Juniperus Procera Research Articles

The effects of disturbance on the population structure and regeneration potential of five dominant woody species – in Hugumburda‐Gratkhassu National Forest Priority Area, North‐eastern Ethiopia

AbstractVast areas of forests in North‐eastern Ethiopia have been replaced by cropland, shrub land or grazing areas. Thus, information about how vegetation composition and structure varies with disturbance is fundamental to conservation of such areas. This study aimed to investigate the effects of disturbance on the population structure and regeneration potential of five dominant woody species within forest where local communities harvest wood and graze livestock. Vegetation structure and environmental variables were assessed in 50 quadrats (20 m × 20 m). In most of both disturbed and undisturbed treatments, Juniperus procera was the highest contributor to the basal area of the forest, while that of Olinia rochetiana was the lowest. Analysis of population structure showed high density at lower Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and low density at higher DBH classes. Undisturbed forest treatments had 84% canopy cover, 22 m mean vegetation height and a density of 1320 trees of dominant species and 1024 seedlings/saplings ha−1. In disturbed habitats, canopy cover (73%), mean vegetation height (18 m) and density of dominant trees and saplings were significantly lower than in undisturbed habitats. Thus, to ensure species, survival and maintain species diversity managed use of the protected area is essential.

Effect of Olea oleaster and Juniperus procera leaves extracts on thioacetamide induced hepatic cirrhosis in male albino mice

The effect of Olea oleaster and Juniperus procera leaves extracts and their combination on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic cirrhosis were investigated in male albino mice. One hundred sixty mice were used in this study and were randomly distributed into eight groups of 20 each. Mice of group 1 served as controls. Mice of group 2 were treated with TAA. Mice of group 3 were exposed to TAA and supplemented with O. oleaster leaves extracts. Mice of group 4 were treated with TAA and supplemented with J. procera leaves extracts. Mice of group 5 were subjected to TAA and supplemented with O. oleaster and J. procera leaves extracts. Mice of groups 6, 7 and 8 were supplemented with O. oleaster, J. procera, and O. oleaster and J. procera leaves extracts respectively. Administration of TAA for six and twelve weeks resulted in a decline in body weight gain and increased the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. Histopathological evaluations of hepatic sections from mice treated with TAA showed severe alterations including increase of fibrogenesis processes with structural damage. Treatment of mice with these extracts showed a pronounced attenuation in TAA induced hepatic cirrhosis associated with physiological and histopathological alterations. Finally, this study suggests that the supplementation of these extracts may act as antioxidant agents and could be an excellent adjuvant support in the therapy of hepatic cirrhosis.

The Magnitude of Dieback on Juniperus procera Trees in the Natural Forests in the Southwestern Region of Saudi Arabia

The Magnitude of Dieback on Juniperus procera Trees in the Natural Forests in the Southwestern Region of Saudi Arabia

Tree dieback affects climate change mitigation potential of a dry afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia

Extreme climatic events such as droughts are likely to result in huge and long-lasting effects on regional ecosystem health if large numbers of foundation tree species continue to die. Although deforestation is severe in the Ethiopian highlands, some remnants of dry afromontane forests still exist. However, the resilience of these forests under climate change scenarios is unknown. Therefore, we studied (1) the extent and spatial patterns of standing dead stems along an elevational gradient and (2) the effects of dieback on forest carbon sequestration potential and aboveground carbon stocks, in Juniperus procera and Olea europaea dominated dry afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia, using allometric models combined with tree ring analysis. Juniperus procera and Olea europaea constitute 67% of the total tree population. Tree dieback affected a quarter of the total population. This loss is critical because 92.2% of snags belong to J. procera and O. europaea, which are the foundation species of the study forest. The total estimated mean aboveground C-stock was 19.3 (±3.9) Mg C ha−1. Of this estimate, snags contributed 34.5% of total C-stock. The estimated annual C-sequestration potential of the study forest was 0.33 (±0.03) Mg C ha−1 year−1, which is 27% less when compared to the pre-tree dieback C-sequestration potential. We found a decreasing trend in tree dieback with increasing elevation, which implies that the aboveground C-stocks and climate change mitigation potentials of the forest, was highly affected at lower elevations which is the drier part of the landscape. Tree ring analysis showed that trees reach medium-sized stem diameter (i.e., 20–25cm) after no less than 100years, indicating that the effect of forest dieback on C-sequestration potential and ecosystem function is long-lasting. Our results provide information on the magnitude of tree dieback and its long-lasting impact on forest carbon fluxes and forest ecosystem services. Evidently, the results substantiate the importance of protecting such forest to maintain the quality of the environment and to reduce efforts and cost for forest restoration after major loss. Finally, the information gained by this study provides baseline information for comparison of future carbon sequestration estimates.

