Browsing by Author "Demissew Sebsebe (Professor)"

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Distribution, Reproductive Biology, Demography and Genetic Diversity of Endemic and Indigenouskniphofia Species in Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2001) Teklehaymanot Tilahun; Bekele Endashaw (Professor); Demissew Sebsebe (Professor)
    The study was conducted to work out the relation and conservation strategy of thc endcmic Klliphofia species by comparing their distribution, demography, reproductive biology, and genetic diversity. The KllipllOfia species studied include KlliphoJia foliosa, K. hildebralldtii, K. illsignis, K. isoetijolia, K. schill/peri and K. plllllila.The experiments performed were divided into field, greenhouse and laboratory. The field data were collected from nine experimental sites each with a size of 20 m X 20 m plot. The data collected from field and greenhouse include demography, reproductive and quantitative morphological phenotypic characters. The laboratory studies consist of karyotype, isoenzyme analysis and sequencing of tmL-tmF intergenic spacer of the chloroplast DNA. Theresults obtained from the distribution data showed that the KllipllOfia species are spread in waterlogged grassland to openings in the montane forest on the mountainous part of the country ranging from 2000 m.a.s.l. to 4000 m.a.s.l. KnipllOfia foliosa, K. isoetijolia, K. schill/peri are relatively widespread than K. insignis and K. hildebrandtii.The results from demography and reproductive biology have shown that Kniphofia species are clonal plants that reproduce asexually and sexually. The meristems from the rhizomes give rise to new ramets that later produce their own rhizome. The new rhizome remains attached with the mother rhizome (underground stem). K. foliosa and K. isoetijolia have runners that give rise to new ramets that have the potential to be physiologically independent clones. K. foliosa has the highest and K. hildebrandtii the smallest number of ramets in the experimental sites. The presently studied Kniphofia species have protandrous flowers and pollinated by Tecezze sunbirds (Nectarilla tacazze). The fruit to flower ratio ranges from 0.17 to 0.7. Klliphofia species have 2n =12 number of chromosomes and the karyotype is 1m + 3sm + 2sm. The homologous pair in each species has different total chromosome lengths except the short arms of chromosome V and VI (p< 0.05). The dendogram made based on the morphology of the mitotic chromosomes indicated close relationship among all except K. foliosa. The genetic diversity of the Klliphofia species as a whole is higher than what is described for endemic species. The total genetic diversity at the polymolphic loci ranges from 0.123 K. foliosa to 0.396 in K. sclzimperi. The genetic variation harboured among the species is only 6.6%. They have high genetic identity and very low genetic distance than congeneric species. Despite their closeness, K. illsigllis showed divergence on the cladogram made based on the genetic similarity values. The trnL (UAA)3'-trnF (GAA) intergenic spacer of chloroplast DNA of the Klliphofia species has very low diversification among the species. The variations realized from the alignment of the sequences were one length mutation (indel) and four substitutions (transversion). The phylogenetic study of the species needs molecular markers that can provide sufficient parsimony-informative characters. The results of the studies indicated that the two geographically restricted species (K. hildebralldt;; and K. illsigllis) might need due attention when compared to the rest of the endemic species due to the land use changes taking place at present. Other wise, none of the studied population in the studied Klliphofia species are endangered because of genetic erosion or inbreeding.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Ecological Study of the Vegetation and Land Use/ Land Cover Change Analysis in Dega Damot District, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Northwestern Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2020-06-02) Birhanu Liyew; Demissew Sebsebe (Professor); Bekele Tamrat (PhD); Tesfaw Binyam (PhD)
    The rising of deforestation and habitat fragmentation due to the conversion of forests to other land use/ land cover types and the increasing human population are major environmental concerns in the northwestern dry Afromontane forest of Ethiopia. Understanding floristic diversity along environmental factors is essential in the management of the forest patches. The objective of the study is to investigate the Ecology of the vegetation and to study Land use/ Land cover change in Dega Damot district forest patches of Northwestern Ethiopia. Vegetation and environmental data were collected from 86 plots (30 m × 30 m). A total of 46 plots were used for the collection of the soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation. Soil samples were collected for the soil bank study from within the small plots measuring 10 cm × 10 cm from four soil layers. Shannon Weiner index and evenness were used to assess the species diversity and richness of the forest. The similarities between forest patches and between plant communities of the study area were computed using Sorenson’s similarity index. Density, Diameter at Breast Height ( DBH), basal area, frequency, and importance value indices (IVI) of woody species were computed to characterize the vegetation structure of the forest. Hierarchical cluster analysis and redundancy analysis (RDA) were used to identify plant communities and analyze the relationship between plant community types and environmental variables. This study used Landsat TM, Landsat ETM + and OLI data from 1986, 2003 and 2017 to map land use/land cover (LU/LC) in a study area. LU/LC maps were created using supervised classification, and LU/LC change the mapping for the 1986-2003 and the 2003-2017 period determined using post-classification comparisons. Results indicate the presence of 176 plant species belonging to 80 families. Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the dominant families, and herbs and shrubs were predominant growth forms. The Shannon diversity index and evenness values of the study area were 2.79 and 0.95 respectively. The total basal area and density of woody species were 51 m2 ha-1 and 2679 individual-1, respectively. The most dominant species as indicated by their important value index (lVI) were prunes africana(17), Schefflera abyssinica (15) and Ficus sur (14). Five plant community types were identified: Erica arborea - Osyris quadripartita, Discopodium penninervium - Echinops pappii, Olea europaeasubsp.cuspidata-Scolopia theifolia, Euphorbia abyssinica-Prunus africana, Dodonaea anguistifolia-Acokanthera schimperi. The RDA result showed that the variation of species distribution and plant community formation were significantly related to altitude, organic matter, moisture content, slope, pH, EC, clay and phosphorus. A total of 2133 seedlings belonging to 44 species and 27 families were identified from the soil seed bank, with a viable seed density of 4636 seeds/m2. The species composition of the seed bank was dominated by 29 herb species (66%) compared to 2 tree species which accounted for only 5 percent of the total number of species. The similarity between soil seed bank species composition and aboveground vegetation was low and conclude that the regeneration potential of the forest from seed bank was limited. The results of the study showed that agricultural land increased from 85% of the total area in 1986 to 93% in 2017. This increase coincided with a 4% decrease in a forested area, a 2% decrease in grazing land and a 2% decrease in shrubland. LU/LC was changed significantly due to rapid human populations and expanding agricultural activities in the study area. Therefore, this study provides baseline information for the conservation of forest in the study area.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Ecological, Floristic and Ethnobotanical Studies in and Around Wejig-Mahgo-Waren Massif Forest Patches in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2019-05-02) Hishe Mebrahtu; Asfaw Zemede (Professor); Demissew Sebsebe (Professor); Giday Mirutse (PhD); Warkineh Bikila (PhD)
    There is a declining trend of biodiversity in general and plant diversity in particular. This trend is leading to the loss of the associated indigenous and local botanical knowledge in Ethiopia, which is more severe in the northern highlands than elsewhere in the country. The purpose of this research was to study vegetation composition, soil seed bank and to document associated ethnobotanical and management practices applied by the forest fringe communities in and around Wejig-Mahgo-Waren Massif Forest area. Vegetation data were collected from a sample of 150 quadrats (each 20 m x 20 m) placed in ten transect lines, which were systematically laid. All vascular plant species were recorded. Diameter at breast height was measured and seedlings and saplings were counted and recorded. Height and percentage cover abundance were estimated. Soil samples were collected from 75 quadrats down to 0-5 cm and 5 -10 cm depth. Stratified random sampling of 309 informants was performed for collection of data on indigenous knowledge, of social classes associated with the forest and the resources in it. Thirty key informants were purposively selected with the help of local administrators, elders and other community members for collection of ranking exercises. For collection of ethnobotanical data, semistructured interview, guided field walks and focus group discussions were applied. Basal area, density, frequency, importance value index, Shannon-wiener diversity index, cluster analysis and ordination were computed on ecological data. Density, composition, depth distribution and Sorensen coefficient of similarity were computed for soil seed bank analysis. Ethnobotanical analytical tools, including preference ranking, informant consensus factor, fidelity level, direct matrix ranking and cultural significance index were employed to describe the reciprocal relationship between the forest vegetation and forest fringe communities. Vegetation study revealed a total of 264 plant species belonging to 162 genera and 82 families. Woody (45.45%) species were higher than herbs (42.04%). Asteraceae (27 species, 32.93%), Poaceae (24 species, 29.27%) and Fabaceae (23 species, 20.05%) were the dominant families in terms of number of species. Five plant communities were identified in the forest vegetation, namely Cadia purpurea – Carissa spinarum, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata – Juniperus procera, Dodonaea angustifolia – Acacia abyssinica, Erica arborea – Myrsine africana and Acacia etbaica – Acacia tortilis. The highest (3.87) and the least (3.21) Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were found in communities two and five, respectively. Altitude, slope, livestock grazing and human impacts were the factors influencing species distribution. From soil samples, the total number of species recorded was 54, representing 42 genera and 23 families. The number of viable seeds in the soil samples corresponded to a seed bank density down to 10 cm was 1115 m-2. Herbs (85.16%) and woody species (14.84%) were the plants counted from the germination assay. Soil Seed bank and standing vegetation shared 36 species and their similarity was 23 %. The informants viewed the forest as an important entity for attraction of rain and for