Woody Species Diversity, Structure, and Management of Parkland Agroforestry along Agroecology: The Case of Tembaro Special District, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Parkland contributes economic, social, and ecological benefits worldwide. However, parklands degradation is an encounter to biodiversity loss needs generating information on woody species. This study was aimed to investigate woody species composition, diversity, structure, and management of parklands along Agroecology, and farmers’ wealth status. Multistage sampling technique was employed. Highland Bede Kebele, and midland Durgi Kebele were randomly selected. A total of 60 quadrats with size of 100m x 50m were used for inventory. A total of 276 respondents were used. Species richness, Shannon, Simpson, and evenness diversity indices were subjected to one-way ANOVA, and independent t-test for comparison STATA V. 17.0. Of 31 woody species, (16 families in 26 genera) observed, 26 woody species belonging to 13 families in 22 genera from midland while 18 woody species belonging to 12 families in 16 genera from highland parklands were observed. Species richness 6.8, 3.7; Shannon 1.82, 1.68; Simpson 0.85, 0.73; evenness 0.83, 0.7 were observed in midland, and highland parklands, respectively. Poorly regenerated stands were observed along Agroecology. Pruning, pollarding, coppicing, lopping, cutting, fertilizing, watering were common management practices. In conclusion, woody species diversity, and structure were affected by Agroecology, and socioeconomic factors needing intervention to enhancing woody species conservation.