Search

Plantations have many economic and environmental benefits, but exotic plantations are widely viewed negatively mainly in relation to biological diversity conservation, and regenerations to prove this dilemma this study is necessary. This study was carried out in Tarmaber district north shewa zone Ethiopia to determine the effect of plantation forest with management intervention on woody plant species diversity, regeneration and soil seed bank species composition in five different forest types. A total of 75 circular sample plots of 314 m2 were established along a transect lines. Soil seed bank analysis was done from soil samples collected in each of the plots (225 samples) to examine the similarity between the soil seed bank and aboveground flora. Different diversity index and ANOVA was used in SPSS software for analysis. The result showed that a total of 51 woody plant species was recorded in adjacent natural forest (41), managed C. lusitanica (27), not managed C. lusitanica (9), managed E. globules (22) and not managed E. globules (13) species. Regeneration of seedlings were 3538, 5567, 707, 1462 and 2524 mean stems ha-1 for natural forest, managed C. lusitanica, not managed C. lusitanica, managed E. globulesand not managed E. globulesrespectively. Unmanaged C. lusitanicaplantations had significantly lower densities of mature tree stems ha-1 as compared to managed C. lusitanica, managed E. globulesand adjacent natural forest (F=14.03, p

Dry woodlands provide multifunctional benefits which grouped socioeconomic and ecological values. Despite these advantageous while recently threatened, the status of dry woodland attribute is not well understood, particularly Alitash National Park (ANP). Hence, woody species diversity, productivity and carbon stock potential of ANP were studied. Based on the collected data, a total of 24 woody species were identified. The computed Shannon-Wiener's diversity and evenness index were 2.11 and 0.66, respectively which indicated that moderate diversity and individual species were sparsely distributed horizontally. The study site was dominated by few individuals of woody species that exhibited the highest value of IVI. Population structure pattern of woody species showed F shape indicates the first class exhibited good regeneration. Whereas, species in the second classes interrupted the seedling establishment phase and transformation to sapling stage as a result of disturbance caused by anthropogenic, grazing and frequent firing. Stand basal area, volume and AGB were 8.57 m2ha-1, 48.15 m3ha-1 and 49.06 ton ha-1, respectively. The estimated carbon stock of the stand was 27.7 ton ha-1. In conclusion, the results of woody vegetation attributes showed ANP is affected negatively caused by different disturbance indicate the need of appropriate intervention and management system although ANP is protected.

Ethiopia is known for its massive expansion of plantations and woodlots, that are mainly of monocultures of the exotic tree species, Eucalyptus, which has still remained the pre-dominant tree components of plantations as well as farming systems in different parts of Ethiopian highlands, including the highlands in North Gondar. However, the status of indigenous/native tree species in these areas has become very limited, and is considered at risk. The current study was conducted in Chiliga and Dabat districts of North Gondar zone; it assessed (i) indigenous woody species diversity of farmlands in different agro-ecologies and farm land use categories, (ii) management and conservation practices carried out by farmers, and (iii) major constraints for enhancing on-farm integration of indigenous woody species. Primary data was obtained using such methods as, formal household survey, group discussion, observation and woody species inventory in two villages selected randomly from highland and mid highland for Dabat, and mid land and lowland for Chiliga district. A complete census of all woody individuals was conducted on all plots/parcels of 80 households. A total of 35 species were encountered in the farm lands of the studied area. Six of the total species was exotic, and constitute about 85% of the total abundance. The number of woody species per household increased with decreased agroecological gradient, and the largest value of stem number was found at the highland, followed by at mid highland, whereas least stem number was found in the lowland site. Likewise, the study found that homegardens host more diverse indigenous species than other land use types. Even though farm lands in the study areas were home to different indigenous woody species higher in number than exotic species, it was possible to confirm the already reported evidence that revealed exotic species have been remaining the pre-dominant tree components of the agricultural landscapes in different parts of Ethiopian highlands. However, the fact that remnant native tree individuals are currently growing with in the agricultural landscapes is an indication of the opportunity for integrating and managing native tree species through Agroforestry systems. The study concludes that there is a considerable possibilities of native and indigenous species to exist as an integral component of agricultural land use systems in Northern highlands where Eucalyptus expansion has remained the main focus of research and extension efforts.