wildlife habitation followed by beekeeping and foraging as well as for sourcing straw and fuelwood. Of 79 plant species differentiated as useful to the community, 52 (66%) were used in traditional medicine (human and livestock), 28 (35%) as livestock fodder/ forage and 27 (34%) were recognized as honeybee forage. The highest informant consensus factor values were calculated for dermatological ailments (0.98,) followed by external injuries, bleeding and snakebites (0.92). The highest fidelity level (96.15%) was recorded for Verbascum sinaiticum followed by Withania somnifera (89.47%). Deforestation, agricultural expansion, fuelwood collection, grazing and settlement in decreasing order were considered responsible for forest resources depletion. Both the associated indigenous knowledge and the forest resources were under pressure. Thus, to restore the forest in the shortest possible time, restoration strategy that combines planting of seedlings of indigenous species and natural restoration techniques need to be applied.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Ethnobotanical Study of Traditional Medicinal Plants of Goma Wereda, Jima Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Etana Behailu; Demissew Sebsebe (Professor); Asfaw Zemede (PhD)
    An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted to document the indigenous plant-based medical knowledge of the people of Goma Wereda in southwestern Ethiopia from September, 2009 to May, 2010. A total of 100 informants (73 males and 27 females) between the ages of 20 and 80 were selected to collect information on medicinal plant use from ten sampled kebeles. Out of these, 24 key informants (22 males and 2 females) were purposively selected based on recommendation from elders and local authorities. Other informants were selected randomly. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, field observations and group discussions. Informant consensus, preference ranking, paired comparison, direct matrix ranking, informant consensus factor (ICF) and Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity were calculated. A total of 160 plant species: 101 species from wild vegetation and 59 species from home gardens distributed in 124 genera and 58 families were collected and identified. Of these, 121 medicinal plant species were used as cure for 102 ailments. From these, 92 species were recorded for the treatment of human health problems, 12 species for livestock and 17 species for the treatment of both human and livestock. From the total medicinal plants species 54 species of the medicinal plants were herbs, followed by 30 species of shrubs, 26 species of trees and 11 species of climbers. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (61.66%) followed by roots (13.33%). The most widely used method of preparation was crushing (26.80%) of the different plant parts followed by squeezing (22.68 %) and burning (7.21%). The common route of administration recorded was oral (52.01%) followed by dermal (28.52%) and nasal (8.3 %). The most commonly used application of medicinal plant was drinking (43.37%) followed by painting (10.84%) and put on and washing accounted for 10.84% each. The medicinal plants that are presumed to be effective in treating certain diseases such as Ocimum lamiifolium and Croton macrostachyus have high informant consensus. The disease categories such as rheumatism and stabbing pain as well as the categories of evil eye and evil spirit have higher ICF value of 0.907. Preference ranking showed that people of the area have preference for Acmella caulirhiza for the treatment of tonsillitis. Paired comparison of five species of plants that are used for the same disease showed that Indigofera spicata is the most preferred species by traditional healers for the treatment of insect allergy (‘Hadha’). Direct matrix ranking showed Cordia africana as the most utilized species by the community. Agricultural expansion, firewood collection, timber production and construction are major threats to plants in general and medicinal plants in particular in the study area. The participation of the local people, awareness raising through training or education on sustainable utilization and management of plant resources, establishment of forest protected areas should be encouraged. Key words: Ethiopia, Ethnobotany, Goma. homegardens, informant consensus factor
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    An Ethnobotanical Study of Traditional Use of Medicinal Plants And Their Conservation Status in Mecha Wereda, West Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2011-06) Gebeyehu Getaneh; Asfaw Zemede (PhD); Demissew Sebsebe (Professor)
    An ethnobotanical study on the medicinal plants was conducted in Mecha Wereda which is found in West Gojjam Zone of Amhara National Regional State. It is located about 535 km northwest of Addis Ababa. The objective of the study was to conduct an ethnobotanical investigation in order to compile and document the use and conservation status of traditional medicinal plants in the area. The study was carried out from November 23, 2010 to May 1, 2011 to obtain valuable information from 16 selected kebeles of the study area. In each sample kebele five informants that made up of a total of 80 informants were selected and interviewed. Key informants were selected by purposive random sampling whereas the other informants were selected randomly from the local people of the study area. The ethnobotanical data were gathered through interviewing local communities including local ‘Merigeta’, ‘Debtera’ religious leaders, ‘Balezar’, students and kebele administrators. Primary data were collected using guided field walk, group discussion, semi-structured interview and participatory observation in the