Abstract
Compiled information on parkland agroforestry tree species in relation to diversity, tree management options and the challenges of the system is important for production and productivity, and biodiversity conservation through availing the required information which in turn has an implication to the sustainability of the system and climate change mitigation. So, the aim of this review paper is to compile information on parkland agroforestry practices of Ethiopia, particularly: on tree species diversity, their roles, management options available and challenges of the practice. Parkland agroforestry which is a system practiced by many local populations comprises the large part of agricultural landscapes in Ethiopia and is very important in different aspects such as; for food security, microclimate amelioration, economic benefits, environmental protection, household energy, household utensils, cultural values, traditional medicines, and fodder. There are many indigenous multipurpose tree species scattered on farmlands in Ethiopia, and the common one includes: Millettia ferruginea, Cordia africana, Ficus vasta, Ficus sur, Croton macrostachyus and Faidherbia albida. However, nowadays these trees are facing challenges like: expansion of exotic trees in the expense of the native ones, expansion of cash crops through removal of the parkland trees from the farm area, climate change, land shortage and tenure system which require high emphasis for the production and productivity as well as sustainability of the system especially, in this era of climate change; hence this system is one of climate change mitigation options.
Highlights
Domestication of soil improving trees for enhancing the productivity of soil through a combination of selected trees and food crops on the same farm field is the major reason for practicing agroforestry land use systems (ICRAF, 2000) and an agroforestry system is an age-old tradition in Ethiopia (Jama & Zeila, 2005).Forests are important natural resources that are contributing to ecology, rural livelihoods, national economies and international wealth
The Ethiopian parkland includes exotic and indigenous trees off which the common indigenous parkland trees on croplands include: Millettia ferruginea, Cordia africana, Ficus vasta, Ficus sur, Croton macrostachyus and Faidherbia albida which are located at different densities and localities depending on different factors, and under different management options in a way that it contributes to the cereal crops beneath them
Gizachew et al (2015) reported 25% of the trees found on parklands are exotic trees on a study conducted at Hawassa Zuria District, Molla & Kewessa (2015) on their study carried out at Dollo Menna District found out that 15% of parkland trees are exotic tree species, a study conducted in Gununo Watershed reported 31% of the species are exotic (Bajigo & Tadesse, 2015), Endale et al (2017) on the study conducted at semi-arid parts of east Shewa has found 30% of the species recorded are exotic species, Guyassa and Raj (2013) has recorded a 13.3% of exotic tree species on the study carried out in Tigray region
Summary
Domestication of soil improving trees for enhancing the productivity of soil through a combination of selected trees and food crops on the same farm field is the major reason for practicing agroforestry land use systems (ICRAF, 2000) and an agroforestry system is an age-old tradition in Ethiopia (Jama & Zeila, 2005). The destruction of forests is seen as a cause of environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, climate change, and poverty They are recognized as a factor in climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental stabilization and a source for local and national development (Bongers, 2010). The major reason for practicing agroforestry land use systems like parkland trees is the domestication of soil improving trees for enhancing soil productivity through a combination of selected trees and food crops on the same farm field (Kassa et al, 2010). Some of the major roles they play includes: heating, cooking, household utensils, cultural values, provision of pollen and nectar for honey production, construction of houses and handles of farm implements (Negash, 2007), traditional medicines (Boffa, 2000; CIFOR, 2005), economic benefits, fodder values, employment opportunities and contribute to regional and national economy (Abebe, 2005)
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