Abstract
This study was conducted in west Hararghe zone with the main objective of documenting the woody species and identifying its management in major traditional Agroforestry practices. The research was carried out between February 1, 2018–June 30 2018. In this study, total of 18 peasant associations in 6 rural districts were selected by multistage sampling in which 600 household heads were selected using random sampling techniques. Qualitative data were generated by conducting household survey interviews. The farm plot of each household was equated to an ecological sampling unit for gathering bio-physical data. Focus group discussions, key informant interview, and direct field observations were also applied to get additional data. All the collected data were manipulated using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and Microsoft Office Excel 2007 to calculate descriptive statistics, such as means, percentages and frequency. A number of Compositions of woody species in major traditional agroforestry practices in study site were observed and counted. In total, 68 woody tree species representing 31 families were recorded. In the study area family Fabaceae was a predominant with the total species of 20 (29.4%). The species can also categorized into three based on their provenance, 18 species are introduced 2 species are endemic to Ethiopia and the majority 48 species are indigenous. The common management practices of the woody species in the study area include branch pruning, coppicing, thinning, pollarding and protection from animal damage. The result of the current study shown that there are varies traditional agroforestry management in the study area. Woody plant species composition on each traditional agroforestry practices was also identified and recorded. Finally, existing woody plant species should be conserved, and the importance of each and every potential tree species in the study area for soil fertility improvement, animal feed, biological soil conservation, and ecological importance needs further study.
Highlights
Traditional agroforestry land use should be viewed as a household strategy for providing food, fuel wood and fodder that could serve as a model for sustainable forestry and agricultural practices [1]
Traditional agroforestry practices are mostly done by men because of the cultural values and responsibilities of men in west Hararghe families
The current study have shown that there are varies traditional agroforestry management practices in west Hararghe zone
Summary
Traditional agroforestry land use should be viewed as a household strategy for providing food, fuel wood and fodder that could serve as a model for sustainable forestry and agricultural practices [1] It has been practiced in Ethiopia since time immemorial by villagers on farm lands. It is recognized worldwide as a sustainable system characterized by the production of multiple species closely arranged in several overlapping canopy layers and in association with livestock [2] This integrated land use systems are believed to enhance agriculture due to the association between multiple crops and trees on one hand, and various ecological and economic benefits on the other. According to World Agroforestry Center, agroforestry is a dynamic, ecological-based natural resources management system through integration of trees into rangeland and farmland to diversify and sustain production for the increasing socio-economic and environmental benefits for all land users at all levels [3].
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