field. The inhabitants of the study area used medicinal plants not only for medicinal purpose but also food, shelter, forage, construction and other cultural uses. In the study, a total of 107 medicinal plants belonging to 96 genera and 52 families were recorded and used to treat both human and livestock ailments. The largest diversity of species recorded belonged to four families including the Asteraceae (11.2%), Solanaceae (7.47%), Lamiaceae and Fabaceae (4.67%). Shrubby habits were the major growth form (41.1%) while herbaceous, tree and climbing habits accounted for 36.5%, 15.9% and 6.5% respectively. The study showed that the most frequently used plant parts for the preparation of traditional medicine were leaves (29.8%) followed by roots (22.4%) and fruits (11.2%). These medicinal plant parts were processed in various ways of which the major ones included squeezing (24.9%), powdering (16.6%) and crushing and soaking (infusion) (14.5%). The most common route of administration was oral (55.4%) followed by dermal (26.9%). The status of traditional medicinal plants encountered rarely (12.1%), occasionally (38.4%) and common (49.5%). Among these, 6 (5.7%) of medicinal plant species out of 16 species collected in the homegardens were wild cultivated primarily for the purpose of medicinal uses. The main threats to medicinal plants in the study area were agricultural expansion, firewood, construction, grazing and drought. Therefore, it is recommended that cultivation of medicinal plants should be motivated in homegardens. Keywords: conservation, ethnobotany, IK, Mecha Wereda, medicinal plants
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Floristic Description and Ethno botanical Study of the Natural Vegetation in the Babile Elephant Sanctuary Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2006-06) Belayneh Anteneh; Bekele Tamrat (PhD); Demissew Sebsebe (Professor)
    A floristic description and ethnobotanical study of the < naturahvegetation . was carried out . between September 5, 2005 and June, 2006 in the Babile Elephant Sanctuary ( BES), which was established in 1970, in the semi-arid region of Ethiopia. Stratified sampling design was used and 75 quadrats each 400 m2 were analyzed. A total of 237 plant species in 155 genera and 57 families were identified. Fabaceae was represented by the highest number of species (36 species = 15.1%), followed by Poaceae (19 species = 8.0%) and Asteraceae (15 species = 6.3%). Using TWINSPAN program six community types were identified. These are: I. Tamarhuhts indicci II. Acacia robusta III. Acacia seyal -Balanites aegyptiaca IV. Acacia senegal-Acalypha fruticosa V. Terminalia brownii-Boswellia neglecta and VI. Acacia bussie-Grewia tenax community types. The Biodiversity professional version 2.0 soft ware result shows the six communities differ in species diversity where the smallest was 2.1 and the highest was 3.44. The total diversity and evenness of the study area were 3.55 and 0.72 respectively. SPSS program was used to analyze the density of woody species. About 67 woody species (22 tree, 36 shrubs -*v and 9 climber species) were identified having a total basal area of 17.8 m /ha. The mean density of these woody species was 385 ± 114.2 (S.E.) individuals ha'1 where the mean density of trees was 32 ± 9.96, shrubs 619 ± 203.3 and climbers 315 ± 103.4 individuals ha'1. Ethnobotanical information was collected from 40 informants where 15 are key informants selected by systematic sampling method. Semi-structured interview was administered both in Oromoo language and Somali language and guided field walk was conducted to gather ethnobotanical information. The local community make use of 32 species as food plants, 43 for human medicinal plants, 59 for forage, 20 veterinary medicine, 28 for construction and craft, 18 for fuel (firewood and charcoal), 8 for spice and condiments, 8 as cash crops (where plant products have market value) and 38 species for other uses. Preference ranking result show Opuntia Jicus-indica, Tamarindus indica and Balanites aegyptiaca ranked 1 up to 3 as a food plants and the direct matrix ranking result show Tamarindus indica, Berchemia discolor and Balanites aegyptiaca ranked 1 up to 3 as a multipurpose tree species. Anthropogenic impact was assessed and arbitrary number was assigned 1 up to 5 from the lowest to the highest threat. Then agriculture scored 5, human settlement and overgrazing 4, charcoal making and tree cutting 3, invasive species 2, and honey collection 1. Invasive species like Lantana camara and Parthenium hystrophorus are the other threat where L. camara was recorded in 43 quadrats having the density 2794.6 individuals ha'1. In general , as part of the country ’s remaining vegetation cover and as part of the habitat of the only living representative individuals of the elephant ( Loxodonta Africana Orleansi ) as well as a variety of other animals and as to the benefit of the local community, the BES should be afforded the highest protection possible as a matter of urgency before it is too late.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Homegardens and Spices of Basketo and Kafa (Southwest Ethiopia): Plant Diversity, Product Valorization and Implications to Biodiversity Conservation
    (Addis Ababa University, 2011-02) Woldeyes Feleke; Asfaw Zemede (PhD); Demissew Sebsebe (Professor); Roussel Bernard (PhD)
