ABSTRACT The vegetation of the plateaux of the Gerire Hills, of unique geology, represents an out... more ABSTRACT The vegetation of the plateaux of the Gerire Hills, of unique geology, represents an outlier of the Transitional semi-evergreen bushland of the eastern escarpment of the Ethiopian highlands, about 160 km from continuously distributed vegetation of this type. In the lowland surrounding the hills is deciduous Acacia-Commiphora bushland, typical of the Somalia-Masai region. Unpublished data from a 1937 Italian expedition documents past existence of Juniperus procera on the plateaux. Three new narrowly endemic species are described here from recently collected material: Croton elkerensis Friis & M.G. Gilbert (Euphorbiaceae), Gnidia elkerensis Friis & Sebsebe (Thymelaeaceae), and Plectranthus spananthus A.J. Paton, Friis & Sebsebe (Lamiaceae). Three previously described species from the hills, Blepharispermum obovatum Chiov. (Asteraceae), Aloe elkerriana Dioli & T.A.McCoy (Aloaceae) and Euphorbia bertemariae Bisseret & Dioli (Euphorbiaceae), are narrow endemics. The species most similar to the bushland endemics occur in a range of vegetation types and phytochoria in East Africa south of Ethiopia or more widespread in Africa. The species most similar to the succulent endemics occur elsewhere in semi-evergreen bushland on limestone at the mountain range in northern Somalia. The Gerire Hills endemics are considered Vulnerable (VU) or Least Concern (LC) given the differing threats to their respective habitats.
Species composition, structure, regeneration, and management status of Jorgo-Wato Forest (JWF) wa... more Species composition, structure, regeneration, and management status of Jorgo-Wato Forest (JWF) was studied. Number of individuals, diameter at breast height (dbh) and height of woody species (dbh ≥ 2.5 cm) were counted and measured in each plot. Group discussions with local farmers residing around JWF were carried out to understand the management of the JWF. Forest structural attributes were computed using descriptive statistics; correlation was used to assess relationships between the structural variables. A total of 4313 individuals (dbh ≥ 2.5 cm) with a density of 1477 ha−1 were recorded, the number of species and individuals decreasing with increasing dbh classes. Species with the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) were Pouteria adolfi-friedericii (37.7), Syzygium guineense subsp. afromontanum (23.6), Dracaena afromontana (20.5), Chionanthus mildbraedii (15.9), and Croton macrostachyus (12.3). Overall distribution of woody plants across size classes exhibited a reverse J-pattern, suggesting a healthy population structure and good regeneration. Nevertheless, some species were not represented in smaller diameter classes, including juvenile phases, which indicate a lack of regeneration. For these species, monitoring and enrichment planting would be necessary, along with curbing illegal cutting and coffee farming in the natural forest. Management interventions in the JWF need to consider livelihood options and to respect the rights of local communities
In Ethiopia, wild edible plants (WEPs) offer a natural food supply for humans to alleviate food i... more In Ethiopia, wild edible plants (WEPs) offer a natural food supply for humans to alleviate food insecurity and hunger. Despite the extensive usage of WEPs in Ethiopia, there have been few investigations on their nutritional composition. Our study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-nutritional factors of the most commonly consumed WEPs in Northeastern Ethiopia. The antioxidant parameters including total phenol, total flavonoid, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay contents and the anti-nutritional parameters including oxalate, phytate and tannin contents of the selected seven WEPs were evaluated using standard food analysis techniques. The total phenol (mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid (mg QE/100 g) content of WEPs resulted in ranges of 0.79–17.02 and 2.27–7.12, respectively. The antioxidant activity revealed that leaves of Amaranthus hybridus and Rumex nervosus have the highest DPPH and FRAP value, scavenging 50% of free ra...
