Introduction Moringa stenopetala Bak. Cuf. is a native plant of Ethiopia with important nutraceutical applications. However, little is known about its nutritional, ethno-pharmaceutical and therapeutic properties. Hence, the present study sought to assess the nutraceutical applications of M. stenopetala among traditional healers in southern Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 selected administrative units in Gamo Gofa, Segen areas and south Omo zones of southern Ethiopia from May to June 2020. Data were gathered using a semi-structured interview, field observation, and group discussion. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using Excel 2019 and open code version 4.03, respectively. The results were presented using descriptive statistics, with the fidelity level (FL)% used to distinguish the preferential use of various plant parts. Results A total of 120 individuals participated in the study, and the majority of them, 89 (74.2%), were male and farmers by occupation. Eight four (70%) of them were residents of the Gamo Gofa Zone. The fidelity level revealed that the leaf and root were the most commonly used parts for nutraceutical purposes. Remarkably, M. stenopetala is used to treat human ailments such as leprosy and kidney and liver infections via various modes of utilisation and administration. As a result, the most common methods of utilising plant products are chewing or consuming crushed plant parts, and the oral route is the much-preferred method of application. On the other hand, the larvae of Moringa moth Nurda blitealis, are a defoliating insect during the rainy season and have been identified as a limiting factor for its production. Conclusions The nutraceutical aspects of M. stenopetala are extremely important to the rural community in southern Ethiopia. However, the defoliating moth larvae threaten its growth and biomass production, necessitating the need to manage and improve the plant’s productivity and sustainable use. Additionally, conducting experimental studies to validate the plant’s pharmacological potential correspond to a milestone in drug discovery.

Phytoplankton succession in open lakes depends on the availability of nutrients, temperature, light intensity and transparency. Phytoplankton communities usually undergo a fairly predictable annual cycle, but some species may grow exponentially forming the blooms. Accordingly, the seasonal diversity and dynamics of phytoplankton and their correlation with environmental factors were investigated in Lake Chamo, from December, 2013 to November, 2014. Samples were taken from four different sites of the lake; each of these sampling sites had their own unique characteristics. Seasonal plankton samples were collected using nylobolt plankton net (No. 25). pH, water temperature, specific conductivity, saturation, total dissolved solids, salinity and dissolved oxygen were measured in the field. The results showed that there is significant difference in the mean value of pH across the different seasons at the first sampling site, season II having significantly higher value than season I and IV. Water temperature also significantly varied among sampling sites and seasons, site 3 in spring 2014 having significantly higher value (30.4 ± 0.21°C) than site 2 during summer 2014 (26.0 ± 0.12°C). Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta accounted 96% of the total phytoplankton abundance during the study period. Pediastrum, Scendesmus and Closterium species were the predominant Chlorophyta, during the rainy seasons. The average Cyanophyta count was positively and non-significantly correlated with water temperature and turbidity of the lake. Overall, the four seasons exhibit different phytoplankton species composition across different sites. The diversity was high during winter season in all sampling sites.