    Traditional agricultural landscapes support an important level of biological and cultural diversity. Significant components of such landscapes are homegardens which represent sustainable farming systems. In this study, homegardens of Basketo Special Woreda and Kafa Zone in the South Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS) of Ethiopia, with a special emphasis on spice-yielding plants, have been investigated. The study aimed at understanding local peoples’ role in maintenance of biological resources and also the impact of ongoing homegarden related changes on the conservation of biological diversity. In the study, local resource perception, classification, management, and use norms were assessed; plant biological diversity at different levels of the landscape was measured; and also trends in the commercialization of local spices were analyzed. Qualitative data were collected through interviews, group discussions, garden tour, guided field walks and observation methods. Some of the data collected through interviews were analyzed using preference ranking and paired comparison. Measurements on quantitative traits of kororima (Aframomum corrorima) were made; biological diversity at garden section, whole garden and landscape levels were evaluated using different diversity measurement indices. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine chemical compositions of kororima seeds and kororima growing soils, and also seed germination potential. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), independent sample T-test, and Pearson correlation. Computer programs SPSS, PAST and R were used for data analysis. A total of 280 species were recorded from the managed landscapes of the two areas. Infraspecific diversity was recorded in a number of crop plants with enset (Ensete ventricosum) exhibiting the maximum number of local varieties/clones (26 in Basketo and 70 in Kafa). Existence of local worldview related resource use norm, elaborate and adaptive resource management, and well developed classification systems which take different forms are also observed. The homegardens of Basketo and Kafa, beyond their role as the main source of household subsistence, serve as central element around which other components of thelandscape are organized. Biodiversity is cultivated in these farming units as a result of the framers’ innate perception of the values of biodiversity and also the characteristic organization of the gardens that promoted concentration of plant diversity. Spice-yielding plants, whose products are of major importance for household consumption and commercial exchange, constitute vital components of the gardens. Twenty four species of spice-yielding plants are encountered in each of the study areas and these account for 16.11% and 12.44% of total species composition of Basketo and Kafa gardens respectively. Although local spices are used for both household consumption and income generation, correlation analysis indicated that spice-yielding plants are raised in the garden primarily for household use. However, as the current trend shows, spices are increasingly becoming market-oriented with kororima (Aframomum corrorima) being the most-commercialized of all the spices produced in the two areas. Kororima, an indigenous spice which has been traded for long, is of major importance in terms of socio-economic and ecological perspectives. Currently, homegardens are undergoing an unusual dynamics because of agricultural development intervention activities and also market driven factors. Some crops like coffee (Coffea arabica) which bring better economic return are expanding at the expense of enset that forms the basic element of the garden and other indigenous crops. Drastic alteration of these crop production units could lead to unwanted impacts including disruption of local livelihoods and serious deterioration of biological diversity. Valorization of spices and other products originating from the homegardens, by securing better financial benefits to farmers, can aid in slowing down the rate of change thereby contributing to the maintenance of the agro-ecosystems and the interlinked components of the local environment. Keywords: homegardens, spices-yielding plants, kororima, valorization, biodiversity, emic categorization, Basketo, Kafa
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Plant Diversity and Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants With theAntimicrobial Investigation of Selected Plants in Menz Gera District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2020-10-10) Fisaha Gebremicael; Asfaw Zemede (Professor); Demissew Sebsebe (Professor); Lulekal Ermias (Professor)
    This dissertation is the result of a study made on the plant diversity and ethnobotany of medicinal plants in Menz Gera District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Data on vegetation and the ethnobotany of medicinal plants were collected during multiple field visits made at different seasons between 2016 and 2018. Vegetation data were collected in Yegana and Gajilo forest patches using a systematic random sampling design. Seventy-two quadrats, at 50m altitudinal drop from 14 transects (7 transects for each forest patch) set at 500 m interval, measuring 20mx20m for mature trees and 10mx10m, 5mx5m and 2mx2m sub quadrats for saplings, seedlings/shrubs and herbs respectively, were laid down. Ethnobotanical information on traditional medicinal plants was gathered through semi-structured interviews involving 390 informants representing different social groups, through group discussions, field observation, guided field walks and market survey in 13 Kebeles (sub-districts) of the District. Antimicrobial activity testing was conducted on eight medicinal plant species with high informant consensus values and no record of previous such tests. A total of 284 species in 213 genera and 89 families were recorded from both ecological and ethnobotanical studies. Asteraceae and Poaceae were the families with the highest number of species (14.44% each) followed by Fabaceae (6.69%). Twenty-five (8.8%) endemic species to Ethiopia were encountered. A total of 212 plant species