Efficacy of Botanical Fungicides against Curvularia lunata at Molecular Levels

Juniperus procera and Avicennia marina extracts were tested for their antifungal activity against Curvularia lunata isolated from rice (Oryza sativa L.). Eextracts were able to supress C. lunata at high concentration 3 mg/ml. J. procera extract retarted the growth C. lunata by 88.42% while A. marina extract was less effective (37.50%). Nucleic acids content of C. lunata was reduced by both plant extracts especially J. procera extract in a distinct reverse proportion relationship when compared with the untreated samples. The antifungal effect of J. procera and A. marina extracts were explored at the molecular level, using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The results demonstrated polymorphic banding pattern. Secondary metabolites analysis of C. lunata revealed that both plants extracts were capable of blocking biosynthesis of some secondary metabolites including curvulalic acid and lunatin.

Assessment of the Inhibitory Activity of Resin from Juniperus procera against the Mycilium of Pyrofomes demidoffi

Juniperus procera is an evergreen dioecious more seldom monoecius tree, which belongs to the family Cupressaceae and the only Juniper species, which is found in the mountains of East Africa and it is an important indigenous forest tree species in Ethiopia. However J. procera is subjected to a serious attack by the slow growing white heart-rot fungus, Pyrofomes demidoffii. Resin has been reported to be active against wood colonizing fungi, however, the role of resin of J. procera in protecting the tree from the attack of P. demidoffii is not known. Therefore this study has initiated to assess the inhibitory effect of resin from J.procera against a white rot fungi P. demidoffii. Resin and basidiocarps of P. demidoffii was collected from infected J. procera trees at Menagesha Suba Forest situated 30 km South West of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The antifungal activity of J. procera resin against P. demidoffii was tested using agar dilution assay technique and an impressive result was observed. The MIC value of resin extract was within the range of 5 to 6 mg/100 ml MEAP. Phytochemical screening test for resin extract was done and it revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, flavenoides and fixed oils and the absence of carbohydrate, glycoside, steroids and fats. The crude extract of J. procera resin was fractionated into six fractions with column chromatography using different organic solvents and all fractions run on Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) plate using benzene: methanol (18:6) and benzene: ethanol: ammonia (18:2:1). All fractions gave different retention factor (Rf) in each developing solvents.

Allometric Equation for Biomass Determination in Juniperus procera Endl. and Podocarpus falcatus Mirb of Wof-Washa Forest: Implication for Climate Change Mitigation

Estimation of net above ground biomass in forest ecosystems by non-destructive means requires the development of allometric equations, to allow prediction of above ground biomass from readily measurable variables such as Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). Equations of this type have not been well developed for trees of Wof-Washa Forest. In the present study, trees of two species namely Juniperus procera and Podocarpus falcatus, with three diameter classes (30-50 cm, 51-70 cm and 71-100cm) with the aim of developing appropriate allometric equations were characterized. Each species considered separately, there was significant variation among the slopes and elevations of the equations obtained for each. The allometric equation that was obtained for the two species had significant (P> 0.000) fit for linear model. The difference between DBH-biomass relationships among these species can be attributed to differences in the distribution of biomass among trunk-plus-large-branches, secondary branches and leaves, and also woody tissue density. Comparison of these results with those obtained using a previously published allometric model revealed significant differences with biomass estimation. It is believed that previously published allometric model corresponding to above ground biomass in dry forests may bear errors, and propose the new equations to be used in the future for the two species and that other one have to become developed for the remaining species.

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto some selected local adsorbents

In this study, locally available biomasses obtained from avocado kernel seeds (AKS), Juniperus procera sawdust (JPS) and papaya peels (PP) were investigated as adsorbents for the removal of Cr(VI). The study employed a batch method to investigate the efficiency of the adsorbents. Parameters that influence adsorption such as: pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of Cr(VI), contact time and temperature have been studied. Optimum parameters for the adsorption of 5mg L –1 Cr(VI) were: pH: 1, adsorbent dose: 0.5 g, contact time: 160 min and temperature: 313 K. The equilibrium data was best fitted to the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model. The results of kinetic models showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was found to correlate well to the experimental data. The results of thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption process is feasible. The positive values of the entropy change suggest increased randomness at solid-liquid interfaces during the adsorption. The efficiencies of the adsorbents towards the removal of chromium from real samples were also examined and were found to remove chromium from waste water. KEYWORDS Adsorption, chromium (VI), avocado kernel seed, papaya peel, Juniperus procera sawdust, local adsorbent, adsorption kinetic, Thermodynamic of adsorption.

