Asfaw Zemede (Professor)Demissew Sebsebe (Professor)Lulekal Ermias (Professor)Fisaha Gebremicael2020-12-182023-11-092020-12-182023-11-092020-10-10http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/24183This dissertation is the result of a study made on the plant diversity and ethnobotany of medicinal plants in Menz Gera District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Data on vegetation and the ethnobotany of medicinal plants were collected during multiple field visits made at different seasons between 2016 and 2018. Vegetation data were collected in Yegana and Gajilo forest patches using a systematic random sampling design. Seventy-two quadrats, at 50m altitudinal drop from 14 transects (7 transects for each forest patch) set at 500 m interval, measuring 20mx20m for mature trees and 10mx10m, 5mx5m and 2mx2m sub quadrats for saplings, seedlings/shrubs and herbs respectively, were laid down. Ethnobotanical information on traditional medicinal plants was gathered through semi-structured interviews involving 390 informants representing different social groups, through group discussions, field observation, guided field walks and market survey in 13 Kebeles (sub-districts) of the District. Antimicrobial activity testing was conducted on eight medicinal plant species with high informant consensus values and no record of previous such tests. A total of 284 species in 213 genera and 89 families were recorded from both ecological and ethnobotanical studies. Asteraceae and Poaceae were the families with the highest number of species (14.44% each) followed by Fabaceae (6.69%). Twenty-five (8.8%) endemic species to Ethiopia were encountered. A total of 212 plant species representing 154 genera and 72 families were identified from the natural forest patches whereas 72 species belonging to 59 genera and 17 families were collected outside of the natural forest patches through ethnobotanical inventory. Three plant communities (Juniperus procera - Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Hagenia abyssinica - Ekebergia capensis and Podocarpus falcatus - Galiniera saxifraga) were identified. Structural and regeneration status analysis of tree species revealed different population structures indicating that there are species that require urgent conservation measures. A total of 156 plant species that belong to 136 genera and 67 families were identified to have values for treating 87 humans and 16 livestock ailments in traditional medicine. Asteraceae had the highest number of traditional medicinal plants (9.62%), followed by Lamiaceae (6.41%) and Solanaceae (5.77%). The most frequently used plant parts for the preparation of remedies were leaves and roots, which accounted for 32.05% and 30.77% respectively. The oral route of administration (46%) was commonly used for both human and livestock disease treatment. Out of the traditional medicine, 21(13.5%) were found to be traded at local markets and were sold and bought for different purposes. Gastrointestinal disease category scored highest ICF (0.78) and abdominal pain; Diarrhea and Gastritis were the most reported human health problems under this disease category. Parents were the major (85%) sources of indigenous knowledge on herbal medicine in the area. A broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity of extracts was shown in the cases of Inula confertiflora (leaf), Laggera tomentosa (root) and Satureja abyssinica (leaf). Ever-increasing population, which demands more land for livelihood with the usual unsustainable collection of traditional medicinal plants from natural stands are the main threats to the plants of the study area. Plantation of indigenous trees to increase their abundance, providing alternative sources of livelihood to minimize deforestation, establishment of a research center for threatened medicinal plants and indigenous trees and further study on selected traditional medicinal plants for drug development are some of the actions required in the short time range.enAntimicrobial TestEthnobotanyForest VegetationForest PatchesIndigenous KnowledgeTraditional MedicineThesis