Woody Plant Diversity and Local Uses in Borena District, South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2020-06-17
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study tried to explore the status of woody plant diversity, uses, threats and conservation in Borena District, South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region. The main objective of the study was to identify, analyze and document woody plant diversity and their uses, value, threat and conservation status. Data were collected from December 2019 up to March 2020. Interviews were a total of 150 informants and ran free listing, preference ranking and direct matrix ranking exercises to measure diversity, value, threat and conservation of woody plants. Informants were selected from 5 study kebeles and 2-4 key informants were purposively selected per study kebele. Fifty-seven woody plant species that belong to 51 genera and 34 families listed by informants using local names were given corresponding scientific names. Plant community types were classified by visual observation with informants in to four, namely Eucalyptus globulus-dominated, Juniperus procera-dominated, Acacia abyssinca-dominated and Olea europaea subsp. Cuspidata-dominated. Eucalyptus globulus was the most dominant species and have variety of uses for the peoples of the District. The majority of woody plants were used to fencing followed by fire wood, traditional medicine and house construction. Many threat factors affect woody plants such as farm land expansion, fire wood, house construction, overgrazing, charcoal and drought. Hagenia abyssinica was the most commonly mentioned species with reference to high threats. The research concluded that, special attention be directed towards the conservation and sustainable use of woody plant species through collaboration of communities, the relevant government offices and non-governmental organizations.
Description
Keywords
Conservation, Borena, Ethnobotany, Eucalyptus Globulus, Species Diversity, Threats