The undifferentiated afromontane forest of Denkoro in the central highland of Ethiopia: a floristic and structural analysis

The floristic composition and vegetation structure of Denkoro forest, South Wello Zone of Amhara Region, N. Ethiopia, were described during November–December, 2002. A total of 95 sample plots were analysed, and 174 species of vascular plants representing 66 families were recorded. Out of these, 41 species were new records reported for the first time from Wello. Eleven endemic species, which are included in the IUCN Red List categories, have been recorded. Based on the results of vegetation classification, six clusters were recognized and designated as local plant community types: 1) Erica arborea - Hypericum revolutum, 2) Myrsine melanophloeos - Dombeya torrida, 3) Myrsine africana – Maesa lanceolata – Prunus africana, 4) Olinia rochetiana – Olea europaea, 5) Olinia rochetiana – Allophylus abyssinicus – Apodytes dimidiata, and 6) Maytenus gracilipes – Teclea nobilis. Structural analysis of the forest showed the density of individuals > 10 cm DBH to be almost twice as that of individuals with DBH >20 cm. A higher proportion of woody individuals (ca. 65%) fell in the low height classes (i.e., < 12 m). Analysis of population structure revealed five patterns, depicting the species dynamics in the forest. When compared with other forests in Ethiopia, Denkoro forest shows similarity to the dry evergreen montane forests of the Central Plateau than those elsewhere. SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol. 29(1) 2006: 45–5

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Wonago Woreda, SNNPR, Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Medicinal plants are the integral part of the variety of cultures in Ethiopia and have been used over many centuries. Hence, the aim of this study is to document the medicinal plants in the natural vegetation and home gardens in Wonago Woreda, Gedeo Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPR).</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>Thirty healers were selected to collect data on management of medicinal plants using semi-structured interview, group discussion, and field observation. The distribution of plant species in the study areas was surveyed, and preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, priority ranking of factors and Informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The informants categorized the vegetation into five community types based on plant density and associated landform: 'Raqqa', 'Hakka cadanaba', 'Mancchha', 'Bullukko', and 'Wodae gido'. 155 plant species were collected from the natural vegetation and 65 plant species from the home gardens ('Gattae Oduma'). Seventy-two plant species were documented as having medicinal value: Sixty-five (71%) from natural vegetation and 27 (29%) from home gardens. Forty-five (62%) were used for humans, 15(21%) for livestock and 13(18%) for treating both human and livestock ailments: 35 (43.2%) were Shrubs, 28(34.5%) herbs, 17 (20.9%) trees and 1(1.2%) climbers. The root (35.8%) was the most commonly used plant part. The category: malaria, fever and headache had the highest 0.82 ICF. Agricultural expansion (24.4%) in the area was found to be the main threat for medicinal plants followed by fire wood collection (18.8%). Peoples' culture and spiritual beliefs somehow helped in the conservation of medicinal plants.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Traditional healers still depend largely on naturally growing plant species and the important medicinal plants are under threat. The documented medicinal plants can serve as a basis for further studies on the regions medicinal plants knowledge and for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies.</p

Plant Diversity Study on Kelekal Protected Forest in Debre Markos Town District, East Gojjam, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

This research was aimed to investigate floristic composition and structure of Kelekal protected forest established since 1999. For plant data collection, 33 different quadrats having 400 m2 along seven different line transects were used. The structural data like Frequencies, Density, DBH, Height, Relative dominance, Relative density and IVI values were calculated for each species and for the selected woody plants. The woody plant species having DBH ? 2.5 cm and height greater than 2.5 m were measured. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to classify different plant communities. Shannon winner diversity indices and Sorensen’s similarity indices were used to compare the identified plant communities. Endemic and economically important plants were identified from Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea books. This research resulted 103 different vascular plants. Eight (7.77%) plants are endemic and the “K” partitioning in the R program using hierarchical cluster analysis resulted three-plant community types. The general distribution pattern of these woody plants at different DBH and height classes showed an inverted “J” shape pattern. Four different population patterns were investigated from the density of these species recorded at different DBH class. The result of the structural data provides pertinent information for future forest management techniques in Kelekal protected forest

Wild edible plants: sustainable use and management by indigenous communities in and the buffer area of Awash National Park, Ethiopia

