Abstract
The study was conducted in Shashemene district, Ethiopia. Management-related data were collected using informal and formal surveys. Woody species diversity and related parameters were collected from 60 households. Woody species with ≥5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured and recorded and below 5 cm were counted and recorded in 10 m ∗ 10 m and 1 m ∗ 1 m plot, respectively. A total of 36 woody species were recorded, of which 58% were indigenous to the area. The overall mean number of woody species per plot was 3.13. Four woody species, namely, Cordia africana, Croton macrostachyus, Persea americana, and Catha edulis, showed highest importance value index. Farmers’ preference ranks for selected woody species were recorded in order of Cordia africana, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Croton macrostachyus, and Cupressus lusitanica, respectively. The similarity in woody species composition between the study villages ranged from 0.46 to 0.60. To sustain the management of woody species, farmers implemented pruning, thinning, composting, weeding, digging, and watering activities in the area. Garden availability and market and road accessibility are the major determinants of woody species in homegarden agroforestry. The study revealed woody species diversity, management practices implemented, and factors affecting woody species diversity management in homegarden agroforestry. Therefore, government should be worked on infrastructure, resource reallocation, and awareness creation in communities for the better improvement of species diversity and its sustainable management in homegarden agroforestry.
Highlights
Homegarden is a traditional land-use system which extensively practiced throughout the world [1]
In Ethiopia, homegarden agroforestry is widely practiced as a major source of daily food and income generation [4, 10]. e study was conducted on woody species diversity identifications, management techniques, and factors
Cordia africana was the most frequent tree species occurring in 45% followed by Croton macrostachyus, Persea americana, and Casimiroa edulis. e results are in agreement with the study from Sidama homegarden in which six tree species with high frequent occurrence were reported [10]. e total woody species abundance per ha (1020) recorded was about twothirds of the woody species abundance (1535 per ha) reported from Barak Valley, North East Indian homegardens [5]. e higher mean values in woody species abundance at Shasha and Shasha could be associated with the presence of cashgenerating species like Catha edulis and other fruit tree species
Summary
Homegarden is a traditional land-use system which extensively practiced throughout the world [1]. It is found in most ecological regions of the tropics and subtropics, but a majority of them are in the lowland humid tropics [2, 3]. Many studies have been conducted on the diversity, structure, composition, and management practices of Ethiopian homegarden plant species [4, 9, 10]. E practice of homegarden is influenced through cultural barriers, lack of land, available labor, capital, agricultural extension advice, appropriate plants, and livestock [11]. Homegardening culture has developed a general structure with considerable diversity and flexibility that allows owners to produce species of their choice [13]. In Ethiopia, homegarden agroforestry is widely practiced as a major source of daily food and income generation [4, 10]. e study was conducted on woody species diversity identifications, management techniques, and factors
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