Interfaces of regeneration, structure, diversity and uses of some plant species in Bonga Forest: a reservoir for wild coffee gene pool

Studies on the diversity, regeneration, structure and uses of some woody species in the Bonga Forest, one of the Afromontane forests of Ethiopia were made. A 900 m2 (30 m x 30 m) quadrat was laid following the homogeneity of vegetation in order to collect vegetation data. Investigation of the seedling density and regeneration of target species has been carried out using the same quadrat size. In each of these quadrats, the numbers of all seedlings that are up to the height of 150 cm were recorded. Individuals attaining 150 cm and above in height but less than 10 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) were considered as sapling and counted. dbh and height of all woody species that are above 150 cm high and more than 10 cm thick were also recorded. Interviews were conducted to collect data on various human pressures exerted on different species. A total of 243 plant species belonging to 85 families were recorded from the Bonga Forest. Of these, 66 families were angiosperms, 2 gymnosperms and 17 monilophytes (ferns). Studies on the structure and regeneration of some woody species indicated that there are species that require urgent conservation measures. Sound management and monitoring, as well as maintenance of biodiversity, cultural and economic values of the forest require conservation activities that promote sustainable uses of the forest and its products

Structure and Regeneration of Gendo Moist Montane Forest, East Wellega Zone, Western Ethiopia

Gendo Forest vegetation is one of the moist montane forests found in East Wellega Zone, Ethiopia, containing diverse animals and plant species. The objectives of the present study is to investigate forest structures along regeneration status and finally recommending sound conservation strategies based on conservation priorities. Seventy two plots of 20 m x 20 m (400 m2) were laid along eight transect lines and along altitudinal gradient following systematic sampling. About 100 plants species were recorded; out of which 38 were selected for structural analysis of forest structural studies that included DBH, height, classes, and regeneration status of Gendo forest. Structures were compared with some other similar forests found in Ethiopia. Four population distribution structures and four conservation priorities were described from DBH class analysis. Moreover, since the forest is yet not recognized as forest priority areas in the country, the forest is recommended to be included in forest priority areas for further conservation and management practices that leverage the problems of sustainable forest management issues. Key Words:  Gendo Forest, moist montane forest, regeneration, structur

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Mana Angetu District, South Eastern Ethiopia

This study documents indigenous medicinal plant utilization, management and the threats affecting them. The study was carried out in Mana Angetu district between January 2003 and December 2004. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi structured interviews, field observations, preference and direct matrix ranking with traditional medicine practitioners. The ethnomedicinal use of 230 plant species was documented in the study area. Most of the plants (78.7%) were reportedly used to treat human diseases. The most frequently used plant part were roots (33.9%), followed by leaves (25.6%). Most of the medicinal species (90.4%) were collected from the wild. Direct matrix analysis showed that Olea europaea L. Subsp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) was the most important species followed by Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne (120) indicating high utility value of these species for the local community. The principal threatening factors reported were deforestation (90%), agricultural expansion (85%) and fire (53%). Documenting the eroding plants and associated indigenous knowledge can be used as a basis for developing management plans for conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants in the area

Structure and Regeneration Status of Menagesha Amba Mariam Forest (Egdu Forest) in Central Highlands of Shewa, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Menagesha Amba Mariam Forest (Egdu), a dry evergreen afromontane forest in central highlands of Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to determine vegetation structure, community types and regeneration status of the forest. Sixty- nine sample plots (20 m x 20 m) were laid following altitudinal gradient and each releve has a 125 m altitudinal drop. Herbaceous species were collected from five (1 m x 1 m) sub-plots laid at four corners each and one at the centre of the large releve. All plant species found in each plot were recorded, collected, pressed and identified following Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and height were measured for trees and shrubs having DBH > 2.5 cm. The analysis of vegetation revealed that the forest possesses the highest number of DBH, height and density of species at the lower classes. Vertical stratification revealed that most of the species in the Menagesha Amba Mariam Forest were found in the lower storey. The total density of tree stems per hectare and basal area of trees with DBH >2.5 cm were 4,362.08 and 84.17 m2 ha-1 respectively. The total density  of tree species greater than 2 cm and 10 cm DBH were found to be 860.56 which is greater than  those with DBH >20 cm (197.46). Thus the regeneration prevalence of small individuals (seedlings and saplings) was at good condition. Menagesha Amba Mariam Forest which is one of the remnant dry evergreen afromontane forests in central Ethiopia was selected to provide baseline information of the forest and degree of anthropogenic impact. Keywords: Altitudinal gradient, dry evergreen montane forest, Menagesha Amba Mariam Forest, regeneratio

