Woody species diversity in a changing landscape in the south-central highlands of Ethiopia

Tolera, Motuma; Asfaw, Zebene; Lemenih, Mulugeta; Karltun, Erik

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2008.05.001

Cited by 96 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The highest woody species richness in the Chire traditional agroforestry could be due to its relatively well organized irrigation activities compared with the other study Kebeles. The woody species richness of the study area was comparable with another study in Ethiopia ( [34]: 64 woody species from Beseku) and lower than a study in Nicaragua ( [35]: 83 tree species). In addition, the woody species richness in this study was lower compared with several other studies: for example, 120 trees and shrubs from Sidama in Southern Ethiopia [10], 459 tree and shrub species around Mt.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Woody Species Diversity in Traditional Agroforestry Practices of Dellomenna District, Southeastern Ethiopia: Implication for Maintaining Native Woody Species

Molla

Kewessa

2015

International Journal of Biodiversity

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The major impact of humans on forest ecosystems including loss of forest area, habitat fragmentation, and soil degradation leads to losses of biodiversity. These problems can be addressed by integration of agriculture with forests and maintaining the existing forests. This study was initiated to assess woody species diversity of traditional agroforestry practices. Three study sites (Burkitu, Chire, and Erba) were selected based on the presence of agroforestry practice. Forty-eight (48) sample quadrants having an area of 20 m × 20 m, 16 sample quadrants in each study site, were systematically laid using four transect lines at different distance. The diversity of woody species was analyzed by using different diversity indices. A total of 55 woody species belonging to 31 families were identified and documented. There were significantly different ( < 0.05) among the study Kebeles (peasant associations). Mangifera indica, Entada abyssinica, and Croton macrostachyus were found to have the highest Important Value Index. The results confirmed that traditional agroforestry plays a major role in the conservation of native woody species. However, threats to woody species were observed. Therefore, there is a need to undertake conservation practices before the loss of species.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Woody Species Diversity in Traditional Agroforestry Practices of Dellomenna District, Southeastern Ethiopia: Implication for Maintaining Native Woody Species

Molla

Kewessa

2015

International Journal of Biodiversity

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“…Our results align with that of Tolera et al (2008), who found that the woody plant species richness was much higher in home gardens than in adjacent crop fields. Homegardens have the highest woody plant diversity in part because homeowners feel a stronger sense of ownership, and plants in home gardens benefit from the direct care of household members.…”

Section: Number Of Indigenous and Exotic Woody Speciessupporting

confidence: 82%

Diversity of Indigenous Woody Species in Small Holder Farm Lands: Comparison across Different Agroecology and Land Use Types in Chilga and Dabat District, Northern Ethiopia

Abate

Tebikew

Gebremariam

2018

int.jour.sci.res.mana

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Ethiopia is known for its massive expansion of plantations and woodlots, that are mainly of monocultures of the exotic tree species, Eucalyptus, which has still remained the pre-dominant tree components of plantations as well as farming systems in different parts of Ethiopian highlands, including the highlands in North Gondar. However, the status of indigenous/native tree species in these areas has become very limited, and is considered at risk. The current study was conducted in Chiliga and Dabat districts of North Gondar zone; it assessed (i) indigenous woody species diversity of farmlands in different agro-ecologies and farm land use categories, (ii) management and conservation practices carried out by farmers, and (iii) major constraints for enhancing on-farm integration of indigenous woody species. Primary data was obtained using such methods as, formal household survey, group discussion, observation and woody species inventory in two villages selected randomly from highland and mid highland for Dabat, and mid land and lowland for Chiliga district. A complete census of all woody individuals was conducted on all plots/parcels of 80 households. A total of 35 species were encountered in the farm lands of the studied area. Six of the total species was exotic, and constitute about 85% of the total abundance. The number of woody species per household increased with decreased agroecological gradient, and the largest value of stem number was found at the highland, followed by at mid highland, whereas least stem number was found in the lowland site. Likewise, the study found that home gardens host more diverse indigenous species than other land use types. Even though farm lands in the study areas were home to different indigenous woody species higher in number than exotic species, it was possible to confirm the already reported evidence that revealed exotic species have been remaining the pre-dominant tree components of the agricultural landscapes in different parts of Ethiopian highlands. However, the fact that remnant native tree individuals are currently growing with in the agricultural landscapes is an indication of the opportunity for integrating and managing native tree species through Agroforestry systems. The study concludes that there is a considerable possibilities of native and indigenous species to exist as an integral component of agricultural land use systems in Northern highlands where Eucalyptus expansion has remained the main focus of research and extension efforts.

