Abstract

D. Yohannes*, G. Aynalem, C. Ayele

Woody species are the chief components of agroforestry practices. These species composition and diversity vary across the different types of agroforestry practices in Dollo watershed, kamba zuria woreda, Southwestern Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess woody species diversity across different land uses (agroforestry practices) in Dollo watershed, Kamba Zuria Woreda, Southwestern Ethiopia. In each agroforestry niche, a plots of 20 m × 20 m size was drown by using systematic sampling method following the transect line. A total of 20 sample plots were sampled along the transect line laid down inside each agroforestry niches. In each plot, woody species were counted, the diameter and height of trees and shrubs were measured. Shannon, richness, evenness, multiple-site similarity diversity index was used to analysis species diversity of agroforestry practiced. One-way ANOVA was used to compare species diversity significance between agroforestry practiced. A total of 47 woody species belonging to 27 families and 44 genera were identified in the agroforestry practices. Among identified woody species, 20 species were found from home-gardens, 14 from farmland, and 23 from grazing land and 13 from woodlots agroforestry practices. Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Myrtaceae family had the highest number of woody species (4 each), Rubiaceae family had the second highest number of woody species (3 species). The dominantly observed species were Eucalyptus grandis (27.25%) followed and by Coffee arabica (21.38%). Grazing land verified highest species diversity than other agroforestry practices. The multiple-site similarity index shows that 57% species were overlapping between the home-garden, parkland, grazing land and woodlots. The current woody plant species should be well-maintained and should be more diversified than the present status by maintaining these species and planting seedling which can be the farmer preferences and agroforestry species.