Endophytic fungi associated with high-altitude Juniperus trees and their antimicrobial activities

Fungal endophytes were isolated from twigs of Juniperus procera (Cupressaceae) collected from Taif region (Saudi Arabia). Twenty-six different taxa were recovered. The overall foliar colonization rate was 36%. A total of 144 isolates were obtained and identified into six distinct operational taxonomic units based on the sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer regions of the rRNA gene. The most prevalent fungi were Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium oxalicum, Preussia sp., Peyronellaea eucalyptica, Peyronellaea sancta and Alternaria tenuissima. A total of 144 isolates were tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Fusarium solani in which 52 isolates showed antimicrobial activity against at least one of the tested microbes. Aspergillus fumigatus (7 isolates), Hypocrea lutea (4), Penicillium oxalicum (10) and Preussia sp. (5) presented the strongest antimicrobial activity. This study confirmed the variation of different isolates of the same species in terms of antibacterial activity. Also, it indicated that the endophytic fungi of Juniperus procera plants should be another potential source of bioactive antimicrobial agents.

Measurement of some properties of pulp and paper made from date palm midribs and wheat straw by soda-AQ pulping process

The objective of this study was to characterize the properties of pulp and paper manufactured from two agricultural residues namely, wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.) and date palm midribs (Phoenix dactylifera L.) widely available in Saudi Arabia by employing soda-anthraquinone (AQ) pulping process. Specimens from cedar wood (Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl.) wood was also used as control samples. Chemical and the morphological characteristics of all three types of raw materials in addition to basic properties of hand sheets made from such resources were evaluated. The results indicated that wheat straw had the highest hemicellulose and ash values of 35% and 7% and the lowest lignin content value of 18%, respectively. The fibre length of the both palm fronds and wheat straw was lower than that of 2.2mm which was found for J. procera. Overall strength properties of the handsheet made from two agricultural raw materials were significantly lower than those made from J. procera pulp. Wheat straw handsheets also had higher strength properties than those made from date palm midribs with an exception of their tear index. Based on the results of this study it appears that both types of raw materials, date palm midribs and wheat straw could have a potential to manufacture pulp and paper with accepted properties so that such underutilized species can be converted into value-added products.

Woody plant diversity in an Afromontane agricultural landscape (Debark District, northern Ethiopia)

Woody plants serve a wide range of economic, sociocultural, and ecological functions within traditional farming systems. Conservation of woody plant diversity within agricultural landscapes is therefore critical to farmers’ livelihoods. We studied the conservation status of woody plant species and associated indigenous knowledge of small-holder farming communities in the Debark District of northern Ethiopia. We conducted interviews with 60 informants and ran free-listing, preference ranking and direct matrix ranking exercises to measure the use of woody plants by farming communities. To compare farmers’ ranking of plants with their abundance in the landscape, we measured plant frequencies, densities, and diversity by undertaking a vegetation survey. Compared with 55 woody plants named by farmers during interviews, only 14 species were encountered in the vegetation plot data; most of the remaining species were rare and therefore located by targeted searches. We found relatively low indices of species diversity (H′ = 0.58) and evenness (J′ = 0.21), indicating the low conservation status of most woody plants. Trees and shrubs indigenous to the Debark landscape have been recently replaced by an exotic tree species (Eucalyptus globulus) with a more competitive growth rate, which is valued by farmers as an economic species. The most preferred indigenous tree species (e.g. Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata and Juniperus procera) have become increasingly rare, as reported in interviews and confirmed by direct field observation and vegetation plot data. Households have started planting some indigenous woody species; however, the vast majority of new plantings are E. globulus. Swift coordinated actions are necessary to prevent the rapid replacement of indigenous woody plant diversity by a monoculture of non-native trees. A community-based program for integrated ecological restoration of indigenous woody plant diversity would require support from local government agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Assessment of Soil Seedbank Composition of Woody Species in Hgumbirda National Forest Priority Area, Northeastern Ethiopia

