Status and Ecosystem Functions of Cyperus Papyrus in Tikur Wuha Wetland, Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2018-06-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Cyperus papyrus, commonly known as papyrus called Filla by the local people in the current study area is one of the most important macrophyte species growing in the wetlands of tropical and sub-tropical countries. The aim of this study was to investigate Status and Ecosystem services of Cyperus papyrus in Tikur Wuha wetland with special emphasis on its ecological functions, population status, and its ethnobotanical uses in Tikur Wuha wetland in Southern Ethiopia located upstream of Lake Hawassa. Prevailing physical, chemical and climatic parameters of wetland was explored to check the water purification role of Cyperus papyrus. Current population status was studied using two transect lines systematically laid along right and left side of Tikur Wuha wetland to count population of Cyperus papyrus. Along the transect lines successive quadrants of (5mx5m) for matured plants and (1mx1m) for young shoots of 100m were laid. Physico-chemical data was also collected from three sites with high, low and no Cyperus papyrus populated area and water quality assessments were analysed for determination of role of Cyperus papyrus in water purification using Temperature, PH, Dissolved oxygen, Conductivity, Turbidity, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorous and heavy metals analysis. Moreover, local uses were assessed by using well established ethnobotanical data collection and analysis tools such as market survey, key informants and preference ranking. In addition, the economic and market value of Cyperus papyrus were collected using semi-structured questionnaire. The result indicated that the number mature of Cyperus papyrus was generally higher than the young shoots except few area. The results of physico-chemical studies also showed that high C papyrus populated areas contain low amount of Temperature, PH, Conductivity, Turbidity, and also high potential to uptake the Nitrogen, phosphorous and heavy metals. The result was generalized by using table and figure. This investigation showed that current status of C. papyrus is very hard to decide even the presence in the next coming years that’s why the destruction is very high but the conservation management approach is very low so the responsible stakeholders should have to enforce the policies become applied, creating awareness and make the local people, the owner of the natural environment and let them benefited from the resource.
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Keywords
Cyperus Papyrus, Ethnobotany, Physico-Chemical, Wetland