper irrigation techniques that do not contribute to deforestation . This project is assisting more than 80 communities . </P>

Ethiopia is the size of what us state