TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL PRACTICES OF FOREST GOVERNANCE, REPERCUSSION TO BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION OF SODHE FOREST, DERAMALO WOREDA, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

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.