Carbon stock and woody species diversity in homegarden agroforestry along an elevation gradient in southern Ethiopia

Diversification of trees and other agricultural crops allowed the traditional agroforestry systems of southern Ethiopia to be considered as sustainable farming systems. But their sustainability has been threatened overtime. The study was conducted in Hadiya zone, southern Ethiopia with the aim to characterize tree species diversity on farms and to investigate link of tree species diversity to farm characteristics. A complete on-farm tree inventory was carried out on farms of 108 randomly selected households. A total of 108 trees and shrub species were recorded, of which 24% were exotics. The mean number of tree species per farm was 29, ranging between 11– 65. The highest number of tree species was recorded relatively closest to the market center. Thirteen different farm field types were identified, of which “enset” was with largest number of tree species. The highest and lowest mean number of tree species was identified and recorded. Dissimilarity in composition of tree species among the districts ranged between 0.30 – 0.45. A significant correlation (P<0.05) was found between farm size, wealth status and distance of farms from the market. Woody species diversity is well acknowledged in the study area but further studies of woody species in relation to usage diversity seem important.

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Conversion of natural forests to farmlands and its associated woody species diversity and carbon stocks in a span of 33 years (1984 to 2016): in the case of southwestern Ethiopia

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.28336.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 227

Author(s):

Tamiru Kefalew ◽

Mulugeta Betemariyam ◽

Motuma Tolera

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Carbon Stock ◽

Woody Species ◽

Carbon Stocks ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Natural Forest ◽

Total Carbon ◽

Forest Conversion ◽

Woody Species Diversity ◽

Forest Farm

Background Gura-Ferda forest is one of the Afromontane rainforests in the southwestern region of Ethiopia. However, since 1984, large parts of this forest have become increasingly disturbed and fragmented due to forest conversion into forest farm interface and farmlands. The study was conducted to assess changes of woody species diversity and carbon stock in association with the conversion of natural forest to forest farm interface and farmlands. Methods Data were collected from natural forest, forest farm interface and farmland which are historically forest lands before 1984. A total of 90 nested plots (20m×20m for natural forest and forest farm interface; 50m*100m for farmland)) were established for inventory of woody species. Three 1m×1m subplots were established to collect litter and soil samples. A total of 180 soil samples were collected. The total carbon stocks were estimated by summing carbon stock in the biomass and soil (0-60 cm depth). Results Results showed that Shannon-Wiener diversity (H’) in forest farm interface (H’ = 1.42±0.49) is significantly lower than that of natural forest (H’ = 2.72±0.31) but significantly higher than farmland (H’ = 1.08±0.57). The total carbon stocks of natural forest (388.54±161.63 Mg C ha-1) were approximately 1.53 and 2.67 times higher than that of forest farm interface (252.95±41.86 Mg C ha-1) and farmland (145.58±25.94 Mg C ha-1). Conclusion Our study revealed that along the conversion gradient of natural forest to forest farm interface and farmland there was a significant change of woody species diversity and carbon stocks.

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Area exclosure effects on soil properties and woody species diversity in Amelake sub-watershed, Southern Ethiopia

International Journal of River Basin Management ◽

10.1080/15715124.2020.1843469 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-23

Author(s):

Tamrat Sinoreand Dinsa Doboch

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Woody Species ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Woody Species Diversity

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Woody species diversity, productivity and carbon stock potential of dry deciduous woodland in Alitash National Park, North West Ethiopia

International Journal of Scientific Research and Management ◽

10.18535/ijsrm/v6i10.ah01 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Amsalu Abich Andargie ◽

Asmamaw Alemu Abtew ◽

Tadesse Mucheye Azagew ◽

Mequanent Tebikew Asres ◽

Yohannis Gebremariam Grima

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

National Park ◽

Carbon Stock ◽

Basal Area ◽

Woody Species ◽

Individual Species ◽

North West ◽

The Status ◽

North West Ethiopia ◽

Woody Species Diversity

Dry woodlands provide multifunctional benefits which grouped socioeconomic and ecological values. Despite these advantageous while recently threatened, the status of dry woodland attribute is not well understood, particularly Alitash National Park (ANP). Hence, woody species diversity, productivity and carbon stock potential of ANP were studied. Based on the collected data, a total of 24 woody species were identified. The computed Shannon-Wiener's diversity and evenness index were 2.11 and 0.66, respectively which indicated that moderate diversity and individual species were sparsely distributed horizontally. The study site was dominated by few individuals of woody species that exhibited the highest value of IVI. Population structure pattern of woody species showed F shape indicates the first class exhibited good regeneration. Whereas, species in the second classes interrupted the seedling establishment phase and transformation to sapling stage as a result of disturbance caused by anthropogenic, grazing and frequent firing. Stand basal area, volume and AGB were 8.57 m2ha-1, 48.15 m3ha-1 and 49.06 ton ha-1, respectively. The estimated carbon stock of the stand was 27.7 ton ha-1. In conclusion, the results of woody vegetation attributes showed ANP is affected negatively caused by different disturbance indicate the need of appropriate intervention and management system although ANP is protected.

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