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This study assessed vegetation structure and regeneration status of woody species in Gerba Dima forest, southwestern Ethiopia. Ninety sample plots measuring 25 m × 25 m were laid through a stratified random sampling procedure. The studied forest was stratified into three forest strata based on its altitudinal variation. Stratum I was found at an altitudinal range of 1500−1800 m, while strata II and III were located at altitudinal ranges of 1801−2000 m and 2001−2300 m, respectively. All woody plant species with a diameter at breast height (dbh) equal to or larger than 2.5 cm and a height of at least 1.5 m were recorded. Analysis of the structure of the vegetation was conducted using frequency distribution of dbh, height, and importance value (IV). The regeneration pattern of the study species was assessed by employing the total count of seedlings and saplings. The density of woody species in the study area was 1829 individuals ha−1. Basal area of the Gerba Dima forest was 65.05 m2ha−1. Total densities of seedlings, saplings, and trees/shrubs were 4558 ha−1, 2149 ha−1, and 1515 ha−1, respectively. Structural analysis and assessment of the regeneration status of woody species in the Gerba Dima forest showed that the overall ecological condition of the forest was healthy as indicated by inverse J‐curve dbh distribution, which showed a large number of individuals in lower dbh classes. Furthermore, a large number of seedlings and saplings were recorded for most species, in addition to the presence of a sufficient number of matured trees. However, some species exhibited abnormal population structure and abnormal patterns of regeneration characterized by fewer or no individuals in lower dbh, as well as in seedling and sapling stages. It was thus concluded that species with abnormal population structure and regeneration status (e.g., Sapium ellipticum and Trichilia dregeana) require urgent conservation attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the IUCN threat level, Senegalia venosa is one of the species that has endangered status and is restricted in Tigray and Gonder drylands. The purpose of this study was to identify the distribution of the Senegalia venosa species, assess its regeneration status, and map its location for potential future conservation efforts. Plant attributes and environmental data (including disturbance factors) were collected from plots (10 m x 10 m) where the species was found. Accordingly, Senegalia venosa was found in 11 sites in the study area. The number of mature, sapling, and seedling individuals in the sampled area was counted and density was computed. The mature plant of the species had the highest density (363.6 stems/ha) in terms of the species' regeneration status, followed by the sapling (254.5 stems/ha) and seedling (154.5 stems/ha). This implies Senegalia venosa has poor regeneration status, which could be associated with revealed disturbance factors including charcoal production, cutting and grazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite their paramount importance all over the globe in supporting food security, information about wild edible plants is generally patchy. In this study, we investigated the wild edible plants used by the local people in the Soro District of Hadiya Zone, southern Ethiopia. The main purpose of the study was to document and analyze the indigenous and local knowledge of the people on their abundance, diversity, use and management. Methods and materials: Purposive sampling and systematic random sampling were used to identify informants who can give information about the wild edible plants of the area. Data were collected by interviewing 26 purposively sampled key informants and 128 systematically randomly sampled general informants using semi-structured interviews. Guided observations and 13 focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting of 5–12 participants/discussants at each FGD session were also undertaken. Statistical analyses (mainly descriptive statistics approaches) and common analytical tools of ethnobotany including informant consensus, informant consensus factor, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, paired comparison and index of fidelity level were applied to the data sets. Results: A total of 64 wild edible plant species belonging to 52 genera and 39 families were recorded. All of these species are indigenous, 16 are new additions to the database and seven of them, including Urtica simensis and Thymus schimperi, are endemic to Ethiopia. In about 82.81% of the species, the edible plant part is also used in the Ethiopian traditional herbal medicine. It is striking to see that almost all wild edible plants recorded from the study area are nutraceutical plant species, serving multiple roles as food and therapeutic sources for the local people. We recorded five growth habits of 34.38% trees, 32.81% herbs, 25% shrubs, 6.25% climbers, and 1.56% liana. We found the Flacourtiaceae, Solanaceae, and Moraceae to be families that represented more species (4 each), followed by Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Asteraceae, which accounted for 3 species each. Fruits (53.13%) and leaves (31.25%) were consumed in more proportions than other edible parts (15.63%); mostly the ripe, raw fruit is eaten