Abstract
The study was conducted at Keramile protected open forest of Goro-gutu district, Eastern Ethiopia, with the objective to examine the effects of tree species on the above ground aboveground biomass yield and ground cover of the herbaceous plants. Three tree species, Podocarpus falcatus and Juniperus procera from indigenous and Cupressus lusitanica from exotic tree species were used. Twenty large trees from each tree species, a total of 60 trees were selected purposively and 480 samples (four quadrats under and outside canopy in four directions for each tree) of herbaceous plants were collected. The results of the current study showed that tree species, canopy cover and their interactions had significant (P 0.05) found between J. procera and C. lusitanica trees. The above ground aboveground biomass yield and ground cover obtained outside canopy was significantly higher than under canopy cover of the three tree species examined. The overall result showed that tree canopy cover strongly decreased aboveground biomass yield (P<0.0001) and ground cover (P<0.0001) of the herbaceous plants. The increased above ground aboveground biomass yield and ground cover of herbaceous plants in the outside canopies in the current study indicates that the presence of these tree species in the study area could increase the vulnerability of the herbaceous plant community to future disturbances, such as climate events. Generally, tree species, canopy cover and their interaction had negative impact on ground cover and aboveground biomass yield of herbaceous plant, in Keramile protected open forest, Goro-gutu district, eastern Ethiopia. Therefore, integrated forest and herbaceous plant management and conservation is crucial in Keramile protected open forest, Goro-gutu district, eastern Ethiopia and areas receiving similar practice.
Highlights
The demands and perceptions on open grassland ecosystem services vary among stakeholders [20], and geographical regions [2]
Tree species had a significant (P
The results of the current study showed that P. falcatus had higher herbaceous plants ground cover and aboveground biomass than J. procera and C. lusitanica tree species; but lower than the outside canopy areas
Summary
The demands and perceptions on open grassland ecosystem services vary among stakeholders [20], and geographical regions [2]. The herbaceous plants in grasslands have been traditionally sources of medicinal plants and other medicinal resources [15] and they performs an important function in decreasing the amount of gas causing the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere and in the solution of ecological problems in the global context. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 2021; 9(4): 233-240 regulation is one of important ecological functions which are performed by herbaceous plant. They regulate the timing and magnitude of water runoff, flooding, and aquifer recharge, in terms of the water storage potential of the ecosystem [15]
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