Socio Economic Aspects of Lowland Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica )

Zeleke Melese

doi:10.7176/jpid/54-04

Abstract

Bamboo Plays a vital role in environmental amelioration, biodiversity preservation, and soil conservation and protects other plants from frost, wind and water erosion and itself from freely moving speedy winds and frost. It also contributes to flood management, wastage disposal, waste purification and ecological sanitation as well as recharging groundwater. Bamboo sequesters up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide from the air per hectare and it release 35% more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees. Despite the large area coverage, economic, social and conservation significance of bamboo in Ethiopia, information about production, utilization and its use as forage for livestock is limited. Therefore, the present review was conducted with the objectives of generating holistic information socio-economic aspects of the indigenous low land bamboo species. The primary use of raw bamboo material is for housing, fencing, household equipment’s and amenities. The majority of rural families are entirely dependent on raw bamboo for household furniture and as a source of domestic energy and Bamboo is the main material for the construction of house, animal sheds fences, fuel wood and beehives in Asossa Zone, Benshangul-Gumuz Region. In addition, for Jeblawi people of Mandura district in this Region, the shoots of bamboo are very important for their delicious nutritional food sources. Keywords: socio economic, oxytenanthera abyssinica DOI: 10.7176/JPID/54-04 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Highlights

More than 1,500 species and 90 genera of bamboo are found in the world, covering 36 million ha of land which is distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical belt between 460 north and 470 south latitude at elevations as high as 4000 m above sea level (FAO, 2007). Regarding their abundances 65%, 28% and 7% of the world bamboo are found in Asia, America and Africa, respectively (FAO, 2007).Forty-three species and eleven genera of bamboo are found in Africa, with area coverage of 2.7 million ha
In terms of area coverage, 67 % of the African and more than 7% of the world bamboo resource is found in Ethiopia (Ensermu et al, 2000; Kassahun Embaye, 2003; Seyoum Kelemwork, 2008)
Significant climatic changes are expected for the regions where bamboo species is plentiful as natural or introduced species

Summary

INTRODUCTION

More than 1,500 species and 90 genera of bamboo are found in the world, covering 36 million ha of land which is distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical belt between 460 north and 470 south latitude at elevations as high as 4000 m above sea level (FAO, 2007). In terms of area coverage, 67 % of the African and more than 7% of the world bamboo resource is found in Ethiopia (Ensermu et al, 2000; Kassahun Embaye, 2003; Seyoum Kelemwork, 2008). Characteristics of low Land Bamboo The lowland bamboo species is botanically known as Oxytenanthera abyssinica It is a clump forming and solid stemmed bamboo that is widely distributed in the dry regions in the western part of Ethiopia. Stands of Oxytenanthera abyssinica thrive on poor soils and provide a buffer zone for desert areas (EABP, 2009)

Seeds viable

Findings

Conclusion