Wild edible plants are valuable resources in rural livelihoods for supplementing the staple food, ensuring food security, dietary diversification and sustained income. This study aimed to identify and document indigenous uses and management of wild edible plants being used by the Afar and Oromo communities in and the buffer area of Awash National Park. A total of 96 informants between the ages of 20 and 80 were identified using prior information. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, guided field walk, discussions, market surveys and field observation. A total of 55 wild edible species were identified by members of the local communities. About 93% of the species were reported with their vernacular (local) names, where 69% were reported by the Afar and 87% by the Oromo communities. Eighty-nine percent of the species were classified as indigenous to the area, while 11% were classified as exotics. Preference ranking indicated that the fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. are the most preferred edible fruit by the local communities. The local people access the National Park for some of the wild edible plants as they are largely depleted from the surrounding areas. The yet untapped potentials of the wild edible plants as food sources in the area need better attention in future research plans. The issue of conservation of wild edible plants is unquestionable to ensure household food security, dietary diversification and local communities’ income, which also contributes to the biodiversity

Effects of the Invasive Alien <em>Prosopis juliflora</em> (Sw.) DC and Its Management Options in Ethiopia: A Review

This paper aimed to review the effects of P. juliflora (hereafter P. juliflora is represented by P. juliflora) on environmental factors in Ethiopia, management options and take up lessons learned elsewhere, and discuss about utilization and management of P. juliflora. It addresses relevant scientific information based on the evaluation of data collected from different journals, books, manuals, and various reports using the systematic review method. Invasion of P. juliflora had positive effects on soil properties, negative effects on plant diversity, human health, livestock health, and other economic losses. Its negative effects are outweighing its positive effects. The main negative effects of P. juliflora are its biotic factors such as allopathic chemicals and active ingredients such as phenolic compounds that are impairing animals and human beings. Mechanical, chemical, management by utilization, fire, disruption of its phenological stages, and biological control methods are among control methods of the species. However, these control methods have their pros and cons for its management. The review was based on limited research findings and sources because there are limitations in research works regarding P. juliflora and its management. This review is used to know the invasion of P. juliflora and its management options in Ethiopia and other similar tropical countries across the world

Indigenous Knowledge on Plant Species of Material Culture...

Indigenous knowledge IK on plant species of material culture construction traditional arts and handicrafts used by the indigenous people in and around the Awash National Park ANP Ethiopia was conducted ethnobotanically The study aimed to investigate various aspects of IK on plant species of material culture A total of 96 informants between the ages of 20 and 80 were selected using prior information Data were collected using semi-structured interview guided field walk discussions and field observation similarity was applied for data analysis A total of 156 plant species of material culture belonging to 115 genera and 70 families were collected Of these 79 species serve as sources of raw materials for various construction purposes while 77 for traditional art and handicrafts Out of these 8 species were reported by the Afar Nation 14 by the Oromo Nation and the rest by both Nations About 93 of the species were reported with their vernacular local names where 73 were reported by the Afar Nation and 87 by the Oromo Nation Planting of these important species around homesteads and farmlands raising tree seedlings at nursery for large scale plantation better animal husbandry practices and improved shortage of grazing lands to minimize overgrazing of thatched grasses sustainable utilization and conservation of the species and awareness raising of the local people are recommende

An iconic traditional apiculture of park fringe communities of Borena Sayint National Park, north eastern Ethiopia

Background: Traditional apiculture has been practised in Ethiopia over a long historical period and still remains a benign means to extract direct benefits from natural ecosystems. While its contribution to economic development and watershed protection is increasingly recognized its cultural significance is however, seldom noticed. This study was conducted using an ethnobotanical study approach to document the honey bee flora and associated indigenous knowledge of local communities in Borena Sayint National Park (BSNP), north eastern Ethiopia. Methods: Data were collected from 170 informants through semi-structured interviews and guided field walks, focus group discussion with 37 informants and 14 key informants and analyzed using standard analytical tools including ranking, comparisons and multivariate analyses. Results: In total, 152 bee forage species in 133 genera and 74 families were documented. The Asteraceae and Rosaceae were represented with six species each over the other plant families. Percentage of mentions per species ranged between 76.9 and 13.5 % for the most salient bee forage species. Dombeya torrida, Erica arborea, and Olinia rochetiana captured high community consensus as measured by rank order of popularity and designated as local appellation names of honey. Cluster analysis of priority ranking data showed relationships between key informants with respect to preferences, but ordination analysis did not indicate environmental proximity as a determinant of their responses. Five honey harvesting seasons occur each corresponding to the floral calendar of a dominant bee forage species that stipulate relocation of hives to appropriate locations within the national park. Conclusion: The apicultural tradition is iconic with economic value and forming part of the local peoples' cultural identity apt to be preserved as a bequest for posterity

Isoenzyme analysis of five endemic and one widespread Kniphofia species (Asphodelaceae) of Ethiopia

