Demel Teketay

Diversity and regeneration status of woody species in Tara Gedam and Abebaye forests, northwestern Ethiopia

A study was conducted in Tara Gedam and Abebaye forests l, northwestern Ethiopia to investigate the diversity, regeneration status, socio-economic importance and the factors causing destruction of the forests. A total of 30 plots, measuring 20 m ×20 m, were established along line transects laid across the forests. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method was employed to generate the socio-economic data. Primary data were collected by field observation, semi-structured interview with key informants and discussion with relevant stakeholders. A total of 143 woody species belonging to 114 genera and 57 families were recorded, and of all the species 44 (30.8%) were trees, 57 (39.9%) trees/shrubs, 33 (23.1%) shrubs and 9 (6.3%) lianas. The diversity and evenness of woody species in Tara Gedam forest are 2.98 and 0.65, respectively, and in Abebaye forest they are 1.31 and 0.31, respectively. The total density and basal area of woody species in Tara Gedam forest are 3001 individuals·ha−1 and 115.36 m2·ha−1, respectively, and in Abebaye forest the values are 2850 individuals·ha−1 and 49.45 m2·ha−1, respectively. The results on the importance value index (IVI) and DBH class distributions suggest that the species with low IVI value and poor regeneration status need to be prioritized for conservation. In the socio-economic survey, the responses from the key informants indicated that the forests are the major sources of fuelwood (90%), construction material (80%), timber (75%) and farm implements (55%). The forests are also sources of medicines, animal fodder, bee forage and edible fruits. Tara Gedam monastery, assisted by the local people who have strong religious belief and high respect to the monastery, has played a great role in the maintenance of the sacred forest since a long time. At present, the conservation efforts are made jointly by the monastery and institutions concerned with conservation. The major factors that cause destruction of the forests are livestock grazing, tree cutting for various purposes and farmland expansion. The implications of the results are discussed, and the recommendations are suggested for conservation, management and sustainable utilization of the forest ecosystems.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF GUM AND RESIN RESOURCES IN THE DRY WOODLANDS OF BORANA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT Drylands of Borana Zone, southern Ethiopia, are endowed with different woody species that produce commercial gums and resins, which support the Livelihoods of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. The objectives of this study were to: (i) assess the role of gum and resin production and marketing in the livelihoods of the pastoral and agro-pastoral communities; (ii) identify major challenges and constraints that hinder sustainable production; (iii) analyze the existing opportunities related to future gum and resin production and commercialization; and (iv) understand the perception of the local communities and the overall future prospects of sustainable gum and resin development, production and commercialization. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to a total of 80 households, randomly selected from two representative Districts (Arero and Yabello) in the Borana Zone. Group disscussions were also held with 12 key informants. Additional information was also collected from District and Zonal officials, local merchants and enterprises engaged in businesses involving gums and resins. The results revealed that the pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Borana Zone have intimate attachments with the woody species that provide gums and resins, and that collection and marketing of gums and resins are among the three major sources of livelihoods of local communities, along with livestock and crop production. The average annual household income generated from the sale of gums and resins was estimated at about 2,674 and 2,403 Ethiopian Birr (about 311.00 and 279.00 USD) at Arero and Yabello, respectively. Collection and sale of gums and resins represented the sole source of income for the disadvantaged groups in the local communities, i.e. women, school children and poor households with neither livestock nor land resources. The majority of respondents identified the income generated from the sale of gums and resins as a safety-net safeguarding the communities during recurrent drought periods. Gums and resins are also sources of food, chewing gum, traditional medicine, fodder, traditional soap, insect repellents, fragrance for smoking houses and other cultural practices. Several challenges and constraints are discussed, which affect the sustainable use of the vast woodlands for enhanced livelihoods and reduced household vulnerability in Borana.

Natural Regeneration and Management of Podocarpus falcatus (Thunb.) Mirb. in the Afromontane Forests of Ethiopia

Podocarpus falcatus is one of the two coniferous species naturally growing up to 45 m high and 250 cm in diameter in 11 out of the 14 floral regions recognized in Ethiopia. It is a multipurpose species with a wider range of socio-economic and environmental importance. The species provides high-class softwood considered superior to European deals. Suitably manufactured and conditioned, it produces wood suitable for many purposes. It is also useful for fuelwood, charcoal, poles, paper pulp, shade, and ornamental purposes. One of the most promising products from the trees is the oil extracted from its seeds, which is edible and used medicinally to treat gonorrhea. The trees also serve as parts of the habitat of various organisms. Despite its great importance, the species is on the verge of local extermination because of its unsustainable exploitation over the last several decades. Even after it has been banned from harvesting/cutting, its illegal exploitation continues unabated. Unfortunately, owing to a number of factors, there are neither large-scale plantations nor future planned plantation establishment programs of the species. This implies that urgent actions are required to address its unsustainable exploitation. The seed germination, seed and seedling banks, seedling survival and growth, regeneration along altitudinal, light, and moisture gradients as well as in some selected Afromontane forests and timber harvesting of the species are discussed. Human impact on the remaining populations of the species is described and recommendations to address the unsustainable exploitation are proposed.

Longevity of Juniperus procera seed lots under different storage conditions: implications for ex situ conservation in seed banks

Juniperus procera Endl. is economically important timber species, but its populations are extremely small and fragmented in its natural habitat, thus, calling for immediate ex situ conservation. Here we examined the effects of seed sources and storage temperature on the longevity of Juniperus procera seed lots through collection and preservation of seeds in seed banks. Seeds were collected from nine sites across the species natural distribution in Ethiopia and stored in four warehouses: modern cold room (5°C), mud house (15°C), concrete block house (17°C) or corrugated iron house (20°C) for 42 months. Every three months, a random sample of stored seeds were drawn and tested for germination. A highly significant variation (p < 0.01) in germination of stored seeds was observed among different storage environments, seed lots, and duration of storage. Over the storage period, seeds stored in the cold room had the highest mean percentage germination, followed by the mud house, corrugated house and blocket house. The cold room (41%) and the mud house (38%) maintained the same level of germination as the intitial germination of the seedlotds (42%). The variation in longevity of stored seeds was significnatly correlated with the initial germination of seed lots (r > 0.80; p < 0.01). Cold storage also resulted in enhancement of germination through its stratification effect that terminated the non-deep physiological dormancy of juniper seeds. In conclusion, seed lots with good initial germination can be effectively stored in cold room (5°C) up to four years. In the absence of modern cold stores, mud houses can be used as a good alternative to store seeds at local level.