Ethno Botanical Study and Conservation Status of Wild and Semi-Wild Edibles Plant Species in Meta Robi District, West Shewa Zone Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2024-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The term "wild edible plants" refers to plant species that can be obtained from their natural habitat and used as food sources but have not been domesticated or cultivated. From November 2022 to March 2024, the ethno botany of wild and semi-wild edible plants as well as the state of their conservation in the Meta Robi District West showa zone was the subjects of this study. It deals with identifying edible wild and semi-wild plants that the Meta Robi rural people gather and use, along with their conservation status, within the study area. A variety of methods were used to gather ethno botanical data, including guided field walks with informants, semi-structured interviews, group discussions, preference ranking, and field observation to obtain indigenous knowledge about wild and semi-wild edible plant species, local vegetation classification, threats, and conservation efforts. From the study area, 34 useful edible plants were identified. Five species (14.7%) from the Rosaceae family were the most, followed by three species (8.8%) each from Anacardiaceae and Solanaceae and two species (5.9%) each from Lamiaceae and Moraceae. Edible plants mature in various seasons; 10 (29.4%) plant species were able to reach maturity in both pre-rainy and dry seasons, 14 (41.2%) of the plant species reached maturity in the post-rainy season, 8 (23.5%) plant species mature in all seasons, and 2 (5.9%) plant species mature in the rainy season. The growth form distribution revealed that trees accounted for 38.2% of the species, with 13 species, followed by herbs 32.4% with 11 species, and shrubs 29.4% with 10 species. The study area's wild and semi-wild edible plants were primarily threatened by overgrazing, exotic species introduction, deforestation for agriculture, charcoal production, buildings, and furniture. Based on the study, edible plants that grow wild or semi-wild are important resources for increasing the income and food security of rural households. So, more investigation is required to evaluate their nutritional value and ecological, economic, and other contributions.
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Meta Robi District, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ethno Botany, Wild and Semi Wild Edible Plants