There are seven species of genus Kniphofia in Ethiopian flora. K. foliosa, K. hildebrandtii, K. insignis, K. isoetifolia, and K. schimperiare endemic. Kniphofia pumila and K. thomsonii are widespread from West Africa to Eastern and Central Africa. In this study the genetic diversity and the relationships between five endemic and one widespread Kniphofia species in Ethiopia was conducted based on isoenzymes systems. The electrophoretic analyses of four enzymes systems in the species from ten experimental sites in ten locations revealed seven putative loci, of which PGM-1, PGM-2, AAT-2 and GPI-2 were polymorphic. The species have displayed higher genetic diversity parameters than other endemic plants. The over all mean inbreeding coefficient (F) was positive indicating slight deficiency in the number of heterozygotes. The total genetic diversity varies from 0.5 in K. schimperito 1.11 in K. isoetifolia indicating very low diversification between the populations with in a species. At the generic level HT ranges from 0.034 to 0.470 with a mean of 0.247. The genetic variation among the species (GST) is 6.6%. Over all mean of genetic distance (0.011) and genetic similarity (0.938) indicated high similarity among the populations. Despite morphological variation particularly in floral morphology and inflorescence architecture, the over all mean of unbiased genetic identity of the species (0.989) is much higher than described for congeneric species (I = 0.64). The results, therefore, indicate that the Ethiopian Kniphofia species share a fairly recent common ancestor, but have differentiated in floral and inflorescence character through rapid evolution. This hypothesis needs, however, further testing.Key words/phrases: Endemism, genetic diversity, isoenzyme, kniphofia, inbreeding coefficient SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol. 27 (2) 2004:143–15

Plants and vegetation of NW Ethiopia

Pichi Sermolli’s work with his more than 2750 collections of plants from nearly 150 localities on the Lake Tana expedition in Ethiopia in 1937 was interrupted by World War II, but completed in 1947 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the British Museum (Natural History), UK. It resulted in preliminary accounts of the vegetation published 1938-40 and a taxonomically arranged account in 1951, all in Italian. Pichi Sermolli’s observations are difficult to locate due to the imperfect maps of the time, but in this book the authors have reconstructed the sequence of the collections, georeferenced the localities, and updated the identifications of the species. By reconstructing Pichi Sermolli’s observations, it is possible to draw conclusions about the vegetation and compare with a recent model of the vegetation of Ethiopia. According to this, the vegetation of the Lake Tana Basin was a complex mosaic of woodland, scrub, forest, farmland and lake shore vegetation now difficult to interpret in detail. Pichi Sermolli’s study of the vegetation in the Semien Mountains demonstrated for the first time the zonation of Ericaceous woodland and Afroalpine vegetation, within which he distinguished Carex monostachya bogs, Afroalpine grasslands with Lobelia rhynchopetalum, and stony and rocky Afroalpine vegetation. This book interprets Pichi Sermolli’s observations in English and compares them with modern knowledge of the region, partly obtained by the present authors’ own field work. It demonstrates how Pichi Sermolli’s studies form a valuable contribution to the understanding of the Ethiopian flora and vegetation

Medicinal plant use practice in four ethnic communities (Gurage, Mareqo, Qebena, and Silti), south central Ethiopia

Background : Ethnic groups throughout the world have developed their own cultures expressed in the form of customs, taboos, and traditional healthcare systems. Traditional medicine system is one of the widespread cultures known throughout the world which is very much tied to cultural practices of the community or ethnic group. Medicinal plant treasure found in Gurage and Silti zones remained poorly characterized and understood. Therefore, this study was conducted in four ethnic groups: three from Gurage zone (Gurage, Qebena, and Mareqo) and one from Silti zone (Silti) which have lived in close proximity and contact for many centuries in the respective zones. In the present study, unique and shared cultural elements in connection to traditional herbal medicine were examined through investigation of the diversity of medicinal plants. Moreover, attempts have been made to determine similarities among the society in the medicinal plants they have used in general and in medicinal plant species considered culturally most important. Methods: In a study that involved 320 randomly sampled informants, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation were used and qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Descriptive statistics, rank order priority (ROP), informant consensus factor, Jaccard similarity coefficient, and clustering were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 244 medicinal plant species and a fungal species used to treat human and/or livestock ailments were documented. The number of plants (80 plants, 33 %) with ROP value greater than 50% were considerably fewer than that of plants with ROP < 50% (164, 67 %). Jaccard similarity index and clustering analysis for all cited plants, among the respective studied districts, indicated that grouping generally followed the existing ethnic origin. On the contrary, clustering based on culturally important medicinal plant species (80 plant species, score ROP ≥ 50%) showed the influence of proximity and geographical orientation rather than ethnic relation. Conclusions: Culturally, most important plants (80 spp.) are widely used and best shared with nearby communities and this could imply current (new) knowledge being practiced in the communities. This knowledge must be documented and better utilized in a modern way including modernized use of traditional medicinal plants