representing 154 genera and 72 families were identified from the natural forest patches whereas 72 species belonging to 59 genera and 17 families were collected outside of the natural forest patches through ethnobotanical inventory. Three plant communities (Juniperus procera - Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Hagenia abyssinica - Ekebergia capensis and Podocarpus falcatus - Galiniera saxifraga) were identified. Structural and regeneration status analysis of tree species revealed different population structures indicating that there are species that require urgent conservation measures. A total of 156 plant species that belong to 136 genera and 67 families were identified to have values for treating 87 humans and 16 livestock ailments in traditional medicine. Asteraceae had the highest number of traditional medicinal plants (9.62%), followed by Lamiaceae (6.41%) and Solanaceae (5.77%). The most frequently used plant parts for the preparation of remedies were leaves and roots, which accounted for 32.05% and 30.77% respectively. The oral route of administration (46%) was commonly used for both human and livestock disease treatment. Out of the traditional medicine, 21(13.5%) were found to be traded at local markets and were sold and bought for different purposes. Gastrointestinal disease category scored highest ICF (0.78) and abdominal pain; Diarrhea and Gastritis were the most reported human health problems under this disease category. Parents were the major (85%) sources of indigenous knowledge on herbal medicine in the area. A broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity of extracts was shown in the cases of Inula confertiflora (leaf), Laggera tomentosa (root) and Satureja abyssinica (leaf). Ever-increasing population, which demands more land for livelihood with the usual unsustainable collection of traditional medicinal plants from natural stands are the main threats to the plants of the study area. Plantation of indigenous trees to increase their abundance, providing alternative sources of livelihood to minimize deforestation, establishment of a research center for threatened medicinal plants and indigenous trees and further study on selected traditional medicinal plants for drug development are some of the actions required in the short time range.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Plant Diversity, Ethnobotany and Barcoding of Medicinal and Cosmetic Plants in Kalu and Bati Districts of Amhara Region, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2020-06-06) Abdurhman Nurya; Asfaw Zemede (Professor); Demissew Sebsebe (Professor); Deboer Hugo (Professor)
    The study was conducted in Kalu and Bati Districts, South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. It was aimed at documenting plant diversity in selected forest patches, ethnobotany and barcoding of medicinal and cosmetic plants. Vegetation data were collected from 50 and 30 sampling plots (20 m × 20 m) for Anabe and Gerfa-ourene forest patches respectively using transect method. For shrubs and herbs 5 m x 5 m and 1 m x 1 m subplots were laid within each quadrat respectively. Ethnobotanical data were collected by administering semi-structured interviews with randomly sampled 300 informants, through direct field observation, 20 focus group discussion and in eight local markets. For DNA barcoding sequences, samples were collected both in voucher form and by silica gel and analyzed at the laboratory of Natural History Museum, University Of Oslo, Norway. Agglomerative hierarchical classification with the application of R-computer programing (R Version 3.0.2) was used to identify plant communities. Simple preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) were calculated to analyze the ethnobotanical data. Genomic DNA was extracted from silica-gel-dried leaves, voucher specimens and powdered medicinal plant samples to generate barcodes for ITS, rbcL and matK using specific primers and PCR amplification. All barcode sequences were queried using NCBI BLAST to cross-check morphological identifications. From Anabe and Gerfa-ourene forest patches a total of 128 plant species which belong to 114 genera and 60 families were recorded. From the total, 108 of the plant species representing 97 genera and 52 families were collected from Anabe Forest patch whereas 84 plant species representing 75 genera and 46 families were from Gerfa-ourene Forest patch. From the hierarchical cluster analysis, the vegetation in Anabe and Gerfa-ourene Forest patches were classified in to three plant community types each. The ethnobotanical study in Kalu District revealed 129 medicinal plant species that belong to 108 genera and 59 families. In Bati District, however, 94 traditional medicinal plant species belonging to 78 genera and 49 families were reported. The majority of human remedy preparations were from leaves (43% in Kalu and 29% in Bati) followed by roots (11% in kalu and 17% in Bati) and the highest ICF values were recorded for back pain in humans in both districts (0.94 in Kalu, 0.96 in Bati). The highest FL values of human medicinal plants were recorded for Withania somnifera (93.5%) in Kalu District, and Terminalia brownii (95.96%) in Bati District. About 30.34% of the medicinal plants in both districts were cited for women’s health problems and for herbal cosmetics.The amplified products were used for sequencing and 154 samples were sequenced for three barcode regions (ITS, rbcL and matK). BLAST was used to compare sample sequences to the reference database and sequencing success was high for rbcL (97.4%) and ITS (96.1%), but lower for matK (76.0%). Anabe and Gerfa-ourene Forest patches are rich in species composition having 128 plant species which belong to 114 genera and 60 families. Both districts are rich in their medicinal plant composition having 145 medicinal plant species that belong to 116 genera and 62 families. Kalu and Bati Districts are rich in “women’s plants” and herbs used as cosmetics (44 species, which belong to 39 genera and 31 families). DNA barcoding method was attempted for identifying 154 medicinal and cosmetics plant materials including from markets with high percentage of success.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Taxonomic and Demographic Studies on Three Species Complexes Within the Genus Alole L. (Aloaceae)in Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2006-06) Dessalegn Fikre; Demissew Sebsebe (Professor); Brysting Anne (Professor)
