Woody vegetation dynamics in the rangelands of lower Omo region, southwestern Ethiopia

► We quantified land-cover/landuse changes in a semiarid rangeland, since 1985. ► We related the woody cover change within 25 years with various potential drivers. ► It declined in highland semipastoral areas, while increased in lowland pastorals. ► The increment was related to high rainfall variability and lower browser density. ► Introduction of large browsers into encroached sites may facilitate rapid recovery.