Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management

ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL AND WILD EDIBLE PLANTS IN DIRE DISTRICT, BORANA ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

2024-02-05T08:26:50Z

ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL AND WILD EDIBLE PLANTS IN DIRE DISTRICT, BORANA ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA Machi Dida Boru; Antenah Belayneh (PhD); Ermias Lulekal (PhD) There is a potential of medicinal and wild edible plants (WEP) species lore in the Dire district of Borana Zone, which was unexplored for scientific investigation, conservation and sustainable utilization. Therefore, this ethnobotanical study was conducted to explore these potential biodiversity resources in the study area. A total of 136 respondents were selected to collect ethnobotanical data on medicinal and WEP species from four sampled Kebele’s locally called Areda (the smallest administrative structure in Oromia). Interview, focus group discussion (FGD), and guided field walks were conducted with 136 respondents. Informant consensus factor (ICF), preference ranking, paired comparison and direct matrix ranking were calculated. A total of 54 traditional medicinal and 25 wild edible plant species were collected from the study area. About 89.09% species were collected from wild vegetation and 3.64% species from home gardens and 7.27% species were common in both wild and home ga rdens. All edible plants were collected from the wild habitat. The most frequently used medicinal plant parts were roots (43.6%), followed by leaves (23.6%), barks (10.9%), and (10.9%) of stems. The dominant wild edible plant’s part used were fruit (44.83%), root (20.69%), and tuber (13.79%). Among the disease categories respiratory tract problems had higher ICF value of 0.95. Direct matrix ranking showed Vachellia bussei and Grewia villosa as the most utilized species by the community. The recurrent drought aggravated by climate change was the major threat to medicinal and WEP species in the study area followed by habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion. This study encouraged the need for the conservation of such valuable plant species and associated ethnomedicinal knowledge in such drought prone areas to enhance the biodiversity specially to conserve drought-resistant WEP species. Moreover, such documentation of comprehensive ethnomedicinal knowledge is valuable and needs to be scaled-up so that it could be followed up with pharmacological and nutritional analyses in order to give scientific ground to the ethnobotanical knowledge 96p.

TREE DIVERSITY AND THEIR CARBON STOCK IN SELECTED URBAN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURES, LILONGWE CITY, MALAWI

2024-01-03T06:41:23Z

TREE DIVERSITY AND THEIR CARBON STOCK IN SELECTED URBAN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURES, LILONGWE CITY, MALAWI Masautso Chikuwi.; (PhD) Anteneh Belayneh; (PhD) Edward Missanjo Urban vegetation stands as a pivotal ecosystem for the provision and support of ecosystem services in towns and cities leading to the attainment of SDG 11: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” In pursuit of this goal, this study aimed at determining the present urban tree species richness, diversity and carbon stock potential in Lilongwe City, Malawi. Six distinct urban forest types were identified: Cemeteries, Institutional lands, Parks and Recreation, Residential, Riverine, and Roadside/Avenues. Stratified random sampling was done in order to come up with the required number of samples. For parks/recreation and cemeteries sample plots of 20m x 20m and 10m x 10m were laid respectively. For roads and riverine, sample plots were laid side by side of 20m x 20m at an interval of 500m. For institutions and residential areas, a total count of trees was done and the area for each was measured. In each sample plot/area, a full tree inventory was conducted. A total of 4,031 individual trees was recorded comprising of 166 tree species across all six forest types, with five species common to all forest types. Residential forests recorded the highest tree species richness with 87 and Riverine was the least with 15. Only 38 tree species were found in parks/recreation, 37 in residential, 15 in institutional lands, 4 in road/avenue, and 1 in cemeteries. Furthermore, the Rẻnyi diversity profile for residential forests was above the profiles of the other forest types signifying it being more diverse than others; albeit with an uneven distribution of individual tree species, primarily attributed to the dominance of Mangifera indica. Similarly, the shape of profiles for other forest types were less horizontal. An even distribution of individual species in an ecosystem signifies a healthier ecosystem critical in sustaining ecosystem services. Carbon stock estimation revealed a mean of 51.67±5.27 t/ha with 7.21% uncertainty, and significant differences (P<0.001) among forest types. Pairwise analysis demonstrated non-significant differences (P>0.05) in carbon stock estimation between institutional and cemetery forests, recreation and residential forests, as well as riverine and avenue forests. Therefore, the present results suggest that all six forest types are disturbed and need appropriate management. Hence the study outcomes offer a foundation for informed decision-making by town planners. There is also need for a comprehensive study to estimate carbon emissions, particularly in Lilongwe's industrial areas, to address the holistic sustainability of the city's urban environment Haramaya University

ALLOMETRIC EQUATION FOR ESTIMATING HIGHLAND BAMBOO (Oldeania alpina (K. SCHUM.) STAPLETON) CARBON POOLS ALONG ALTITUDINAL GRADIENTS: THE CASE OF GARAMBA FOREST, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