    Taxonomic and demographic studies were conducted on three species complexes within the genus Aloe L. (Aloaceae) in Ethiopia. The studies aimed to contribute new additional knowledge necessary to delineate the Aloe species and their conservation in the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea (FEE).In the taxonomic study, the status of 11 species was evaluated using morphological and molecular (AFLP) data. Morphological data were collected from herbarium specimens, fresh materials and literature. Data matrices were constructed for qualitative, quantitative and combined morphological data sets. Molecular (AFLP) data were obtained from leaves of randomly selected germinated seedlings. Total genomic DNA was extracted using a modified 2 x CTAB method described by Doyle and Doyle (1990). AFLP analysis was performed following a protocol modified from Vos et al. (1995). Fragments produced by each primer combination were analyzed and scored for the presence (1) or absence (0) of selected markers/fragments. Binary data matrices were constructed for each of the primer combinations and also for the combined data set. Each of the data matrices constructed for morphological and molecular (AFLP) data sets was subjected to multivariate analyses: cluster analysis (UPGMA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCO).The results from the analyses of both morphological and AFLP data supported the present status of nine out of the eleven species: A. harlana Reynolds, A. monticola Reynolds, A. debrana Christian, A. percrassa Tod., A. yavellana Reynolds, A. megalacantha Baker, A. gilbertii Sebsebe & Brandham, A. calidophila Reynolds and A. sinana Reynolds. The boundary between the two caulescent species from the northern part of the FEE area: A. camperi Schweinf. and A. adigratana Reynolds was not veryclear and particularly the genetic delimitation displayed close relationship. The neighborjoining tree constructed from combined AFLP data revealed thus weak support for A. camperi (51%) and A. adigratana (62%) but kept them together with high bootstrap support (94%).
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Use and Conservation of Traditional Medicinal Plants by Indigenous People in Gimbi Woreda, Western Wellega, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2007-03) Tolasa Etana; Demissew Sebsebe (Professor); Asfaw Zemede (PhD)
    The purpose of the study is to document and analyze information on the use, conservation and threat of medicinal plants in Gimbi Woreda, west Wellega Zone. Data collection was accomplished through active participation of healers and knowledgeable elders who practice traditional medicine locally. Various ethnobotanical techniques were used to collect the data: semi-structured interview, field observation, group discussion, market survey, preference ranking and paired comparison, use diversity matrix and priority ranking. A total of 211 plant species (168 from the wild, 52 from home gardens, and 9 species occurring in both the wild and home gardens) distributed in 181 genera and 96 families were collected from the study area and identified. From these, 187 plant species were found in all 24 quadrats (12 for wild vegetations and 12 for home gardens) while 33 were out side the quadrats. Of the 211 species, a total of 85 medicinal plants were reported as being used for the treatment of 68 different ailments (49 for humans and 19 for livestock) in the study area. The majority of the medicinal plants, 62 (72.94%) were collected from the wild and 23 (27.06%) from home gardens. The major life forms of the medicinal plants were shrubs followed by herbs with a proportion of 40% and 27.1%, respectively. The highest informant consensus was documented to the plants Plantago lanceolata and Warburgia ugandensis each scoring, 78%. The most frequently harvested plant parts were leaves and roots with a proportion of 48.2% and 28.2%, respectively, followed by stems, 8.74% and bark, 7.5%. Most of the remedies were prepared from single plants with highest proportion of crushing, pounding and mixing in water, 27.13%. The widely used method of application was found to be internal scoring 61.94% in which oral application is the main route of administration, 85.55%. In the Woreda the trend of medicinal plant trade is low and the sources for the majority of the marketed medicinal plants were from other Zones (Jima, Hararge) and Regional States (Benishangul, Addis Ababa and Amhara). Some cultural believes and traditional practices associated with traditional medicines were found to contribute much to the conservation of medicinal plants in the area. Key words / phrase: - Medicinal plants, local people, ethnobotany, infusion, concoction,
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Vascular Plant Species Diversity and Ethnobotany in Yilmana Densa and Quarit Districts of West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2019-09-09) Alemneh Derebe; Asfaw Zemede (Professor); Demissew Sebsebe (Professor)
