Browsing by Author "Awas, Tesfaye (PhD)"

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    An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Seru Wereda, Arsi Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-10) Gebrehiwot, Mengistu; Nemomissa, Sileshi (Professor); Awas, Tesfaye (PhD)
    An ethnobotaniacal study of medicinal plants was carried out from October 20/2009 to April 15/2010 in Seru Wereda, Arsi Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The purpose of the study was to identify and document medicinal plant taxa. Ethnobotanical information of these plant taxa was gathered through a semi-structured interview, field observation, group discussion and market survey. Eighty informants from twelve Kebeles were subjected to this study. One hundred and twenty one medicinal plant taxa belonging to 109 genera and 58 families were reported and for each taxon a local name (Afaan Oromo) was documented. Plants, parts used and methods of preparation were also documented in the current study. Out of these medicinal plants collected, 62(51.24%) were reported to treat human aliments, 14 (11.57%) livestock ailments and 45 (37.19%) both human and livestock ailments. Ninety nine (81.82 %) of the plant taxa were collected from the wild and, 22 (18.18%) from home gardens. Herbs were found to be the most widely used life forms and this accounts for 53 (43.79%). This is followed by shrubs with 37.18% (45 taxa). The most frequently used plant parts were reported to be the leaves, which is 64 taxa (41.03 %) and then the roots 25.64% (40). The most widely used method of preparation was reported to be crushing and pounding a single plant part or a mixture of plant parts of different taxa. The different use categories of medicinal plant taxa in the area included food, firewood, charcoal, construction and forage. Major conservation threats included agricultural expansion, overgrazing, fire wood collection, charcoal production, cutting down trees for construction and furniture .There was no record that indicated the severe conservation impacts of overharvesting of medicinal plants and their parts in the current study area. Noteworthy is that both cultural and spiritual beliefs positively contributed to the management and conservation of medicinal plants of the study area. In addition to the aforementioned positive attitude of the local communities to the conservation of natural resources, supplementary environmental education with regard to sustainable uses of medicinal plants could be useful. Key Word: Arsi Zone, Conservation, Ethnobotany, Indigenous knowledge, Medicinal plants, Seru Wereda
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    Floristic Composition and Diversity Analysis of Vegetation of Awash Melka Kunture Prehistoric Archaeological Site, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2012) Fekadu, Mekbib; Kelbessa, Ensermu (Professor); Awas, Tesfaye (PhD)
    The study was conducted at Awash Melka Kunture Prehistoric Archaeological Site (AMKPAS), in Awash Melka District, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. This study presents the floristic composition, plant community, regeneration status of the area, and recommends further conservation methods. Sixty quadrats of 10 m x 10 m (100 m2) were laid along ten line transects for vegetation data collection. In addition, 1 m x 1 m subplots were laid within the main plot to sample herbaceous plants. A total of 139 plant species in 114 genera and 45 families were identified. Family Poaceae had 24 (14.27%) species followed by Fabaceae 23 (16.55%) species, Asteraceae 16 (11.51) species and Lamiaceae nine (6.47%) species. Out of the 139 plant species collected from the area six species and one subspecies are endemic to Ethiopia. Vegetation classification following R-2.11.1 software package resulted in five communities, namely, Ocimum lamiifolium - Rhus natalensis, Grewia ferruginea – Acacia abyssinica, Acacia seyal - Jasminum grandiflorum, Carissa spinarum - Acacia persiciflora and Acacia lahai - Euclea racemosa. Sorensen’s similarity among the communities revealed that communities 1 and 5 have the highest similarity (71%) followed by communities 1 and 4, and 4 and 5, both exhibited 69% similarity. From nine selected woody species, a total of 183.9 seedlings/ha, 154.79 saplings/ha and 54.38 mature individuals/ha were counted in the sample plots. The study revealed the occurrence of small sized individuals in the study site. Two population distribution patterns were revealed i.e. inverted J and bell -shaped. Moreover, there were more seedlings than saplings which could be attributed to factors that prevent the seedlings from reaching sapling stage. These factors may include expansion of farmlands, browsing by animals and prolonged dry period. On the other hand, some woody species lacked seedlings and saplings in the AMKPAS. Based on the current study clear demarcation and raising awareness among the surrounding community is deemed necessary. Key words/Phrases: Awash Melka Kunture, Community similarity, Floristic composition, Plant community, and Regeneration