Wild edible plants (WEPs) are the natural food source that can help to mitigate food insecurity a... more Wild edible plants (WEPs) are the natural food source that can help to mitigate food insecurity and improve starvation in low income countries including Ethiopia. Despite the widespread use of WEPs in Ethiopia, studies on the nutritional contents of Ethiopian WEPs are limited. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the nutritional value (proximate, mineral, and vitamin C contents) of the most consumed seven wild edible plants collected from Lasta District, Northeastern Ethiopia. The nutritional parameters including proximate, macro and micronutrients, and also vitamin C contents of the selected seven wild edible plants were evaluated using standard food analysis methods (moisture by dry-oven method, ash by high-temperature incineration in an electric muffle furnace, fat by Soxhlet extraction procedure, protein by Kjeldahl process, minerals by Atomic absorption spectrometer and atomic emission spectrometry and vitamin C by using a spectrophotometer). One-way ANOVA was used...
Protected areas are the most commonly used tool for in situ conservation of biodiversity. Selecti... more Protected areas are the most commonly used tool for in situ conservation of biodiversity. Selective removal of species proposed by the local communities living surrounding the national park and grazing pressure negatively affect the composition, structure, and regeneration of woody species. Assessment of vegetation structure and regeneration status of woody species is essential for orienting management activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the floristic composition, population structure, and regeneration status of woody species in the Loka Abaya National Park, to design conservation strategies. A total of 99, 20 m × 20 m quadrats were systematically laid along an established line transect to collect a list of woody species, abundance, height, and diameter at breast height (DBH), while five 3 m × 3 m subquadrats within the main quadrats were established to assess the regeneration status of woody species. In each quadrat, all woody species were identified, counted, ...
The study was conducted at Anbessa forest in Western Ethiopia with the objectives to make an asse... more The study was conducted at Anbessa forest in Western Ethiopia with the objectives to make an assessment of plant diversity and plant community. A systematic sampling technique was used and a total of 30 sample plots each with 20 x 20 m were laid along the altitudinal gradient. A total of 118 plant species were identified which belong to 93 genera in 46 families. Out of which 14.41 % were Fabaceae (17 species), followed by Asteraceae 11.86 % (14 species), Poaceae 8.47 % (10 species) and Lamiaceae 5.93 % (seven species). Out of the 118 identified plant species, 33.05 % were trees, 11.86 % shrubs, 11.86 % climbers and the rest 43.22 % were herbs. The present study reported nine endemic plant species are present in Anbessa forest. Moreover, 29 plant species were recorded as new records for Wellega floristic region from Anbessa forest. Four plant communities were identified. In Anbessa forest Combretum collinum - Dombeya quinqueseta -Securidaca longepedunculata community was the most div...
BackgroundMany Ethiopians have practiced and still practice home-based medications using various ... more BackgroundMany Ethiopians have practiced and still practice home-based medications using various medicinal plants. This research was aimed to study the composition, distribution, and usage and conservation status of medicinal plants in the Nole Kaba District. MethodsData were gathered through semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and field observations. The analysis employed descriptive statistics and quantitative indices including Factor of Informant Consensus (Fic), Fidelity Level (FL), and Sorenson’s Similarity.ResultsOne hundred sixty-two medicinal plants that belong to 65 families, and 135 genera were documented for use in the treatment of 45 human and 31 animal health problems. The growth forms that comprise high proportions of the medicinal flora were herbs (76, 46.9%) and shrubs (45, 27.8%). Most of the species were distributed in forests and farmlands. Ehretia cymosa (FL = 100%), Pentas schimperiana (FL = 100%), Buddleja polystachya (FL = 100%) Schefflera abyssinic...
Background: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted between October 2013 and Se... more Background: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted between October 2013 and September 2014 in Tulu Korma and its surrounding areas of Ejere District, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to document medicinal plant species of the area and associated ethnobotanical knowledge. Methods: Common ethnobotanical methodologies and techniques were applied. About 156 informants were interviewed. The informants were selected from five visually established sites for sampling. Results: About 138 medicinal plant species belonging to 107 genera and 56 families were recorded. About 76(55.07%) of the medicinal plants were used to treat human aliments, 9(6.52%) animal aliments and 53(38.44%) for both. Conclusion: The study area is very rich in medicinal plant species and indigenous traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. There are also potential threats that need priority for conservation. Potentially significant plant species need screen...
