Abstract:
The study was conducted to investigate the Ethnobotanical Study and Conservation Status of Medicinal Plants in and around Yayo forest. The purpose of the study was to document and analyze information on the use, conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants. Data collection was accomplished through active participation of healers and familiar elders who practice traditional medicine locally. A variety of Ethnobotanical techniques were used to collect the data: semistructured interview, field observation and group discussion. Data were analyzed quantitatively and by Microsoft office excels. A total of sixty nine (69) plant specimens belonging to thirty four (34) families and sixty one (61) genera were documented and identified both in the field and the National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University. From the total documented medicinal plant species, about 42.63% are used to treat human ailments while 36% are used to treat livestock ailments and 22.27% are used to treat both livestock and humans. Among the documented families, family Fabaceae had the highest species richness followed by Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Moraceae, and Poaceae. To protect and conserve this forest, appropriate management strategy and awareness creation is very crucial. As it was recommended, some cultural believes and traditional practices associated with traditional medicines were found to be contributed much for the conservation of medicinal plants in the study area.
