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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, which are adjacent natural forest, managed Cupressus lusitanica, unmanaged C. lusitanica, managed Eucalyptus globules and not managed E. globules plantation forests. 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. globules and not managed E. globules respectively. Unmanaged C. lusitanica plantations had significantly lower densities of mature tree stems ha− 1 as compared to managed C. lusitanica, managed E. globules and adjacent natural forest (F = 14.03, p − 1 unmanaged C. lusitanica was significantly lower from other forest types (F = 7.37, p C. lusitanica had significantly higher seedling regeneration (stem density ha− 1) than other plantation and adjacent natural forests (F = 16.11, p C. lusitanica was significantly higher among different forest types (F = 13.01, p C. lusitanica (11), unmanaged C. lusitanica (4), managed E. globules (7) and unmanaged E. globules (5). The similarity of the oil seed bank was more or less similar to the above ground flora with maximum Sorenson’s similarity values of 0.633. Generally with appropriate management intervention undergrowth vegetation and soil seed bank status in plantation forest had good species composition and diversity.

Background Wild edible plants are of crucial importance in all parts of the world in supporting global food basket (about one billion people) on a daily basis. They are means of survival for rural communities, especially during times of drought, famine, shocks and risks. This study assessed wild edible plants, uses, management practices and their threats in Quara district. It further investigates the implication of wild edible plants utilization for forest management. Methods Structured and semi-structured questionnaire interview, focus group discussion, rapid market survey and informants guided filed walks were used to collect data in three purposively selected administrative Kebeles. A total of ninety-four randomly selected sample households were interviewed for data collection. Both quantitative and qualitative data analyses were made. Descriptive and regression analysis were made to analyze the data using SPSS version 16.0. Results The area harbors a total of 36 wild edible plants. In addition to food values, these plants provide diverse benefits to the local community including income, fuel wood, fencing, construction, medicine and fodder. Adansonia digitata L., Ziziphus spina-christi Willd, Ximenia Americana L., Tamarindus indica L. and Balanites aegyptiaca L. were highly cited species by respondents. WEPs were threatened by anthropogenic factors including fire, agricultural expansion, deforestation, free grazing, fuel wood and construction. Conclusions Given the number of WEPs resource base, wise utilization and further commercialization of them could support local livelihoods while creating incentive for the management of forests. In addition, value addition could help to link the producers in and around the natural forests to the local, regional and international markets. Doing so will improve the incomes from the WEPs and creates further incentive for domestication. Controlling outsiders/nomads and designing participatory forest management will bring wise utilization of the resource.

Dry woodland ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon balance and these need accurate biomass predictions that can be obtained from tree allometry. However, information on allometric models is limited for Combretum-Terminalia woodlands of the Amhara Region in Northwestern Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to develop an allometric model for the aboveground biomass (AGBind) of the tree species in the study areas. A total of 149 trees were considered to predict the AGBind (stems, branches and leaves) of the selected species of which 101 samples were collected from nine tree species in Metema district, and 48 sample trees were obtained from four species in Quara district. A new model was developed using log-transformed data with linear regression, and their performance was assessed with the mean absolute prediction error (MAPE%) and the mean prediction error (MPE%). The results of the study indicated that Diameter at breast height (DBH) was the best predictor variable of biomass components for all species. For site-specific data, combined DBH, tree height and wood density best explained the stem and AGBind with the MAPE ranged 18.6–19.2% compared with the DBH-alone model (MAPE ranging from 29.8 to 30.2%). A positive validation was observed on all model forms, but M3 and M4 provided highly precise predictions of AGBind for independent data. However, a large bias was observed in the branch and leaf biomass model for site-specific data with the MAPE ranged 66.6–72.8%. A little improvement was observed in the model performance of plant functional type, while general models developed from the compiled data performed well. For a given model form, a comparable performance was found between the site-specific, tree functional type and general model. Generally, the general model with DBH and wood density together followed by the one which includes three predictors was a better AGBind predictor over the site and tree functional type. The species and site-specific models are thus accurate for site-based prediction whereas the general model contributes to the reliable prediction of AGBind in the studied Combretum-Terminalia woodlands. The comparison with the published models showed that most models produced large errors with MPE ranging from 16.10 to 36.60%, but the best model of tropical dry forests performed much better with MPE ranging from -2.24 to 0.34% and these models can probably be used for Combretum-Terminalia woodland.

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.

Ethiopian highland bamboo is a multipurpose and a fast growing plant that supports local livelihoods in many ways. It is a source of food, fodder, furniture, textile raw material, building material, industrial inputs, fuel and other purposes in Ethiopia. Physical properties are considered to be important factors in determining the suitability of bamboo for various applications. A sufficient knowledge of the physical properties of bamboo ensures safe design for materials used in service. In this study, Effects of age and height on the basic density, moisture content, wall thickness and culm diameter of Ethiopian highland bamboo (Yushinia alpina) were studied on 2, 3 and 4 years-old bamboo. The result of the study show that four years old bamboo had the highest moisture content and wall thickness and the lowest density and culm diameter. Density and culm diameter did not show significant difference between 2, 3, and 4 years of old bamboo. However, variation in moisture content and wall thickness were observed between the three age groups. Density had greatest in bottom and lowest, in the top. There is no variation of moisture content, wall thickness and culm diameter at different height positions (Bottom, Middle and Top).

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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.