BackgroundPeople’s classification, management, and use of plants represent attempt to attracting ... more BackgroundPeople’s classification, management, and use of plants represent attempt to attracting people from different academic disciplines. Many countries use traditional medicine for their primary healthcare system. Medicinal plants have been important components of healthcare systems since the time immemorial. The objective of this research was to document and analyze traditional medicinal plants used by the Sheka people and associated ethnobotanical knowledge.MethodsData was collected by administering pre-prepared semi-structured interview items to 414 informants. Market surveys, group discussion, and guided field walk were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; determination of informant consensus factor, fidelity level, as well as ranking and scoring.ResultsA total of 266 plant species belonging to 192 genera and 74 families were identified. About 204 (77%) of the medicinal plants were used to treat human health problems. Only ten (4%) were used...
This research was aimed to investigate floristic composition and structure of Kelekal protected f... more This research was aimed to investigate floristic composition and structure of Kelekal protected forest established since 1999. For plant data collection, 33 different quadrnts having 400 m2 along seven different line transect were used. The structural data like Frequencies, Density, DBH, Hight, Relative dominance, Relative density and IVI values were calculated for each species and for the selectedwoody plants. The woody plant species having DBH?2.5 cm and height greater than 2.5 m were measured. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to classify different plant communities. Shannon winner diversity indices and Sorensen’s similarity indices were used to compare the identified plant communities. Endemic and economically important plants were identified from Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea books. This research resulted 103 different vascular plants. Eight (7.77%) plants are endemic and the “K” partitioning in the R program using hierarchical cluster analysis resulted three-plant ...
ABSTRACT The vegetation of the plateaux of the Gerire Hills, of unique geology, represents an out... more ABSTRACT The vegetation of the plateaux of the Gerire Hills, of unique geology, represents an outlier of the Transitional semi-evergreen bushland of the eastern escarpment of the Ethiopian highlands, about 160 km from continuously distributed vegetation of this type. In the lowland surrounding the hills is deciduous Acacia-Commiphora bushland, typical of the Somalia-Masai region. Unpublished data from a 1937 Italian expedition documents past existence of Juniperus procera on the plateaux. Three new narrowly endemic species are described here from recently collected material: Croton elkerensis Friis & M.G. Gilbert (Euphorbiaceae), Gnidia elkerensis Friis & Sebsebe (Thymelaeaceae), and Plectranthus spananthus A.J. Paton, Friis & Sebsebe (Lamiaceae). Three previously described species from the hills, Blepharispermum obovatum Chiov. (Asteraceae), Aloe elkerriana Dioli & T.A.McCoy (Aloaceae) and Euphorbia bertemariae Bisseret & Dioli (Euphorbiaceae), are narrow endemics. The species most similar to the bushland endemics occur in a range of vegetation types and phytochoria in East Africa south of Ethiopia or more widespread in Africa. The species most similar to the succulent endemics occur elsewhere in semi-evergreen bushland on limestone at the mountain range in northern Somalia. The Gerire Hills endemics are considered Vulnerable (VU) or Least Concern (LC) given the differing threats to their respective habitats.
