Evaluating the natural regeneration of lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica A. R. Munro) forests after mass flowering and mass death in Homosha District of Benishangul Gumuz Region, North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was done to assess the regeneration status of lowland bamboo after gregarious flowering and death in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Homosha District, Jimma and Sherkole Kebeles, North west of Ethiopia. A systematic sampling technique was used to survey lowland bamboo. A total of 20 and 11 sample plots were surveyed in Jima and Sherkole Kebeles respectively and each plots with 10 x 10m size. Field observation, regeneration inventory, FGDs, and questionnaire survey on 80 households were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The seedlings and culms had a significant difference (One way ANOVA p <0.05) in density, size (DBH) and height between the two sites. However, the size difference was statistically insignificant. Height and diameter classes distribution indicated highest number of individuals in the lower classes (<1 & 1-2 year) and this suggests that the age of the forest after mass flowering and death is not more than 4 to 5 years hence regeneration could be sensitive to the anthropogenic disturbances. Sampled HHs harvest bamboo at an age of <1 & ≥3 years and harvesting intensity was observed to be related with culms size rather than age class across different management.