Review on Factors Affecting Regeneration of Indigenous Tree Species in Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper is a review from various research articles and literatures on factors affecting regeneration of indigenous tree species in Ethiopia. A couple of decades ago, the regeneration status of indigenous tree species in the natural forest of the country were better as compared to the situation at the present. In addition, because of the various benefits they provide for farming community, farmers cultivate indigenous tree species on their farmlands as components of agroforestry systems. The regeneration status of these indigenous tree species can be determined by comparing the population of seedlings, saplings, and matured trees of each species. The successful regeneration of these indigenous woody species depends on several factors. The ability of these woody species to initiate new seedlings and their survival and also growth of seedlings and saplings of the species are among the major factors affecting their regeneration. In addition, knowledge gap on seed biology and germination physiology, which is the base for planning quality seed collection by understanding the maturity of seeds; climatic and environmental factors that affect the resistance of a tree species and seedling survival; expansion of invasive alien species that affect the stage of either fruiting, germination or growth of tree species; anthropogenic activities such as deforestation and forest fragmentation; as well as expansion of exotic tree species are also some of the factors that affect the regeneration of these native tree species. Therefore, management and conservation strategies and interventions that are well aligned with addressing these factors should be designed and implemented for enhancing the regeneration of indigenous tree species of the country.