Detail study on soil seedbank composition and regeneration potential is needed for Ethiopian forests. In present work, soil seedbank assessment of woody plant species was made in Hgumbirda national forest priority area so as to evaluate composition and estimate their regeneration status. A total of 36 quadrates were established in selected four sites of the forest. The quadrates (20 m x 20 m) were laid along line transects. Soil samples were collected from sub-quadrates measuring 10 cm x 10 cm. Composition and status were determined by direct count and seedling emergence technique. Results showed the presence of seeds of 19 plant species in the soil. Juniperus procera had the highest viable seed density. Only Afrocarpus falcatus seeds were non-viable although very abundant (266.7seeds/m2). Except Cupressus lusitanica, no exotic woody species were found. The Shannon diversity index demonstrated low value for soil seedbank in Hgumbirda NFPA (H’=1.763). There was also significant variation of seed distribution between soil layers of the four selected forest sites (p<0.05). Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity between the standing vegetation and soil seedbank showed low value (JCS = 0.21 - 0.43). From the results, appropriate management strategies including preparation of nursery sites for selected indigenous plant species is suggested. Keywords : Soil, Seedbank, Woody species, Viable seeds, Afromontane, Hgumbirda forest, Regeneration, Ethiopia.

English

This study was conducted to assess the role of homegardens for in situ conservation of plant biodiversity in Holeta Town. In the garden data collection 75 homegardens were randomly selected. Ethnobotanical data were collected using homegarden observation, semi-structured interviews and market survey. Data were analyzed using preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and descriptive statistics. A total of 112 plant species belonging to 93 genera and 43 families were identified which were classified to 14 functional groups. Out of which, 49 species (43%) were herbs, 32 species (29 %) were trees, 28 species (25 %) were shrubs, and (3%) species were climbers. Further analysis of the results showed that 70 species were cultivated, 35 were wild while 7 species were Ethiopia domesticated. Of the cultivated species, 41.07% were food crops and 58.93% were non-food crops. Family Fabaceae consisted of the highest number of species (11 species), whereas Ensete ventricosum was the most frequently occurring species (93.75%) in the homegardens of the area. Garden was managed by males (47.93%) and females (38.41%). Of the total plant species, 13% were medicinal plants, out of which 33.33% were nutraceutical plants. Direct matrix analysis showed that Juniperus procera was the most important versatile species followed by Cordia africana. These results indicate that homegardens studied play a crucial role in food security of the households and conservation in situ of these plant resources. However, insufficient agricultural support, small- sized gardens and the shifting of polycultural farming to few income generating food crops affect the diversity of species. &nbsp; Key words: plant biodiversity, homegarden, hotspot, In situ conservation, indigenous knowledge.

Mosquito repellent activity of essential oil of Ethiopian ethnomedicinal plant against Afro-tropical malarial vector Anopheles arabiensis

In Ethiopia, malaria remains to be one of the major public health issues that causes significant impediment to socio-economic development too. A laboratory-based study has been conducted to evaluate the repellency of Ethiopian ethnomedicinal plant Tedh [vernacular name (local native language, Amharic); Juniperus procera (Cupressaceae)], against Afro-tropical malarial vector, Anopheles arabiensis Patton at four different concentrations viz., 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, and 5.0mg/cm2. Experimentation on the percentage of protection in relation to the dosage has been performed. The tested concentrations of the essential oil of J. procera exhibited various degrees of repellency in terms of percentage of repellency and complete protection time against female An. arabiensis viz., 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 and 5.0mg/cm2 [64.10% (92min)], [68.10% (125min)], [72.20% (190min)], and [80.60% (311min)], respectively. Student’s t-test results show statistically significant (P<0.001) [0.1mg/cm2 (t=82.7; df=4); 0.15mg/cm2 (t=124.8; df=4); 2.5mg/cm2 (t=25.3; df=4); 5.0mg/cm2 (t=175.3; df=4)] difference between treated and control groups. The examined essential oil exhibited significant repellent properties and it has been identified that it could serve as a potent repellent against insect vectors of disease. In Africa, Tedh is well-known as a therapeutic agent to treat various illness and insects’ repellent plant to drive-away insect vector of diseases. As the essential oil of Tedh is exceptionally safe and economical it could serve as a potent personal protective tool to minimize the burden of insect-transmitted diseases particularly malaria in the future.