Species composition, structure, regeneration, and management status of Jorgo-Wato Forest (JWF) wa... more Species composition, structure, regeneration, and management status of Jorgo-Wato Forest (JWF) was studied. Number of individuals, diameter at breast height (dbh) and height of woody species (dbh ≥ 2.5 cm) were counted and measured in each plot. Group discussions with local farmers residing around JWF were carried out to understand the management of the JWF. Forest structural attributes were computed using descriptive statistics; correlation was used to assess relationships between the structural variables. A total of 4313 individuals (dbh ≥ 2.5 cm) with a density of 1477 ha−1 were recorded, the number of species and individuals decreasing with increasing dbh classes. Species with the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) were Pouteria adolfi-friedericii (37.7), Syzygium guineense subsp. afromontanum (23.6), Dracaena afromontana (20.5), Chionanthus mildbraedii (15.9), and Croton macrostachyus (12.3). Overall distribution of woody plants across size classes exhibited a reverse J-pattern, suggesting a healthy population structure and good regeneration. Nevertheless, some species were not represented in smaller diameter classes, including juvenile phases, which indicate a lack of regeneration. For these species, monitoring and enrichment planting would be necessary, along with curbing illegal cutting and coffee farming in the natural forest. Management interventions in the JWF need to consider livelihood options and to respect the rights of local communities
In Ethiopia, wild edible plants (WEPs) offer a natural food supply for humans to alleviate food i... more In Ethiopia, wild edible plants (WEPs) offer a natural food supply for humans to alleviate food insecurity and hunger. Despite the extensive usage of WEPs in Ethiopia, there have been few investigations on their nutritional composition. Our study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-nutritional factors of the most commonly consumed WEPs in Northeastern Ethiopia. The antioxidant parameters including total phenol, total flavonoid, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay contents and the anti-nutritional parameters including oxalate, phytate and tannin contents of the selected seven WEPs were evaluated using standard food analysis techniques. The total phenol (mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid (mg QE/100 g) content of WEPs resulted in ranges of 0.79–17.02 and 2.27–7.12, respectively. The antioxidant activity revealed that leaves of Amaranthus hybridus and Rumex nervosus have the highest DPPH and FRAP value, scavenging 50% of free ra...
Wild edible plants (WEPs) are the natural food source that can help to mitigate food insecurity a... more Wild edible plants (WEPs) are the natural food source that can help to mitigate food insecurity and improve starvation in low income countries including Ethiopia. Despite the widespread use of WEPs in Ethiopia, studies on the nutritional contents of Ethiopian WEPs are limited. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the nutritional value (proximate, mineral, and vitamin C contents) of the most consumed seven wild edible plants collected from Lasta District, Northeastern Ethiopia. The nutritional parameters including proximate, macro and micronutrients, and also vitamin C contents of the selected seven wild edible plants were evaluated using standard food analysis methods (moisture by dry-oven method, ash by high-temperature incineration in an electric muffle furnace, fat by Soxhlet extraction procedure, protein by Kjeldahl process, minerals by Atomic absorption spectrometer and atomic emission spectrometry and vitamin C by using a spectrophotometer). One-way ANOVA was used...
Protected areas are the most commonly used tool for in situ conservation of biodiversity. Selecti... more Protected areas are the most commonly used tool for in situ conservation of biodiversity. Selective removal of species proposed by the local communities living surrounding the national park and grazing pressure negatively affect the composition, structure, and regeneration of woody species. Assessment of vegetation structure and regeneration status of woody species is essential for orienting management activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the floristic composition, population structure, and regeneration status of woody species in the Loka Abaya National Park, to design conservation strategies. A total of 99, 20 m × 20 m quadrats were systematically laid along an established line transect to collect a list of woody species, abundance, height, and diameter at breast height (DBH), while five 3 m × 3 m subquadrats within the main quadrats were established to assess the regeneration status of woody species. In each quadrat, all woody species were identified, counted, ...
