AN INVESTIGATION OF WOODY SPECIES CONTRIBUTION FOR AGROFORESTERY AND COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICE IN MISRAK MESKAN DISTRICT OF MISRAK GURAGE ZONE CENTRAL ETHIOPIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Woody species conservation is an issue of scientific, economic and ecological concern at global level.Woody species play many functions and make a real contribution to farmland” “protection, making them essential parts of an agroforestry system.Farmland plays significant” “role in the woody species conservation. The study was conducted to An Investigation of” “Woody Species Contribution For Agroforestery And Community Management Practice In” “Misrak Meskan District Of Misrak Gurage Zone Central Ethiopia Regional State,” “Ethiopia.Using systematic sampling techniques were representative kebele were selected” “from district . Four kebele and a total of 400 households were included in the study. Data on” “woody species were collected using a line transect across 60 plots, each measuring 40m ×” “40 m, spaced at 100 m intervals on farmland. For all woody species ≥5 cm, the diameter at” “breast height (DBH) was measured. Key materics such as important value index, density,” “dominance, and frequency were computed and analyzed. A total of 20 families and 33 woody” “species were identified and documented.The average basal area of woody species on” “farmland in study area was 0.55 m2. Farmers preferred woody species that provided for fuel” “wood, timber, shade and construction materias, with Fiaderbia albida the most favored,” “followed by Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia abyssinica. The common management” “practices include coppicing and Lopping. Socioeconomic aspects like the size of the farm,” “educational background, and wealth status influenced the management of woody species on” “farmland.With 6 species, the Fabaceae family was the most represented. Fiaderbia albida., Eucalyptus camadulensis., Acacia abyssinica., Balanites aegyptiaca., and Cordia Africana.” “were the most common species, occurring in 85%, 80%, 76%, 68.33%, and 65% of the farms” “that were sampled.Overall, the study demonstrated that an agroforestry system is essential to” “the preservation of woody species.While farmers employ traditional management practice for” “wood species on their farmland,these practices required better support and extention service” “to address existing challenges.” “