Eco-friendly and Safe Role of Juniperus procera in Controlling of Fungal Growth and Secondary Metabolites

Radial growth Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum was determined on medium amended with Juniperus procera methanolic extract. The radial growth of A. flavus and F. oxysporum was significantly reduced at 150 and 200 mg. The precentage of reduction was 16.55%, 48.54% and 48.64%, 59.86% for A. flavus and F. oxysporum, respectively. However, addition of J. procera extract to Carbomar significantly reduced radial growth compared with using Carbomar alone. On the other hand, with addition of the J. procera extract, the productivity percentage of aflatoxins B2, aflatoxins B1, sterigmatocystin, cyclopiazonic acid and fusaric acid was reduced by100, 67.44, 96.28, 60.33 and 8.36%, respectively as a result of applied J. procera extract. Moreover, the extract of J. procera significantly reduced the F. oxysporum colony-forming units (cfu) in the cultivated soil with Raphanus sativus at 5 days. F. oxysporum populations at 100 and 200 mg of J. procera extract were 25.33×103 and 21.33×103 cfu g-1, respectively. However, when added with Carbomar, extract of J. procera strongly reduced F. oxysporum populations (9.33×103 cfu g-1). In addition, the J. procera extract reduced the mean disease rating of wilt disease of R. sativus caused by F. oxysporum. Less content of chlorophyll a and b (3.56 and 1.65 mg/g fresh weight, respectively at P<0.01) was detected in infected R. sativus than treated with J. procera extract or Carbomar.

Repellent Activities of Essential Oils of Some Plants Used Traditionally to Control the Brown Ear Tick,Rhipicephalus appendiculatus

Essential oils of eight plants, selected after an ethnobotanical survey conducted in Bukusu community in Bungoma County, western Kenya (Tagetes minuta, Tithonia diversifolia, Juniperus procera, Solanecio mannii, Senna didymobotrya, Lantana camara, Securidaca longepedunculata, and Hoslundia opposita), were initially screened (at two doses) for their repellence against brown ear tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, using a dual-choice climbing assay. The oils of T. minuta and T. diversifolia were then selected for more detailed study. Dose-response evaluations of these oils showed that T. minuta oil was more repellent (RD50 = 0.0021 mg) than that of T. diversifolia (RD50 = 0.263 mg). Gas chromatography-linked mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analyses showed different compositions of the two oils. T. minuta oil is comprised mainly of cis-ocimene (43.78%), dihydrotagetone (16.71%), piperitenone (10.15%), trans-tagetone (8.67%), 3,9-epoxy-p-mentha-1,8(10)diene (6.47%), β-ocimene (3.25%), and cis-tagetone (1.95%), whereas T. diversifolia oil is comprised mainly of α-pinene (63.64%), β-pinene (15.00%), isocaryophyllene (7.62%), nerolidol (3.70%), 1-tridecanol (1.75%), limonene (1.52%), and sabinene (1.00%). The results provide scientific rationale for traditional use of raw products of these plants in controlling livestock ticks by the Bukusu community and lay down some groundwork for exploiting partially refined products such as essential oils of these plants in protecting cattle against infestations with R. appendiculatus.

Mechanisms for the successful biological restoration of the threatened African pencilcedar (Juniperus procera Hochst. ex. Endl., Cupressaceae) in a degraded landscape

Juniperus procera Hochst. ex. Endl. (Cupressaceae) is world’s largest juniper, but is currently threatened owing to multiple anthropogenic factors. This paper describes mechanisms for the successful biological restoration of African pencilcedar in a degraded landscape that had been depleted of organic matter and essential nutrient elements as a consequence of relentless deforestation, soil erosion, unsustainable farming and overgrazing. We used stecklings (= planting materials derived from rooted cuttings) of J. procera, and deployed Acacia abyssinica Hochst. ex Benth. (Fabaceae) to serve as a putative foster tree. The study was conducted for a period of 7years, with major soil fertility indicators determined at years 0, 3 and 7. We found that mean height, crown length, crown diameter, branch length, and branch numbers of J. procera trees grown in association with A. abyssinica were significantly (p=0.001) higher than those grown without the putative foster tree. Mean plant-available P (15±2.1ppm) and soil N-content (0.42±0.04%) were approximately 3- and 2-fold higher, respectively, in the A. abyssinica-treated plots than in the non-treated ones. Similarly, the levels of exchangeable cations and soil organic carbon were twice higher in the A. abyssinica-treated plots than in the non-treated ones. Cation exchange capacity improved with restoration time, both in the 0–15 and 15–30cm soil profiles, but the extent of improvement was significantly (p=0.001) higher in the 0–15cm soil profile of the A. abyssinica-treated plots than in the non-treated ones. We conclude that successful restoration of Juniperus procera in degraded landscapes and across the species’ range of habitats is feasible provided that strong and well-fortified stecklings are established along with the N2-fixing, fast-growing and drought-tolerant Acacia abyssinica.