The study was conducted at Anbessa forest in Western Ethiopia with the objectives to make an asse... more The study was conducted at Anbessa forest in Western Ethiopia with the objectives to make an assessment of plant diversity and plant community. A systematic sampling technique was used and a total of 30 sample plots each with 20 x 20 m were laid along the altitudinal gradient. A total of 118 plant species were identified which belong to 93 genera in 46 families. Out of which 14.41 % were Fabaceae (17 species), followed by Asteraceae 11.86 % (14 species), Poaceae 8.47 % (10 species) and Lamiaceae 5.93 % (seven species). Out of the 118 identified plant species, 33.05 % were trees, 11.86 % shrubs, 11.86 % climbers and the rest 43.22 % were herbs. The present study reported nine endemic plant species are present in Anbessa forest. Moreover, 29 plant species were recorded as new records for Wellega floristic region from Anbessa forest. Four plant communities were identified. In Anbessa forest Combretum collinum - Dombeya quinqueseta -Securidaca longepedunculata community was the most div...
BackgroundMany Ethiopians have practiced and still practice home-based medications using various ... more BackgroundMany Ethiopians have practiced and still practice home-based medications using various medicinal plants. This research was aimed to study the composition, distribution, and usage and conservation status of medicinal plants in the Nole Kaba District. MethodsData were gathered through semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and field observations. The analysis employed descriptive statistics and quantitative indices including Factor of Informant Consensus (Fic), Fidelity Level (FL), and Sorenson’s Similarity.ResultsOne hundred sixty-two medicinal plants that belong to 65 families, and 135 genera were documented for use in the treatment of 45 human and 31 animal health problems. The growth forms that comprise high proportions of the medicinal flora were herbs (76, 46.9%) and shrubs (45, 27.8%). Most of the species were distributed in forests and farmlands. Ehretia cymosa (FL = 100%), Pentas schimperiana (FL = 100%), Buddleja polystachya (FL = 100%) Schefflera abyssinic...
Background: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted between October 2013 and Se... more Background: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted between October 2013 and September 2014 in Tulu Korma and its surrounding areas of Ejere District, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to document medicinal plant species of the area and associated ethnobotanical knowledge. Methods: Common ethnobotanical methodologies and techniques were applied. About 156 informants were interviewed. The informants were selected from five visually established sites for sampling. Results: About 138 medicinal plant species belonging to 107 genera and 56 families were recorded. About 76(55.07%) of the medicinal plants were used to treat human aliments, 9(6.52%) animal aliments and 53(38.44%) for both. Conclusion: The study area is very rich in medicinal plant species and indigenous traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. There are also potential threats that need priority for conservation. Potentially significant plant species need screen...
BackgroundPeople’s classification, management, and use of plants represent attempt to attracting ... more BackgroundPeople’s classification, management, and use of plants represent attempt to attracting people from different academic disciplines. Many countries use traditional medicine for their primary healthcare system. Medicinal plants have been important components of healthcare systems since the time immemorial. The objective of this research was to document and analyze traditional medicinal plants used by the Sheka people and associated ethnobotanical knowledge.MethodsData was collected by administering pre-prepared semi-structured interview items to 414 informants. Market surveys, group discussion, and guided field walk were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; determination of informant consensus factor, fidelity level, as well as ranking and scoring.ResultsA total of 266 plant species belonging to 192 genera and 74 families were identified. About 204 (77%) of the medicinal plants were used to treat human health problems. Only ten (4%) were used...
This research was aimed to investigate floristic composition and structure of Kelekal protected f... more This research was aimed to investigate floristic composition and structure of Kelekal protected forest established since 1999. For plant data collection, 33 different quadrnts having 400 m2 along seven different line transect were used. The structural data like Frequencies, Density, DBH, Hight, Relative dominance, Relative density and IVI values were calculated for each species and for the selectedwoody plants. The woody plant species having DBH?2.5 cm and height greater than 2.5 m were measured. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to classify different plant communities. Shannon winner diversity indices and Sorensen’s similarity indices were used to compare the identified plant communities. Endemic and economically important plants were identified from Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea books. This research resulted 103 different vascular plants. Eight (7.77%) plants are endemic and the “K” partitioning in the R program using hierarchical cluster analysis resulted three-plant ...
Uploads
Papers