A Floristic Analysis and Ethnobotanical Study of the Semi-wetland of Cheffa Area, South Welo, Ethiopia
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Date
2000-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A floristic and ethnoboatnical study was carried out in Chetta plain, South Welo, between 20
November 1999 and 30 February 2000. A total of 74 quadrat were established in semiwetland
and relict forest Islands. Cover-abundance values were taken for 115 plant species.
From each quadrat one after the other, soil samples were taken at 0-20 cm depth and
analyzed for pH, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. Soil analysis result was
computed in one way ANOVA to compare communities in relation with their environment. A
significant difference on organic carbon and moisture content was obtained. Vegetation data
was classified using computer program named Syn -Tax, multivariate data analysis, Version
5.02 Podani (1994) .Hierarchical clustering, average linkage classificatory technique and the
following plant communities .were obtained: Bolhriochloa insculpla - Heleropogon'conlortu.~
Type, Cynodon dacfylon-Xanlhium slrumarium Type, Echinochloa colona-Panicum coloralum
Type, Panicum coloralum-Ludwigia slo/onifera Type, Trifolium rueppellianum-/solepis coslala
Type, Cyperus alopecuroides-Echinochloa pyramidalis Type, Typha domingensisSchoenopleclus
marilimus Type, Isolepis coslala-Schoenopleclus marilimus Type, Cyperus
digilalus Type, Lanlana camara-Cordia africana Type.
Ethnobotanical information of very important wild plants was obtained from local key
informants, mainly based on semi-structured interviews. A total of 206 plant species
distributed in 148 genera and 66 families were documented. Of these 54 species are noncultivated
food plants, 83 medicinal, 38 forage, 39 cleal',Sing, laundry, tooth brush,
fumigation, fragrance and other miscellaneous uses have been recorded.
Edible plant parts, eaten fresh, raw, cooked or in combinations, include leaf (4 species), fruit
(36), seed (6), flower (2), nectar (1), twig (1), stem (3), bark (2), resin (2), sap (1), above
ground part (2), rhizo- me (1) and tuber (1). Depending on food scarcity, non-cultivated food
plants were recognized and categorized as snack, seasonal, emergency and famine foods.
The Chetta people utilize 79 and 31 medicinal plants for his and ethnoveterinary use
respectively. Habit of medicinal plants includes shrubs (38 species), herbs (21), trees (13) and
climbers (11). The most frequently used plant parts are leaves (33 species). Remedies are
usually prepared by pounding, crushing and squeezing juice (79.69%). The two major routes
of administrations are oral (53.60%) and dermal (20.72%). Medicinal plants are used to treat
more than 48 human and 20 livestock ailments.
Forage and other miscellaneous uses of plants were documented. The wetland is mainly used
as a dry season grazing area. Relict forest islands are ritual, belief, religious and traditionalcommunity
based in silu conservation sites .
. ,. These ,traditional conservation activities and indigenous knowledge of, the people should be
strengthened. Traditional community based in situ conservation shoutd be complemented with ex situ
conser,ation activities.
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Keywords
Biology