A Study on the Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants and Floristic Composition of the Dry Afromontane Forest at Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
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Date
2005-07
Authors
Yineger Haile
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Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
An ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants of Bale Mountains National Park and adjacent
areas in Sinana Dinsho, Goba and Adaba Districts, and floristic composition of the Dry
Afromontane Forest in the park was conducted during 30/07/03 – 12/08/03, September 2003,
November 2003, January 2004 and June 2004. A total of 176 medicinal plants were documented
from the ethnomedicinal investigation. These species are distributed among 141 genera and 71
families. About 57.95%, 11.36% and 30.68% of these plants are used to treat only human, only
livestock and both human and livestock ailments respectively. A total of 74 human and 25
livestock ailments were reported. Hepatitis B from human, and blackleg, Darissaa & hepatitis
(Dhukuba Alati) from livestock ailments were the most frequently reported ailments. The most
utilized growth forms are herbs (91 species, 51.7%) followed by shrubs (64 species, 36.36%).
Leaves (40.88%) followed by roots (34.71%) are the most frequently used plant parts for
traditional medicine. Usually, fresh materials are preferred for medicine preparations that are
processed mostly by crushing, concoction and decoction. Drinking the prepared medicines is the
most frequently applied method of drug application. The most recurrently used route of drug
administration is oral and this is followed by dermal. The most common local uses of these plants
other than their medicinal values include forage (27.88%), fencing (19.23%), firewood (17.31%)
and construction (15.87%). Nearly half (44.19%) of the informants consulted are aware to
conserve rare plants in their surroundings. Significant numbers of beliefs useful for the
conservation of medicinal plants were detected but they are being neglected by the youth
generation. The major threats to medicinal plants in the study area are agricultural expansion &
intensification and deforestation for various purposes. Indigenous knowledge is mostly
transferred to an elect of a family member in word of mouths. This is thus prone to fragmentation
and /or loss. Therefore, integration of indigenous studies in school curricula and in situ and ex
situ conservation of locally scarce medicinal plants is mandatory.
For the floristic composition study, a total of 90 plots were established at three sites (Adelle,
Boditi and Gaysay) in an altitudinal range of 3008 – 3408 m. The cover abundance values,
density, and diameter at breast height and list of species were then generated from each plot.
About 230 species belonging to 157 genera and 58 families were identified and documented from
this investigation alone. Analysis of vegetation data revealed 5 homogenous clusters. The density
of trees in the diameter class >2 cm is 766 and 458 individuals /ha respectively at Adelle and
Boditi forests. The basal area of Adelle forest is 26.39m2 /ha whereas it is 23.34 m2 /ha for Boditi
forest. About 43.34% of the basal area at Adelle and 56.65% at Boditi forests are contributed by
Juniperus procera and Hagenia abyssinica respectively. Both Adelle & Boditi are found at an
earlier secondary stage of development and have more or less a similar trend of development.
The population structures of tree species were assessed and these have clearly signaled the
occurrence of excessive cutting of selected size classes of ecologically, economically and
medically important tree species for various purposes particularly for construction purpose.
These have also enabled to evaluate the reproduction and /or regeneration status of useful tree species.
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Biology