    A study of vascular plant species diversity and ethnobotany was conducted in Yilmana Densa and Quarit districts of West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The purpose of the study was to record, document and analyze vascular plant species and to describe their diversity and interaction with the local people. Five patches of forests were taken and a total of 104 quadrats each measuring 20 m × 20 m were laid down at every 50 m intervals along five transect lines. For herbaceous species a 2 m x 2 m subquadrat were laid down. For ethnobotanical study, a total of 395 (267 males and 128 females) informants were selected from 19 sampled rural Kebeles of two districts (7 from Quarit and 12 from Yilmana Densa).These Kebeles and key informants were selected purposively. The data collection tools were semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, observation and market surveys. Two types of data analysis methods were conducted. The first was vegetation data analysis including community analysis, structural analysis, computing important indices and analysis of plant similarity, regeneration and species-area relationship. The second analysis method was ethnobotanical analysis and it included informant consensus, fidelity level, frequency index, cultural significance index, use diversity, direct matrix and preference ranking, descriptive and inferential statistics analyses. Vegetation data were analyzed via hierarchical cluster analysis using R version 3.5.1 software. SPSS version 20 and Microsoft excel spread sheet 2007 were used for the analysis of descriptive and inferential statistics. Following the analysis, 300 species were recorded and reported from the districts. Twenty four species were endemic while 10 species were exotic. Most of the species (249 species) were reserved in the five forest patches. The species of the patches were included in 81 families. Out of which, Asteraceae was represented with highest species (35 species) followed by Fabaceae (29 species). Majority of the species were herbs. Four community types namely Croton macrostachyus - Maytenus gracilipes community, Calpurnia aurea - Osyris quadripartita - Rosa abyssinica - Pterolobium stellatum community, Maesa lanceolata - Dodonea angustifolia - Otostegia integrifolia community and Acacia negrii-Rhus glutinosa- Clutia lanceolata community were identified. Community 1 and 4 had highest number of endemic, medicinal and wild edible species. The total individuals of woody species (DBH > 2.5 cm) were 15087. Dodonea angustifolia was recorded with highest individuals (5682). The total density was also about 3627 ha-1 whereas the total basal area was 29.8 m2 ha-1. Some representative woody species were recorded with 3 distribution patterns namely Inverted ‘J’ shaped, ‘Bell’ shaped and Upward ‘F’. Though most woody species were recorded with low frequencies, Croton macrostachyus was the most frequent species. The total plant diversity (H') of the two districts was 3.765. A total of 491.4 seedlings ha-1, 735.95ha-1 saplings and 2044.3ha-1 mature individuals were recorded from the patches. There was a significant mean percentage difference among these groups (P<0.05). Most species of the patches were reported to be used for environment protection and medicinal purposes. The majority of medicinal plant species of the two districts were claimed for the treatment of human diseases. Fabaceae was the first family in species number among the recorded human medicinal plant families. Sixty one disease types were reported to be treated by medicinal plants. Blood pressure and asthma were the most commonly reported human diseases. Leaves were the primary sources of remedy for diseases. Most remedy was prepared by boiling and it was administered orally. Miscellaneous, central nervous system and digestive system diseases were recorded with highest informant agreements. Dodonea angustifolia, Dovyalis abyssinica, Hagenia abyssinica, Nigella sativa and Urtica simensis were also recorded with highest healing potential for malaria, tapeworm, cough, stomach ulcer respectively. Phytolacca dodecandra had highest frequency value while Verbascum sinaiticum was the most preferred species for treatment of blood pressure. Trigonella foenum-graecum was recorded with highest use value while Carissa spinarum and Croton macrostachyus were also recorded with highest cultural values. There was a significant traditional medicinal plant knowledge difference (p<0.05) among informant groups. A total of 30 ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species were also reported to be used to treat 15 reported veterinary diseases. The plant species were under 30 genera and 22 families while most ethnoveterinary diseases belong to dermatological disease category. Leaves were the primary source of remedy and most of it was prepared from freshly harvest parts. Digestive tract diseases were treated by majority of these species. Stephania abyssinica and Cucumis ficifolius showed highest fidelity level value for gastro-intestinal disease category and high healing potential under the respiratory disease category respectively. Phytolacca dodecandra was the most preferred one for the treatment of abdominal bloating. A total of 32 wild edible plant species were also reported in the districts and fruits were the primary source of wild food. The majority of the species were herbs whereas Ficus sur and Mimusops kummel were the most preferred and marketable species. Generally, the two districts with almost similar agroclimatic zones were the sources of vast number of medicinal, wild edible and other useful plant species even if the majority were under several threats. Thus, there should be well designed and immediate conservation activities by giving priority for multipurpose wild, medicinal and other useful plants of the forest patches.