Woody Species Composition of Dilfaqar Regional Park and Its Socioeconomic Importance
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Date
2006-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This Study was conducted in Dilfaqar Regional Park which is found in Doddota-Sire
District, Arsi zone, Oromia Regional State with the aims to identify, describe the
vegetation type, species diversity, as well as the importance and impacts of socioeconomic
activities of the local people. Collection of vegetation data was made using
systematic sampling methods, laying four transects and 41 plots. Plant specimens collected
from field were identified at the National Herbarium of Addis Ababa University. Socio–
economic data was collected through formal and informal discussion based on PRA
techniques and semi-structured questionnaires. Vegetation data were analyzed using PCORD
computer software, whereas socio-economic data were analyzed using descriptive
statistics. The vegetation in the study area was sparsely distributed, and only 39 woody
species representing 24 families were recorded. The most dominant species of the
vegetation in Dilfaqar Regional Park were acacia species; as a result vegetation of the
study area can be categorized under White (1983) as Somalia Massai Center of Endemism.
Classification of the vegetation data resulted in four plant communities. The density of
woody species was 1734ha-1. Beside this, the Shannon diversity index value was 2.877 and
the evenness value was 0.785. Currently Dilfaqar is recognized as one of the Regional
Parks within Oromia Regional State, where many numbers of wild animal made the
enclosed area their habitat and rejuvenization of flora observed. About 95% of the
interviewed member of the local communities had positive attitude toward enclosure of the
area as park. But, some landless householder consider enclosure of Dilfaqar as Regional
park as the reason for the limited access for grazing and farm land. More over the elder
member of the local community were highly aware of the relationship between
rehabilitation of forest and climatic change such as intensity of rain. The visibility of
wildlife and interest of the local people due to grass for house covering they obtain, will
ascertain the survival of the park. Since the area is highly degraded for along period of
time as a result the conservation activities of Dilfaqar Regional Park should involve the
collaboration of government, non governmental organizations as well as the local
communities to enhance eco-tourism, rehabilitation and sustainable utilization of the
resources in the study area.
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Biology