Diversity, Regeneration, Structure and Uses of Some Woody Species in Borana Forests of Southern Ethiopia: The Case of Yaballo and Arero Forests

Studies on diversity, regeneration, structural and uses of some woody species in the Borana Forests, one of the Afromontane forests of Ethiopia, were made. In order to gather vegetation and environmental data from the study forest, a 900 m2 (30 m x 30 m) quadrat was laid following the homogeneity of vegetation. Investigation of the seedling density and regeneration of target species has been carried out using the same quadrat size, 30 m x 30 m. 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 thick were considered as sapling and counted. Interview was conducted for the investigation of the various pressures exerted on different species. A total of 355 plant species belonging to 78 families and three divisions were recorded from the Borana Forests. Of these 2 were gymnosperms and 9 were pteridophyta, while the remaining were angiosperms. Structural and regeneration studies of some woody species indicated that there are species that require urgent conservation measures. To provide a better management and monitoring as well as to maintain the biodiversity, cultural and economic values of the forest unsustainable utility of the forest would be controlled with the various conservation activities in place. Keywords: Arero Forest, Borana Forests, Endemism, Regeneration, Structure, Yaballo Fores

The Practice of Student Assessment: The Case of College of Natural Science, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

This study attempted to assess the practice of student assessment in the College of Natural Science of Addis Ababa University, specifically aimed at investigating whether or not science instructors are well aware of test blue-print, general principles of evaluation and rule of test construction as anticipated in the new education and training policy as well as examining assessment methods, criteria, techniques employed and challenges of science instructors in conducting assessment of their courses. Forty-five participants were drawn through multistage sampling techniques. A descriptive survey design was employed and data were gathered from participants through both close-ended and open-ended questionnaire. Quantitative data were interoperated as percentage and qualitative data were analyzed using verbal interpretation. The result of the study indicated that the majority of the science instructors do not have clear conception of test blue print, the general principles of evaluation, specific rules of test item construction and item analysis procedures. Finally, the study recommends that the college instructors need to be reoriented with why and how to apply various alternative assessments, the general principles of evaluation, the specific rules of test item construction, how and why to prepare a table of specification, why and how to conduct item-analysis, and the use to be made of evaluation results. Key words: Assessment practice, test blue print, test item constructio

In Vitro Propagation of Satureja Abyssinica (Benth.) Briq. – A Valuable Medicinal Plant

Satureja abyssinica is an endangered medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to develop micropropagation protocol for S. abyssinica using shoot tips. Cultures were initiated on MS media containing various concentrations of BAP (6-benzyl amino purine) and KIN (Kinetin). The best culture initiation (100%) with 16.30±0.95 mean number of shoot was attained in the presence of 1.5 mg/l BAP. In shoot multiplication media, different concentrations and combinations of BAP, KIN and NAA (α-Naphthalene acetic acid) were used. Maximum number of shoot (20.53±2.59) was obtained on MS medium fortified with 1.25 mg/l KIN. The greatest shoot height (3.41±0.36) was achieved in the presence of 0.5 mg/l BAP. The highest induction (100%) and maximum mean number of root (25.80±2.19) was performed on ½ MS medium augmented with 2.0 mg/l IBA (Indole-3- butyric acid). Best root length (1.98±0.09) was obtained on medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l IBA. On rooting media, best mean number of shoot (5.46±0.79) and shoot length (5.80±0.69 cm) were received on medium containing 0.2 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l IAA respectively. Highest survival rate (96%) of plantlets was achieved during acclimatization. The present study is point out a great micropropagation protocol for this medicinally important taxon. Keywords: Medicinal plant, Micropropagation, Satureja abyssinica, Shoot tip

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

Restoration Trajectories in Forest Ecosystems with special reference to Ethiopian Forest

This review article is about Restoration Trajectories in Forest Ecosystems with special reference to Ethiopian Forest. Restoration attempts to return an ecosystem to its historic trajectory. It has time scale but interventions can accelerate the process. There is billions of land world-wide which could be dedicated for restoration. Ethiopian landscape has been degraded severely and concerted efforts are being made to reverse the degradation. Ethiopia made commitment to restore 22 million hectares during the UN Summit in September 2014. However, we need to understand the dynamics and factors influencing restoration and its process; otherwise we believe the existing church forests in the northern and central Ethiopia can serve as reference for restoration. Due to climate change, long time degradation and desertification effects achieving the pristine forest stage might not be possible. But at least creating similar forest community as that of the existing forests might be achievable. Experiences of Korea and Costa Rica can be cited as best practices. Keywords: Restoration, Forest, Ethiopia, church fores

Invasive and Exotic Species in the Restoration of Stochastic Agricultural Lands in Ethiopia

