Abstract:
The study was conducted in Adada, Awale and Biyo Awale kebele, Dire Dawa Administration,
with the objectives of evaluating the intervention and non-intervention area plant species
diversity, population distribution, and socio-economic advantages to local community. 20m×
20m main plot and 10 m × 10m subplots were lied down in each 36 selected intervention and
non-intervention area to collect trees and shrubs seedling and saplings data, respectively. In
each intervention and non-intervention area 12 parallel transects lines were laid at 300mt
interval with 100m away from the edge to avoid edge effect. The socio-economic advantages
to local community were studied through socio economic benefit survey questionnaires, group
discussions, personal observation, and secondary data were collected from Dire Dawa
agricultural development office. There was a significant difference in species richness,
diversity, evenness, and Important Value Index (IVI) of trees and shrubs seedling and
saplings, 1.676, +2.060, (P<0.05) between intervention and control area. Higher species
richness (R=6.79), species diversity (H'=2.879), evenness (E=9.5) and IVI (51.00 Acacia
tortilis) were observed at intervention area. Structural pattern of species in Adada, Biyo awale
and Awale coverage was 42, 39 and 34, seedling 30, 33 and 30 sapling and 27, 27 and 34
mature species, respectively. Density of woody species in Adada, Biyo awale and Awale
intervention area were 1266.6/ha, 900/ha and 1233/ha, respectively. Specie frequency in
intervention area was found more in A, B and C percentage classes (heterogeneous). Study
showed that conservations play a key role to rehabilitate woody species diversity of degraded
lands. Socioeconomic and ecological contributions of conservation intervention had positive
attitude in community which is a basis for future rehabilitation.
