Abstract
This review was made to bring forth the contradicting outlooks from different research findings, challenges on the Eucalyptus species and show the opportunities we have with the tree. Due to the impact of Eucalyptus tree species on ecological health and agricultural productivity, ecologists, policy makers and politicians have had a negative view on this tree species. Hence, attempts are made to remove the tree from the agricultural landscape in some part of Ethiopia. In contrast, the farmers of Ethiopia prefer the fast growing, economically attractive, and the quality wood yields of Eucalyptus tree species. So we need to look for other dimension to coincide the existing contradictions. Eradication of the tree cannot be solution without replacing with suitable tree species for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. The tree can continue to supply fuel wood and construction material and thereby retard the rate of deforestation and loss of biodiversity resources of the remnant forests of the country. Collaborative work is crucial to gear efforts towards the establishment of a proper management system for the cultivation of Eucalyptus tree. Appropriate management practices such as species selection, planting site selection, correct site-species matching and efficient utilization can maximize the opportunity obtained from the tree. It is also very important to look for alternative trees species to replace Eucalyptus trees, and further studies are required to test the level of Eucalyptus species impact on specific ecosystem. Also, polices need to achieve a reasonable trade-off between the socio-economic value and agro-ecological conservation. Key words: Agro biodiversity, biodiversity, ecology, eucalyptus, forest.
Highlights
Eucalyptus species are the most widely introduced long and ever green exotic trees from Myrtaceae family (Rassaeifar et al, 2013)
Chanie (2009) has shown that Eucalyptus tree planting is the most dominant tree plantation practice in the Koga Watershed in north western Ethiopia for fuel wood production, income generation and construction material demand that may not be adequately supplied with indigenous species
Eucalyptus is the tree of choice for wood production and economic benefit by farmers in Ethiopia regardless of the claims that indicate the tree is harmful to the environment and biodiversity (Chanie et al, 2013)
Summary
Eucalyptus species are the most widely introduced long and ever green exotic trees from Myrtaceae family (Rassaeifar et al, 2013). This review was made to synthesize literatures on the impact of Eucalyptus tree plantation on the ecosystem and the environment, and on the high interest of farmers towards this tree species.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have