American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

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Woody Species Diversity and Composition of Dry Woodland Vegetation in West Shewa, Central Ethiopia: Implications for Their Sustainable Management

Received: 31 August 2019    Accepted: 04 October 2019    Published: 15 November 2019
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Abstract

The dry land forest of Ethiopia possesses diverse tree species that are known for their ecological and economic values. Despite growing recognition of environmental and economic benefits of these species, the woodland harbouring these species is degrading. Adequate knowledge on the resource base including the current status of its population is crucial for sustainable management of the forest resource. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the diversity and composition of woody species in Kara dry lands forest. A total of 90 quadrants were established along transect lines. A 400 m2 quadrants was used, distance between quadrants and transecting lines were 200 m and 500 m respectively. Species diversity and evenness, density, frequency, important value and regeneration status were assessed. This study reveals total of 48 woody species representing 23 families and 31 genera’s were found. Out of that, 13 woody species were identified as gum and resin bearing species. The genus of Commiphora and Acacia species were found to be the dominant gum and resin bearing species at the study area. Diversity of the entire woody species assemblage and of the gum- and resin-bearing species was H= 3.47 and H= 2.3 respectively. The evenness values of entire and gum and resin producing woody species were 0.67 and 0.77 respectively. The gum and resin producing woody species accounted for 44.56% of the density, 49.87% of the basal area and 45.49% of the Importance Value Index. However, we recorded the declining natural regeneration of most gum- and resin-bearing woody species except for a small number of species, which exhibited signs of healthy populations. Generally, the results of the present study highlighted the absence of conservation actions that will probably be subject to a progressive decline of gum and resin bearing species because of uncontrolled grazing, charcoal production and shifting cultivation. Therefore, proper management plan and domestication of the species through artificial regeneration and area closure are urgently needed.

DOI 10.11648/j.ajaf.20190706.16
Published in American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry (Volume 7, Issue 6, November 2019)
Page(s) 282-289
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Composition, Diversity, Importance Value Index, Woody Species, Woodland

References
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Author Information
  • Department of Forestry, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia

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    Gadisa Demie. (2019). Woody Species Diversity and Composition of Dry Woodland Vegetation in West Shewa, Central Ethiopia: Implications for Their Sustainable Management. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 7(6), 282-289. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20190706.16

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    Gadisa Demie. Woody Species Diversity and Composition of Dry Woodland Vegetation in West Shewa, Central Ethiopia: Implications for Their Sustainable Management. Am. J. Agric. For. 2019, 7(6), 282-289. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20190706.16

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    Gadisa Demie. Woody Species Diversity and Composition of Dry Woodland Vegetation in West Shewa, Central Ethiopia: Implications for Their Sustainable Management. Am J Agric For. 2019;7(6):282-289. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20190706.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajaf.20190706.16,
      author = {Gadisa Demie},
      title = {Woody Species Diversity and Composition of Dry Woodland Vegetation in West Shewa, Central Ethiopia: Implications for Their Sustainable Management},
      journal = {American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry},
      volume = {7},
      number = {6},
      pages = {282-289},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajaf.20190706.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20190706.16},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaf.20190706.16},
      abstract = {The dry land forest of Ethiopia possesses diverse tree species that are known for their ecological and economic values. Despite growing recognition of environmental and economic benefits of these species, the woodland harbouring these species is degrading. Adequate knowledge on the resource base including the current status of its population is crucial for sustainable management of the forest resource. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the diversity and composition of woody species in Kara dry lands forest. A total of 90 quadrants were established along transect lines. A 400 m2 quadrants was used, distance between quadrants and transecting lines were 200 m and 500 m respectively. Species diversity and evenness, density, frequency, important value and regeneration status were assessed. This study reveals total of 48 woody species representing 23 families and 31 genera’s were found. Out of that, 13 woody species were identified as gum and resin bearing species. The genus of Commiphora and Acacia species were found to be the dominant gum and resin bearing species at the study area. Diversity of the entire woody species assemblage and of the gum- and resin-bearing species was H= 3.47 and H= 2.3 respectively. The evenness values of entire and gum and resin producing woody species were 0.67 and 0.77 respectively. The gum and resin producing woody species accounted for 44.56% of the density, 49.87% of the basal area and 45.49% of the Importance Value Index. However, we recorded the declining natural regeneration of most gum- and resin-bearing woody species except for a small number of species, which exhibited signs of healthy populations. Generally, the results of the present study highlighted the absence of conservation actions that will probably be subject to a progressive decline of gum and resin bearing species because of uncontrolled grazing, charcoal production and shifting cultivation. Therefore, proper management plan and domestication of the species through artificial regeneration and area closure are urgently needed.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Woody Species Diversity and Composition of Dry Woodland Vegetation in West Shewa, Central Ethiopia: Implications for Their Sustainable Management
    AU  - Gadisa Demie
    Y1  - 2019/11/15
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaf.20190706.16
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    JF  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    JO  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
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    EP  - 289
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8591
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20190706.16
    AB  - The dry land forest of Ethiopia possesses diverse tree species that are known for their ecological and economic values. Despite growing recognition of environmental and economic benefits of these species, the woodland harbouring these species is degrading. Adequate knowledge on the resource base including the current status of its population is crucial for sustainable management of the forest resource. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the diversity and composition of woody species in Kara dry lands forest. A total of 90 quadrants were established along transect lines. A 400 m2 quadrants was used, distance between quadrants and transecting lines were 200 m and 500 m respectively. Species diversity and evenness, density, frequency, important value and regeneration status were assessed. This study reveals total of 48 woody species representing 23 families and 31 genera’s were found. Out of that, 13 woody species were identified as gum and resin bearing species. The genus of Commiphora and Acacia species were found to be the dominant gum and resin bearing species at the study area. Diversity of the entire woody species assemblage and of the gum- and resin-bearing species was H= 3.47 and H= 2.3 respectively. The evenness values of entire and gum and resin producing woody species were 0.67 and 0.77 respectively. The gum and resin producing woody species accounted for 44.56% of the density, 49.87% of the basal area and 45.49% of the Importance Value Index. However, we recorded the declining natural regeneration of most gum- and resin-bearing woody species except for a small number of species, which exhibited signs of healthy populations. Generally, the results of the present study highlighted the absence of conservation actions that will probably be subject to a progressive decline of gum and resin bearing species because of uncontrolled grazing, charcoal production and shifting cultivation. Therefore, proper management plan and domestication of the species through artificial regeneration and area closure are urgently needed.
    VL  - 7
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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