Assessment of Farm Characteristics and Woody Species Diversity in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

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.