| Station Overview | |
| Location | 35°36’E / 8°22’N. Region: Illubabor; 5 km north of Metu |
| Altitudinal | 1565 – 1789 m asl |
| Catchment size | Hydrological catchment: 672.7 ha; Topographical catchment: 669.3 ha |
| Climate | According to Thornthwaite: humid Mean annual temperature: 21 °C Mean annual rainfall: 1512 mm Length of growing period: 245 days |
| Geology | Precambrian Gneiss |
| Soils | Mainly Lixisols, few Fluvisols and Cambisols |
| Soil degradation status | Low to medium degradation. Soil fertility restricted by phosphorus deficiency |
| Agro-ecological classification | Wet Weyna Dega |
| Farming system | Rainfed, subsistence-oriented farming system with ox-ploughing. Coffee as cash crop. Uncontrolled grazing practice |
| Main crops | Maize, tef, sorghum. Coffee as cash crop |
| Climax vegetation | Broadleaf Baphia forest. Evergreen rain forest |
| Population density (PA) | 80 inhabitants per km2 in 1990 |
| Mean size of landholdings (PA): | 1990: 2.6 ha per household |
| Livestock holdings (catchment, 1991) | 1991: Mean total herd size per family: 5.6 animals, thereof 1.4 oxen |
| Station established in | May 1988 |