Interaction between soil textural components, flavonoids in the roots and mycorrhizal colonization in Juniperus procera in Saudi Arabia

The degree of infection of Juniperus procera roots by arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) is highly indicative of the response of plants to environmental stress and is affected by the presence of flavonoids in the roots. However, relatively little is known about the relationship between soil textural components (sand, clay, silt content) and the percentage of AMF in the field soil. The aim of this work was to determine the relationship between soil textural components, content of flavonoids and AMF infection in the roots of J. procera. A significant correlation was found between AMF in the roots of J. procera and the soil textural components. A positive or negative correlation depended on each composition of soil texture. A negative correlation was found between the percent of AMF in the roots and the amount of coarse sand, fine sand and clay, while a positive correlation existed between the percent of AMF and silt. The degree of colonization with AMF was higher when the quantity of coarse sand was lower (r = -0.83). Similar trend was also observed with fine sand (r = -0.84), and clay (r = -0.83). On the contrary, root colonization with AMF was higher when the quantity of silt was higher (r = 0.92). This study demonstrated that the proportion of silt in the soil and the amount of flavonoid are strongly and positively correlated with AMF infection in the root of J. procera in Saudi Arabia. Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, Juniperus procera, flavonoids, soil texture

Woody plants' diversity, structural analysis and regeneration status of Wof Washa natural forest, North‐east Ethiopia

AbstractWof‐Washa forest is one of the few remaining dry Afromontane forests in the central plateau of Ethiopia. Woody species composition, structure and regeneration patterns of this forest were studied to generate information essential for formulating feasible management options for the forest. Vegetation data were collected from 64 quadrats of size 20 m × 20 m, 10 m × 10 m and 5 m × 5 m for tree/shrub, sapling and seedling, respectively, laid systematically along transects. A total of 62 woody species belonging to 54 genera and 40 families were recorded. Rosaceae was the most diverse family with five (12.5%) species followed by Anacardiaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Myrsinaceae with three (7.5%) species each. Tree/shrub, sapling and seedling densities were 699, 1178 and 7618.7 individuals/ha. About 56.7% of the importance value index was contributed by Juniperus procera, Maytenus arbutifolia, Podocarpus falcatus and Ilex mitis. Vegetation classification resulted in five plant communities: Ilex mitis – Maytenus obscura, Galiniera saxifraga – Maesa lanceolata, Juniperus procera – Erica arborea, Podocapus falcatus – Allophylus abyssinicus and Pittosporum viridiflorum – Polycias fulva community types. Regeneration status of all the woody plant species was categorized as ‘Good’ (28%), ‘Fair’ (19%), ‘Poor’ (8%), ‘None’ (40%) and ‘New’ (5%).

Planning for the conservation and sustainable use of urban forestry in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The planning and management of urban forest has become increasingly important as a focus of urban environmental management. The objectives of this study were to analyze the landuse/land cover and to map functional zones of the urban forest in the upper catchment area of Addis Ababa. This study identifies five landuse/land cover types: (i) Eucalyptus–Juniperus dominated forest, (ii) mixed native forest, (iii) built-up areas, (iv) Eucalyptus plantation (v) crop/grazing lands. The vegetation analysis shows 44 woody plant species representing 31 families, out of which 13 tree species, 29 shrubs and two species of lianas. The woody species diversity was 1.35 with the species richness and evenness of 44 and 0.80, respectively. This indicates that the forest has poor species diversity which is attributed to high anthropogenic pressure and monoculture plantation development strategies in the last decades. The density of plants ranged from 25 for Olea europea to 825 individuals per hectare for Eucalyptus globules from the tree layers and from 50 for Dombeya torrida and Erica arborea to 900 individuals per hectare for Myrsine africana from shrub layers. Based on importance value index (IVI), Eucalyptus globulus and Juniperus procera showed the highest IVI of 96.37 and 54.80, respectively as compared to other species. The forest structure showed higher contagious distribution where out of the recorded 44 species, 37 species showed contagious distribution. The result also showed poor regeneration potential in all studied forest layers. Based on the landuse/cover analysis, the phytosociological study and field observation, this study recommends six urban forest zoning. These include: (i) conservation zone, (ii) recreation zone, (iii) production zone, (iv) agroforestry zone, (v) reforestation zone, (vi) buffer zone between the green area and the built-up environment. The green area in the upper catchment has no definite boundaries and needs re-demarcation activities.