Abstract:
Parkland agroforestry woody species are prominent features in many landscapes worldwide,
and their ecological, social and economic importance is widely acknowledged. It is strongly
advisable to observe and try to understand how farmers manage their parkland before
proposing any improvement or alternative techniques. This study was conducted to assess the
woody species composition, structure, diversity, biomass carbon, and management practices
in parkland agroforestry by local farmers. The study was conducted in Gindeberet District,
West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Woody species inventory was carried out
on 103 plots (each, 50mx100m) in the crop field laid along 7 transects. A questionnaire was
administered to gather information on farmers’ strategy of managing woody species and it
was analyzed using SPSS version 20 at 5% significance level. For woody species ≥ 5cm
DBH, measurements of DBH and tree height were taken. Woody density, basal area,
diameter and height class distribution were computed to characterize structure of woody
communities. Species diversity and biomass carbon were also determined. Biomass carbon
was estimated using allometric equations. A total of 61 woody species belonging to 35
families were recorded. Of these, 53 woody species were recorded in lowland and 31 woody
species were recorded in midland. The study indicated that the woody species Shannon and
Simpson diversity indices were higher at lowland than midland agro-ecology. The total
woody biomass and the biomass carbon of lowland parkland agroforestry was considerably
higher (38.33Mg/ha) and (19.17MgC/ha) than at midland parkland agroforestry
(20.28Mg/ha) and (10.14MgC/ha), respectively. Farmers retain and/or plant woody species
in their parklands for the purpose of improving soil fertility, fodder, fuel-wood, timber,
shade, construction and others. The management practices employed in the study area
includes branch pruning, lopping, protection, coppicing, watering and fertilizers. Among
socio-economic factors sex, educational background, number of livestock, land holding size
and wealthy status, exert a significant positive influence on the management of woody
species. These woody species need a series of management to save and sustain for the future
to overcome the socio-economic and environmental problems.