upon simple processing, followed by leaves eaten after boiling, roasting and cooking. Conclusion: The frequency and intensity of consumption of these plants varied significantly (P < 0.05) with gender differences, key and general informants, and people's religious backgrounds. We postulate that priority setting for in situ and ex situ conservation of multipurpose wild edible plants in human-inhabited landscapes is essential to warrant sustainable use and conservation of the species as well as the use of new modes of application and valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cheleleka Wetland is located in the Ethiopian Rift Valley on the upper shore of Lake Hawassa, after which the regional capital is named. This study investigated the relationship between water quality and the occurrence and diversity of macrophyte species of the wetland. Spatio-temporal variability in terms of water quality and macrophytes were studied in the wet and dry seasons at purposely-selected sites selected based on human disturbance levels. Six sites were selected, two from each of 'severely', 'moderately' and 'least disturbed', and data collected on water quality parameters, macrophytes richness and abundance. The results showed 25 macrophyte species dominated by Cyperaceae (24%), Poaceae (20%) and Nymphaeaceae (12%). Species diversity and abundance were significantly different between seasons and among the sampling sites (p < 0.05), with the richest taxa recorded at the least disturbed sites. A redundancy analysis of the species–environment relationships identified nutrient loads as significant drivers of macrophyte diversity and abundance in the wetland. Generally, the results showed the spatial and temporal variation of macrophyte diversity and abundance are affected by water quality, and poor water quality has resulted in poor ecological conditions of the Cheleleka Wetland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of environmental factors on the diversity of macroinvertebrates was studied in the wetlands of the Gilgel Abay River (GAR) catchment in Ethiopia. The study was done between September 2017 and March 2018, encompassing both wet and dry seasons. Six study wetlands from the GAR catchment were selected in a targeted manner based on the surrounding land use, exposure to anthropogenic disturbances and accessibility to conduct a quantitative study. The relationships between biological and environmental variables were evaluated by using multivariate analyses. Altogether, 36 families of macroinvertebrates were identified. Macroinvertebrate diversity indices were significantly higher at less impaired sites, compared with more impaired sites. Several families of Ephemeroptera, Odonata and Trichoptera taxa, including Corduliidae, Calopterygidae, Baetidae, Aeshnidae, Polymitarcyidae, Hydropsychidae, Heptageniidae, Polycentrapodidae, Hydroptilidae and Philopotamidae were negatively correlated with organic and inorganic pollutants and human disturbances and might be considered as potential indicators of less impaired sites. Conversely, the families Chironomidae, Hirudinidae and Libellulidae were positively correlated with biological oxygen demand, ammonium and human disturbance score and negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen. Generally, results of macroinvertebrate diversity and composition in this study indicate poor ecological condition of the wetlands, particularly those adjacent to agricultural and urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement Summary Arabica coffee grows in the forests and woodlands of Ethiopia. These Arabica coffee populations contain a reservoir of the highest genetic variation of this species, which is extremely valuable from a biodiversity conservation and coffee breeding point of view. Knowledge about the distribution of these populations, including how and to what extent they have been managed by local communities now and in the past, is limited. We reveal insights into the history, distribution, and management of Arabica coffee populations in the remaining forests of Ethiopia, which is essential for developing effective conservation policies for this globally important resource. To guide conservation of forest biodiversity in a broad sense, we need to understand the landscape‐level variation in current and historical management practices of agroforestry systems. We collected data on coffee management practices across a large forested landscape in Ethiopia within Arabica coffee's indigenous distribution, using interviews in 11 villages and field surveys and interviews at 78 coffee sites in the forest. There was a gradient in coffee density (higher), liana cover (lower), and canopy cover (lower) from sites with high management intensity to sites without management. Recently, management intensity has increased in the forest edges. Interviews suggest that substantial areas of currently unmanaged coffee forests are a legacy of reforestation of abandoned (semi‐) open landscapes in the late 19th century. Despite a dynamic history of coffee cultivation across these areas, the conservation of forest biodiversity, including unmanaged populations of genetically diverse Arabica coffee, should be a priority, given the few such remaining areas in Ethiopia and elsewhere in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]