2023-12-05T13:15:31Z

ALLOMETRIC EQUATION FOR ESTIMATING HIGHLAND BAMBOO (Oldeania alpina (K. SCHUM.) STAPLETON) CARBON POOLS ALONG ALTITUDINAL GRADIENTS: THE CASE OF GARAMBA FOREST, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA ELSABET BEFIKADU; . Sintayehu Workeneh (Ph.D.); Mehari Alebachew (Ph.D.) Due to a lack of species-site-specific models, information about the carbon (C) stock potential of highland bamboo in various carbon pools is limited. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop an allometric equation for estimating highland bamboo C pools along altitudinal gradients in Garamba forest, southern Ethiopia. Using a systematic design approach, 34 plots were chosen and placed along a transect in the altitude range. Then, bamboo culm diameter at breast height (DBH), height (H) and number of culms were collected. A total of 102 soil samples were collected to determine the soil bulk density and soil organic carbon (SOC) from three different depth classes. A composite 17 litter samples were collected. Besides, a total of 102 bamboo culms covering the full range of sizes were destructively sampled. A subsample of bamboo biomass components and litter were taken to the laboratory to determine the C content. Allometric equations in the form of power models were formulated for all age groups of bamboo by evaluating the statistical relationships of measurable variables (DBH and H) and dry total biomass (TB). The best models were validated by leave-one-out cross-validation procedures and results were compared based on model performance statistics. The data analysis was performed using R software. The result of the study showed significant (p<0.05) stand density, DBH and height differences between the three altitudinal ranges. The average culm density, DBH and height were 12,120.6 ± 3,560.5 culms ha-1 , 5.1 ± 0.9 cm and 9.2 ± 1.9 m respectively. The study also revealed that the strongest predictor variables for estimating TB for each of the age groups was DBH (R = 0.97). Accordingly, the better performing equations are TBage<1 = 1.005 × 0.107 × D2.167, TBage 1-3 = 1.005 × 0.198 × D2.083, TBage >3 = 1.025 × 0.155 × D2.414 and TBall age = 1.031 × 0.247 × D1.967. Except for SOC, both TB and litter carbons showed a significant variation among altitudinal classes and increased as altitude increases. The mean C stocks in TB, litter and SOC were 41.72 ± 18.59, 0.48 ± 0.17 and 252.60 ± 43.14 t C ha−1 respectively. The C stocks and CO2 equivalent of the Garamba bamboo forest were found to be 293.29 ± 47.25 and 1,076.37 ± 173.42 t C ha−1, respectively. In conclusion, the developed allometric models can be applied to estimate the biomass C storage potential of highland bamboo forests grown in Garamba as well as elsewhere. Garamba highland bamboo forest has significant C stock and sequestration potential. Therefore, sustainable management of these crucial vegetation resources will enhance their role in providing ecosystem services, including climate change mitigation. 76

HOMEGARDEN AGROBIODIVERSITY PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPACTS ON SMALLHOLDER HOUSEHOLDS’ FOOD SECURITY: THE CASE OF YAYA GULELE WOREDA, NORTH CENTRAL ETHIOPIA.

2023-11-02T06:01:49Z

HOMEGARDEN AGROBIODIVERSITY PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPACTS ON SMALLHOLDER HOUSEHOLDS’ FOOD SECURITY: THE CASE OF YAYA GULELE WOREDA, NORTH CENTRAL ETHIOPIA. NEGESSA HABTAMU; Anteneh Belayineh (PhD); Ketema Bekele (PhD) Homegarden agrobiodiversity practices are well developed and highly appreciated for the agroecosystem sustainability and socio-economic contributions to small holder farmers in Africa particularly in Ethiopia. There are a number of studies, which have been analyzed the homegarden agrobiodiversityin Africa as well as in Ethiopia.However, a comprehensive scientific study on the homegarden practices, its contribution to the economic and livelihood of the people were not done.Therefore, this study was conducted at Yaya Gulele Woreda, North Shoa Zone of Oromia Regional State with the aim of analyzing homegarden agrobiodiversity practices and their impacts on households’ food security. A total of 384 households were selected randomly using lottery system.Data collection method such as questionnaire, focus group discussion and interview were used to collect econometric data.Descriptive statistics, formulas, and econometric model were used in data analysis.Propensity score matching was used to analyze the impact of homegarden practicing on households’ food security.Ethnobotanical data were collected from each homegarden from which subplot systematically selected and stratified based on the plant type such as trees, shrubs and herbs.A total of 97 plants species were recorded from 192 selected homegardens, which belongs into 40 Family and 82Genera among which 56(57.73%) were herbs, 19(19.59%)were shrubs, and 22(22.68%) were trees. These plant species are used by the households as fodder, food, traditional medicinal plants, generating income, and maintaining ecosystem service. The study result indicates that among 384 households, 274(71.35) food secure and 110(28.65%) were food insecure. Among274(71.35) food securehouseholds, 148(38.54%) were practicing the homegarden and 126(32.81%) were not practicing homegarden. This study using logit model indicates that a number of factors inhibit households’ participation in homegarden agrobiodiversity, which is also affects households’ food security. These includes sex of households head, age of households’ head, family size, homegarden size, access of credit service, distance from water source, frequency of developmental agents’ contacts, distance from nearest market as well as occurrence of disease and pests. Compared to the past years, the status of homegarden agrobiodiversity decreased at the study area due to climate variability, lack of water, pests and disease and lack of awareness. Considering the significant contribution of the homegarden agrobiodiversity practice in the study area, the local agricultural activities and the communities need to give more attention to improve the food and nutritional security at the family level and consider as one of the climate smart agricultural practices. 111