Abstract:
Forest management problems are currently serious issues in Ethiopia and other countries. The
degradation of these forest resources has resulted in high concentration of GHG in the atmosphere
leading to global warming. The objective of this study was to assess traditional ecological
management practices and its contribution towards biodiversity conservation and climate change
mitigation. The study was conducted in Sodhe forest, Daramallo Woreda, South Ethiopia. To meet
the objectives field observation and survey methods were employed. The forest site altitude ranges
from 2490 to 2805m a.s.l. In this study, carbon stock estimation study Plots were designed as
10m*10m, 5m*5m, 2m*2m, and 1m*1m to measure trees with DBH > 10cm,DBH >5-10cm
,DBH2.5-5, shrub and undergrowth LHGs and SOC sampling respectively. Soil organic carbon
and bulk density sampling was done at four corners of 10m*10m main plots and at the center from
the 1m*1m depth 10cm, 20cm and 30cm by using auger. For socioeconomic and traditional
ecological knowledge assessment a systematic sampling method was used by sampling 32 HHs and
32 nested plots using global positioning system (GPS). Field data analysis has resulted in estimated
total mean carbon stock of Sodhe traditional forest to be 393.63t.h
-1
which is equivalent to 1444.6
t.h
-1
of CO
2 equivalent. The total amount of CO
2
sequestered by the traditionally managed Sodhe
forest is estimated at present was 98234.16 tones. Out of these the soil carbon accumulation was
found to be the highest (264.29t.h
-1
)
. Socio-cultural assessment revealed the importance of cultural,
spiritual, and economic value of traditional forest governance acceptability by local people. The
strong support by government administration has significantly supported the existing traditional
effort of conservation). However, more than half of the respondents (65.6%) revealed the status of
the forest as stable. This could be attributed to the presence of strong relationship of the forest with
community and perception of strong traditional governance system. Therefore, the empowerment,
valorization and recognition of the traditional ecological conservation efforts by local government
institutions has to be strengthened so that the sustainable use of the forest resource could be
insured.