Feeding inexorably increasing population is among the challenges confronting mankind. Marginal lands including mountainous and sloppy areas have been converted to agricultural land. The highland parts of Ethiopia (43% of the country’s total size) have been highly degraded. About 4 % had reached a point of no return. This has diminished food crop production capacity of the country. In addition, there is not extra marginal or forest lands to be converted to farmland as before. Hence, restoration of agricultural land is an urgent matter. Restoration increases agricultural system stability. Restoration can be done in various ways such as area closure (in areas with relatively large landholding size), erosion protection using physical structure and restoration using tree planting or combination of two or more of the interventions. But rural Ethiopia cannot afford to put land aside for restoration due to scarcity of farmland. A key question, then, is how to successfully and quickly restore the degraded landscapes in the country. This review work, therefore, analyzes the merit and demerit of exotic and invasive plant species in the restoration of agricultural land in Ethiopia.  Most Exotic species in Ethiopia are providing various socio-economic services. On the other hand, few are highly competitive and deny resources for native trees as well as for crops. Some of these invasive species have allelopathic characteristics and ooze inhibiting chemicals. They quickly colonize the area and deny the space for crops. The invasive species also lower the water table and also adversely affect the livestock sector however that agriculture and livestock sectors are complementary activities in Ethiopia. Absence of well-developed management techniques exacerbated the downside of invasive species. Many studies invigorate adverse impact of invasive species. The invasive plants use the opportunity of high disturbance of agricultural lands to outcompete with crops or co-existing native flora. Unless it is the last option using invasive species for restoration of agricultural land is not recommended. Regarding the exotic species such as Eucalyptus spp, Cuppressus lustanica, Gravillia robusta, Pinus radiata, there is mixed evidence on their role on restoration of agricultural land. The widely held negativity view of exotic plant species seems not right. The performance of exotic trees on the restoration of agricultural land varies from species to species. Some leguminous exotic species has a positive role in increasing soil nitrogen, moisture content, total SOC, physical property of soil, etc. Few such as eucalyptuses have over competing with crops and with co-existing native flora for the available water, nutrients, light, etc. Species such as Cuppressus lustanica has very high evapo-transpiration during wet season and suppress the growth of understory.  As compared to the native trees exotic species have less efficiency on the restoration of agricultural lands. This does not mean that all native plants have good performance than exotic plants. In general, before embarking to agricultural land restoration species selection that exactly fits the required purpose must be done. Keywords: Restoration, invasive species, Exotic, Agricultural lan

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

Forest Carbon Stock in Woody Plants of Ades Forest, Western Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia and its Variation along Environmental Factors: Implication for Climate Change Mitigation

Forests play an important role in the global carbon cycle. They are not only having a significant impact on climate change, but also influence it. Through their destruction, forests can be serious sources of greenhouse gases and through their sustainable management they can be important sinks of the same gases. The study was accompanied to estimate the carbon stock and its variation along environmental gradient. The general objective of this study is to determine the carbon sequestration potential of Ades forest and indicating its contribution to climate change mitigation. Sample plots were laid along line transects based on altitudinal variation of the study area. A randomly sampling plot (10 m x 20 m) in each site was established. The procedures were based on data collection and analysis of carbon accumulating in different carbon pools. The forest was arranged in classes based on different criteria in order to use appropriate methods for estimation of forest biomass. The mean total carbon stock density of Ades forest was found to be 585.40ton/ha which is ranged about 97.54to5919.52 ton/ha, of which 259.17 ton/ha, 52.20 ton/ha, 2.34 ton /ha and 271.69 ton/ ha comprised by above the ground biomass, below the ground biomass, litter carbon and soil organic carbon respectively. Altitude, aspect and slop gradients are such a factors that affect the carbon stock potential in above ground biomass, below ground biomass, litter biomass and soil organic carbon. The middle altitudinal zone of the study site had better carbon stock potential than the rest classes due to the presence of high DBH class of individuals’ and suitable environmental condition whereas the carbon stock of AGC, BGC.LC and SOC showed an increasing trend with increasing slop. The total carbon stock value have direct relationship with altitude and slope, it increases with increasing slope and altitude. The amount of total carbon stock was higher on the southern aspect as compared to other aspects. The current study shows that carbon stock value of Ades forest was highly affected by environmental factors such as altitude, slope and aspects, but aspect was the only factor that showed significance difference in carbon stocks of the forest and this condition concluded that the forest should be conserved and managed for further carbon reservoirs. Keywords: Ades forest, biomass, carbon stock, environmental factors, global climate chang

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

Structure, Species Composition and Status of Naturally Regenerated Woody Species in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (Myrtaceae) Plantation at Entoto Mountain, Ethiopia

This study was carried out at Entoto Mountain Eucalyptus plantation; about 10 km north of the center of Addis Ababa, to assess the composition, structure and the status of naturally regenerated woody species in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantation. Sixty plots of 400 m 2 (20 m X 20 m) size were established along a transect lines at every 300 m distance between them. Transects were laid in north–south directions at 500 m distance from each other. Seedlings were colleted from five sub-plots (4 m 2) within each major plot. A total of 41 naturally regenerated woody species (NRWS) were recorded in Entoto E. globulus plantation. They represented 33 genera and 25 families. Density of NRWS greater than 2.5 cm DBH was 932.1ha-1. With increase in diameter class, the number of NRWS decreased in the E. globulus plantation. About 87% of the individuals had DBH of first DBH class (2.6-7.5 cm). Density ratio of individuals >10 cm DBH to that of individuals >20 cm DBH showed the predominance of small-sized individuals; this is the result of the recent regeneration. The ratio of stems per species is very high in the lower storey (63.9) also showed the predominance of shorter high individuals. J. procera (98.3%) was the most frequent NRWS and had an overriding dominance in terms of basal area (95.16%) and IVI values (81.8%). This result may indicate that J. procera is eco-friendly and competent with E. globulus. Therefore, E. globulus may not have a negative effect on J. procera. Thus, in degraded high rainfall areas, E. globulus plantations may play a role in fostering the regeneration of woody species such as J. procera. Species were prioritized for conservation using important value index, population structure and regeneration status as criteria. Keywords: Entoto, Eucalyptus globulus, naturally regenerated woody species, Plantatio