Woody Species Composition, Structure, and Diversity of Parkland and Coffee-Based Agroforestry Systems, Habro District, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Agroforestry practices in eastern Ethiopia are renowned for their multifunctional landscapes, contributing significantly to biodiversity conservation and enhancement. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the diversity and structure of woody species within coffee-based and parkland agroforestry systems documented in a single study. This research aimed to evaluate the composition, diversity, and structure of woody species in these agroforestry systems. Conducted in the Habro district of eastern Ethiopia, the study involved randomly selecting sixteen plots for each agroforestry system. Inventory assessments of woody species were carried out using 40×40 and 20 m*20-meter plots for parkland and coffee-based systems respectively, and 5×5-meter plots for coffee shrubs. For trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of ≥2.5 cm, measurements of tree heights were taken. The study computed basal area, stem density, diameter, and height class distribution to characterize the structure of woody communities, and species diversity was also assessed. The findings revealed a total of 57 woody species across 31 families. Specifically, 38 woody species were recorded in parkland agroforestry, while 43 species were found in coffee-based agroforestry systems. Significant differences were observed in species diversity indices and structural parameters between the two agroforestry systems. The Shannon diversity index and richness were higher in coffee-based agroforestry compared to parkland systems. Additionally, the density and basal area of woody species were greater in coffee-based systems than in parkland agroforestry. Overall, both agroforestry systems were found to conserve a significant number of woody species, highlighting their potential to contribute to biodiversity conservation and informing future agroforestry management strategies in national programs.