Abstract:
In Ethiopia, land degradation triggered by deforestation has occurred for years. Government and
NGO‘s have tried to restore degraded lands in many parts of the country and including the area.
This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of degraded land restorations in improving
plant diversity, biomass and carbon stocks in Weforest. Non-destructive method was used with
two different allometric equations. Data for DBH, DSH and H was collected within fixed plot
size nested at 20m x 20m. Woody species regeneration counted and their local and scientific
names identified within sub plot fixed at 5m x 5m. Datas collected through questionnaires, FGD
and key informants for examining participation. Descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA were
used to analysis the data. The total carbon estimated to be 2.4 ton/ha before and 23.9 ton/ha after
restoration and species regeneration diversity and abundance improved by 7.7 and 7.57 times
after restoration respectively within 3.5 years of restoration period. There was a significant
difference before and after restoration in biomass, carbon stock, woody species regeneration
diversity and abundance with p value < .05. In degraded land restoration, community
participation played significant roles at different stages of the project and also affected by diverse
factors. Degraded land restoration is an essential approach for nature conservation and has to be
further researched per other carbon pools and its implication on community‘s livelihood.