Land rehabilitation by area exclosure was the fastest and moderate approach of recovering degraded sites. However, the effect of exclosure on woody species parameters in Jabitehnan district, north-western Ethiopia has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study was conducted (i) to assess and compare diversity, composition and density of woody species in exclosure and adjacent open lands, and (ii) to analyze population structure as well as regeneration status of woody species. A random sampling method was employed to select a total of 40 sample plots (50m*50m). A total of 8 parallel transect lines were used inside and outside the exclosure land in each site for consecutive (50m interval) plot establishment. Species diversity was 1.7 and 3.03 for WG, 1.1 and 2.94 for GW open and exclosures, respectively. Population structure of woody species in exclosures of both sites exhibited an inverted J shape which indicates good regeneration status, while in adjacent open grazing land it exhibited partial bell shape. Generally, exclosure provides various biophysical benefits better than adjacent open grazing lands. It is recommended to protect degraded lands by exclosure via integrating appropriate species and convert their diversity into use so as to develop their potential benefits on land restoration.

Assessment of ecological fitness of woody species across land use is critical issues in degraded land restoration. However, little is known about AGBC stored capacity, important value and distribution index of woody species grows in exclosure and adjacent open lands. Therefore, this research is aimed to (i) analyse impact of exclosure on AGBC (ii) ecological fit species. A random sampling method was employed. Forty sample plots (50m*50m) were used. AGBC stocks (mean± SE) of woody species in adjacent open grazing and exclosure land use of GW site was 0.11±0.07 and 1.24±0.27Mg ha -1 respectively. While in adjacent open grazing and exclosure land use of WG site, the value was 0.27±0.03 and 2.79±0.27Mgha -1 respectively. In both site exclosure land uses, the proportion of rare, occasional and common woody species were better than their adjacent open grazing land. Cupressus lustanica from open grazing and Vernonia auriculifera from exclosure land use of WG as well as Croton macrostachyus from open grazing and Leucaena leucocephala from exclosure land use of GW site were recorded as top ecologically fit species. It is recommended to protect degraded lands via integrating ecologically adapted native species and fully used their diversity to achieve the potential benefits of land restoration. ARTICLE HISTORY

In recent year single rows of E. globules tree planted along field boards have become a dominant feature of central highlands of Ethiopia. Different journals showed that different extracts of E. globulus leaf had varying degrees of inhibition on germination and seedling growth of S. nigrum weed and more inhibition was seen with higher concentrations. In present study, methanol and ethyl acetate extracts had the strongest inhibitory effects. Therefore, it is possible to use these two extracts as a component for production of bio-herbicides. Eucalyptus species caused drawbacks rather than improving the performance of the undergrowth vegetation unlike the mentioned multipurpose trees. Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) offer plants chemical defences against herbivores and are known to influence intake and diet choice in both insect and mammalian herbivores. That is why eucalyptus leaf palatability to sheep and goat is reduced.

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The growth of the plant largely depends on the available water and soil. Soil supports the plant in mechanical ways and acts as a nutrient reservoir for its growth. Not only for plants but also for all living things, water plays a significant role in the life process. For a tree grower, knowing the relationship and techniques of measurement of plant, soil, and water help to improve their management system as well as the efficiency of crop production in a given area. Besides, it helps to know the relative water status of planted tree species. Therefore, this paper provides general information about seven plant water status measurements.