EFFECTS OF CONVENTIONAL WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ON VEGETATION ATTRIBUTES AND ASSOCIATED SOCIO ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO LOCAL COMMUNITY IN DIRE DAWA ADMINISTRATION ETHIOPIA

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.