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“…This may be due to environmental variability, such as altitude, soils and species adaptability, and management strategy and intensity (Hervé and Vidal 2008). Similarly, species differences were reported due to altitudinal gradients in the south-central highland of Ethiopia (Tolera et al 2008). Native tree species were also higher in enset-AF and enset-coffee-AF.…”

Section: Woody Species Composition and Diversitymentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Conservation of biodiversity in the agroforestry landuse system is also attributed to the greater number of species within limited areas in the agricultural landscape. Farmers also have a practice of retaining valuable tree species, which act as islands or refuges for many species (Tolera et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of indigenous multistrata agroforests for maintaining native floristic diversity in the south-eastern Rift Valley escarpment, Ethiopia

2011

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Most studies undertaken in the field of agroforestry have focussed on system design, soil fertility management, and system interactions. Less emphasis has been placed on biodiversity aspects. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of indigenous, multistrata agroforests for maintaining native woody species diversity in the south-eastern Rift Valley escarpment, Ethiopia. A total of 60 farms, representing three agroforest types (enset-AF, enset-coffee-AF and fruit-coffee-AF), were randomly selected along altitudinal gradients. Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a perennial, herbaceous monocarpic banana-like plant which serves as a food plant in Ethiopia. The three agroforests are results of the domestication of natural forests and intensification of the landuse systems centuries ago. Sample-based assessment protocols were employed to place sample quadrats and to measure all individuals in the quadrats. A total of 58 woody species, belonging to 49 genera and 30 families, was recorded. Of all woody species identified, 86% were native. The highest proportion of native woody species was recorded in enset-AF (92%), followed by enset-coffee-AF (89%) and fruit-coffee-AF (82%). Among native tree species, Millettia ferruginea and Cordia africana were the most widespread. In all, 22 native woody species were recorded as of interest for conservation, acccording to IUCN Red lists and local criteria. Among them, Pygeum africanum and Rhus glutinosa were categorised as vulnerable in the wild, and in need of conservation priority. The introduction of non-native fruit trees in agroforests can be a threat to maintenance of native woody species. Management strategies favoring enset and coffee will also put other native tree species at risk. A smaller number of native woody species was recorded in fruitcoffee-AF, but a higher mean basal area and stem number. The mean basal area and stem number ranged from 5.4 ± 0.5 to 11.7 ± 1.0 m 2 ha -1 and 625 ± 84 to 1,505 ± 142 stems ha -1 , respectively. Altitude explained 68 and 71% of the variation in species richness and abundance, respectively. Finally, it is concluded that recognition of the indigenous agroforestry system as an option for maintaining native woody species should be given more attention, to counteract the local threat of these species from the wild.

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Woody species diversity in a changing landscape in the south-central highlands of Ethiopia

Cited by 96 publications

References 9 publications

Woody Species Diversity in Traditional Agroforestry Practices of Dellomenna District, Southeastern Ethiopia: Implication for Maintaining Native Woody Species

Woody Species Diversity in Traditional Agroforestry Practices of Dellomenna District, Southeastern Ethiopia: Implication for Maintaining Native Woody Species

Diversity of Indigenous Woody Species in Small Holder Farm Lands: Comparison across Different Agroecology and Land Use Types in Chilga and Dabat District, Northern Ethiopia

Potential of indigenous multistrata agroforests for maintaining native floristic diversity in the south-eastern Rift Valley escarpment, Ethiopia

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