VEGETATION COMPOSITION, CONDITION ASSESSMENT, AND TRADITIONAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF RANGELAND IN SAWENA DISTRICT OF EAST BALE ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The rangeland vegetation composition, health and condition analysis are basic source of information in the sustainable management and planning of rangelands. Therefore, this study aimed to determine vegetation composition, diversity and abundance as well as to assess rangeland condition and traditional management practices in Sawena district of east Bale zone. Three kebeles were identified using stratified random sampling techniques based on altitudinal variation and 92 households were selected using random sampling techniques proportionally from three kebeles. Both structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used for individual households. Vegetation data was collected from 36 quadrats having the size of (20m*20m) (400m2 ) for tree species as well as sub-quadrats of (5m*5m) 25m2 within the main quadrat for shrubs and (1m*1m) (1m2 ) for herbaceous species using nested plot design. Transect lines was followed and the distance between quadrat along the transect line was 100m. Frequency and percentage were used in respondents’ data analysis. Shannon Wiener's diversity index, Simpson index, species richness, and evenness were computed to describe the vegetation composition. A total of 30 woody plant species were collected and out of these 17 species were tree and 13 species were shrubs. In addition, 23 herbaceous species were collected in the study area. The Shannon’s diversity index of woody plant species were 1.62, 1.93 and 2.2 in dry to wet cool highland, dry to moist lowland and arid lowland, respectively. The evenness of woody plant species were 0.6, 0.69 and 0.77 in dry to wet cool highland, dry to moist lowland and arid lowland, respectively. The traditional rangeland management practices indicated that herds splitting, mobility during dry season, controlling bush encroachment, and enclosures are mainly used by the local communities. The total rangeland condition score of dry to wet cool highland was 26.49±2.3, categorized as fair while dry to moist lowland and arid lowland were 19.0±2.14 and 18.49±1.9, categorized as poor. Generally, rangeland vegetation composition and condition showed a decreasing pattern due to lack of proper management practices, recurrent drought, and bush encroachment, which require attention from the local community and responsible sectors.