On-Farm Tree Species Diversity Management and Their Contribution to Local People’s Livelihoods: The Case Of Damboya District, Kembeta Tembaro Zone, Snnprs, Ethiopia

Abstract

Understanding farmers’ strategies in the management of on-farm tree diversity is vital for the successful implementation of agro forestry development. However, the existing local knowledge on managing trees in agroforestry system has not been sufficiently studied and documented. Therefore, the objectives of the study are to understand farmers’ tree species diversity management and their contribution to local people’s livelihoods. Inventory of woody species was carried out on farms of sampled households. Counting the individuals of each tree species, those trees/shrubs with a minimum1.3 m height from the ground and DBH ≥ 5cm was measured using caliper and diameter tape. Moreover, a total of 32 key informants, used to categorize the village households into three wealth categories using local criteria. Focus group discussions were also held in 4 villages to survey the information collected at household’s survey. A total of 46 woody species were recorded, of which 78% are native species and the remaining 22% are exotics. Planting or retaining of woody species on farm lands depends on farmers’ preference. Accordingly, farmers’ preference for woody species is in the order of: Coffea arabica >Cordia africana >Eucalyptus camaldulensis > Persia americana > Afrocarpus falcatus based on the benefits they provide. The Shannon and Simpson diversity indices and Shannon evenness were high in the homegarden and low in the parklands. In each agroforestry practices the highest IVI were Coffea arabica in homegarden, Cordia africana in parkland, Vernonia amygdalina in farm boundary and Eucalyptus camaldulensis in woodlots respectively. The mean stems density of woody species among agroforestry practices were (4112) per ha, while (776). (5709), (5700) (4263), stems per ha in the home garden, woodlot and farm boundary parkland respectively. There was significant difference in mean tree basal area between poor and rich wealth status (F test, P<0.05). Overall mean basal area of the woody species were per ha is 10.8 m2 Whereas 11.74m2 per ha, 3.2m2 , and 8.6m2,19.7m2 recorded in homegarden, parkland, farm boundary, and woodlot respectively. The highest basal areas of woody species were recorded at rich wealth category followed by medium and poor. Rural farmers depend on the farm trees for fuel wood, construction material, shade purpose, bee keeping, soil fertility amendment, fodder, timber, food, farm tools and medicine. To sustain all these contributions, farmers carried out management practices such as pollarding, copping, pruning, and composting. It is concluded that farmers plant/retain trees on their farm land, to support themselves with various forest products obtained from farm trees, for their local people livelihood improvement. It is necessary that the government recognizes the role that farmers play in biodiversity conservation through planting and managing trees on their farms.