Ethnoveterinary plants of Ankober District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Background: Traditional herbal preparations for addressing veterinary problems have been applied in Ankober District, Ethiopia, for generations. However, the millennia-old ethnoveterinary knowledge of the community, and the plants are subjected to loss without being scientifically documented due to anthropogenic and environmental threats. Hence, this study aims at providing a comprehensive documentation on ethnoveterinary plant knowledge of the people in order to preserve the fast-eroding knowledge and resources of the area. Methods: Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation and walk-in-the-woods methods were used to gather ethnoveterinary data. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity level (FL) values were calculated using quantitative approaches so as to check the level of informants' agreement on plant use and healing potential of ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species, respectively. Indigenous knowledge on use of medicinal plants for ethnoveterinary purposes among different informant groups was compared using One-way ANOVA and t-tests. Results: A total of 51 plant species representing 50 genera and 35 botanical families used in the treatment of 33 different ailments were identified. Medicinal plant species belonging to families Asteraceae, Asclepiadaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Ranunculaceae were reported to be of frequent use in the local ethnoveterinary medical system. Roots (65%, 33 species) were most often utilized for remedy preparation. Highest ICF values were recorded for gastro-intestinal (0.71) ailments depicting best agreement on knowledge of medicinal plants used to treat aliments in this category. Embelia schimperi Vatke showed highest fidelity level value (90%) to treat gastro-intestinal diseases showing conformity of knowledge on this species' healing potential. Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in average number of therapeutic plants reported by senior members of the community than younger groups. Embelia schimperi Vatke and Rubus steudnerii Schweinf. were the most-preferred species to treat diarrhoea. Conclusion: The study indicated that indigenous knowledge on ethnoveterinary medicinal plant use is still rich and active in the District. Species with recorded highest consensus for curative role are a useful pool for further phytochemical and pharmacological validation for better utilization. Declining wild medicinal flora of the area calls for implementation of a coordinated complementary in situ and ex situ conservation strategy

Ethnobotanical study of food plants around 'Dheeraa' town, Arsi, Ethiopia

A study aimed at identifying plant species used and manipulated by the community for food was carried out around ‘Dheeraa' town, in Arsi Zone of Oromia National Regional state, Ethiopia. The data were collected through four round fieldworks co nducted from October to December 2003. Random and systematic sampling methods were employed to select the study sites as well as the informants. Ethnobotanical methods using semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data on food plants used by the community. In this study, 71 species of food plants were recorded of which, the local people cultivate 30 species. Wild edible plant species claimed a larger proportion (41 species, 58%) of the total records. Of the edible plants of the study area 16 species used by the community in traditional medicine, are categorized as nutraceuticals. The non-cultivated food plants are very rare in the area and this might be attributed to the ongoing habitat modification and loss of natural vegetation. It is important to create awareness on sustainable use of wild edibles and the cultivated food. On top of the benefits that these food plants offer as part of the local vegetation, their potentials as food sources are worth considering in efforts towards realizing household food self-sufficiency in the study area. SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol. 29(1) 2006: 71–8

Wild edible plants in Ethiopia : a review on their potential to combat food insecurity

This work reviews literature on ethnobotanical knowledge of wild edible plants and their potential role in combating food insecurity in Ethiopia. Information on a total of 413 wild edible plants belonging to 224 genera and 77 families was compiled in this review. Shrubs represented 31% of species followed by trees (30%), herbs (29%) and climbers (9%). Families Fabaceae (35 species), Tiliaceae (20) and Capparidaceae (19) were found to be represented by the highest number of edible species. About 56% (233) of species have edibility reports from more than one community in Ethiopia. Fruits were reported as the commonly utilized edible part in 51% of species. It was found that studies on wild edible plants of Ethiopia cover only about 5% of the country’s districts which indicates the need for more ethnobotanical research addressing all districts. Although there have been some attempts to conduct nutritional analyses of wild edible plants, available results were found to be insignificant when compared to the wild edible plant wealth of the country. Results also show that wild edible plants of Ethiopia are used as supplementary, seasonal or survival food sources in many cultural groups, and hence play a role in combating food insecurity. The presence of anthropogenic and environmental factors affecting the wild plant wealth of the country calls for immediate action so as to effectively document, produce a development plan and utilize the plants