Vol. 9(4), pp. 112-123, August 2021
https://doi.org/10.14662/arjasr2021105
Copyright 2021
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
ISSN: 2360-7874
http://www.academicresearchjournals.org/ARJASR/Index.htm
 

Research paper

Woody Species Management and Utilization in Agroforestry Practices: Implication for the Conservation of Native Woody Species in Rift Valley Agricultural Landscape, Dugda District, East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

 

Bonsa Fentale Jilo

 

Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center. E-mail: bonsafantale@gmail.com; Phone: +251931263210; P.O.Box: 35, Batu, Ethiopia

 

Accepted 19 July 2021

Abstract

Low management and over-utilization exacerbated the benefits farmers obtain from native woody species. The study was conducted to assess and evaluate existing silvicultural management practices rendering for woody species and assess management of natural regeneration and identify farmers use preference of the woody species in the area and rank them based on their use. Qualitative data collection methods; field observation, key informants interview and household survey were used to obtain necessary data. Within the district, three kebeles were purposively selected based on their livelihood dependency on selected agro- forestry practices, i.e., Parkland Agro-forestry practice and public managed patches of tree woodland. A total of 100 households were interviewed for responding on important variables. Pruning and pollarding were the major silvicultural management practices being applied to trees in park land practices while thinning was sometimes applied to young regeneration. While farmers are pruning or pollarding trees for different objectives, they are preparing to reduce competition between trees and crops for the next cropping season. Total removal of live woody species is not allowed in both practices unless they are dead because of different biophysical factors. But, sometimes it is applied in parkland to reduce competition. Seven purposes of management were recorded for communal woodland practice in the district. Overall the woodland serves the community as buffer zone during times of difficulty in a year. A total of 18 preferred uses were identified from 31 woody species recorded at the area. Acacia albida (Garbii), Acacia negrii (Doddota) and Acacia tortilis (Dhaddacha) were the three major tree species the respondents frequently raised during use preference and obtained the highest use value index, i.e., the first use rank. There is high dependency of local people on the uses that are obtained from native woody species in the area. Therefore, intensive improvements are important from individual species to the practice as whole to increase and sustain these native tree uses.

 

Key words: Agro-forestry practice, Silvicultural management, Use value index, Woody species.

 

How to cite this article (APA Style): Bonsa, F.J(2021). Woody Species Management and Utilization in Agroforestry Practices: Implication for the Conservation of Native Woody Species in Rift Valley Agricultural Landscape, Dugda District, East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 9(4): 112-123