Assessment of indigenous Fodder and Fruit Tree and Shrub Species in zone two of the

Afar Region

Introduction

Woody species provide products such as fuel wood, timber, food, gum, and resin, medicines that
millions of people in developing countries depend on. Woody plant species also provide
important environmental and cultural services, including provision of shade to crops and people,
soil improvement, erosion control and heritage values. However, many woody plant species are
both threatened and declining (Belcher and Schreckenberg, 2007; Rönnbäck et al., 2007; FAO,
2009; Tabuti et al., 2010).

In drylands, the sustainability of traditional animal husbandry is becoming difficult. Therefore,

new methods or approaches are needed to address the increasing pressure on natural resources, to
secure food availability and create alterative income source. One of the emerging new land uses
is agro pastoralism, which has been spreading into purely pastoral areas (Halt, 1989). Farming
could be considered both a response to food insecurity as well as an economic diversification
(Oba, 1998).

Decreasing lowland grazing areas and fodder availability is becoming a problem in both Ethiopia
and elsewhere. Indigenous tree and shrub species have a high potential in sustaining a pastoral
system in need of alternatives to shrinking grazing areas (Inam-ur-Rahim et al., 2011). Hence,
parkland and other agroforestry techniques that involve fruit, fodder, and other economically
important perennial plant species need to be integrated as opportunity and options to back-up
sustainable agriculture and as a means to mitigation of climate change in these areas. The
availability of wild fruits and fodder species on rangelands and around homestead will help in
providing nutritious food and income.

Survey of indigenous fruit trees in other parts of Ethiopia, resulted in many indigenous woody
plant species for domestication with potential to improve dry land agriculture (Teklehaimanot,
2008). However, since the study targeted only fruit trees and since it was conducted at a large-
scale, we hypothesized that area specific prioritization of both fruit and fodder species may result
in a newer set of priority species.
OBJECTIVES

To identify and prioritize fodder and fruit tree species in selected Woredas of zone two of the
Afar region.

To investigate the experiences of the local people in their use of indigenous fruit and fodder trees

Materials and Methods

Study area

The study will be conducted in zone two of the Afar region. Specific werdas (study areas) will be
selected in consultation with each woreda pastoral and agricultural offices.

Identification of important fodder and fruit tree species

As Identification of high priority indigenous fodder and fruit tree species is one of the objectives
of the project continuous group discussions will be conducted with separate groups of women
and men in each selected village. In each village, participants will be asked to list important
indigenous fruit and fodder species. Then, the use of each species as a fodder or fruit or both will
be identified and the marketability of products recorded. Then, each group will be given the task
of rating the species according to their overall contribution to livelihood as very high (5), high
(4), medium (3), low (2) and very low (1). Finally, priority species for planting on their own
fields will be identified and prioritized by the participants.

Then data from each of the group discussions will be organized and analyzed. The total score of
each of the species and the frequency of selection of each species in the villages will be first
determined. Then, the relative score, and the relative frequencies will be calculated as follows.

Relative score (RS) = sum of sources of the selected species in group sousstons x 100%
Total scores of all the species selected

Relative frequency (RF) = number of group discussions in which the species was selected x 100
Total frequency of all the species selected

Then, the importance value of a given species will be computed as the summation of the relative
score and the relative frequency.
Characterization of important fodder tree species

Separate focus group discussion involving key informants, women, men and professionals will
be conducted to describe the palatability of the important fodder species to camel, goat, sheep,
and cattle.

Selection of native woody species for planting in the fields of agro pastoralists

Selection of highly preferred tree species for planting in the fields of pastoralists and agro
pastoralists will be conducted by allowing the participants of group discussions to make well-
thought selections on the species they really want to plant. Accordingly, the most preferred
species will be given 5, and the others will be given 4 to 1, in decreasing order of preference.
Then, calculations on relative score, relative frequency and importance values will be made to
select highly preferred trees for planting following the same procedure as given before.

Expected out put

Indigenous fodder and fruit tree species identified

The experiences of the local people on indigenous fruit and fodder trees investigated

Duration one year

Responsible person all APARC researchers

Implementing agency APARC

Work plan
 Estimated budget required

Data were collected by using structured questionnaire among farmers of the two districts with six
peasant associations (Chiri. Gomgoma and Melka-amana from Dello-menna. and Barisa, Ele-
bidre and Danisa from Meda-welabu). During the interview, the type WEF species in the area
and rank based on their preferences were identified. Preference matrix ranking was used to
generate species priority list of WEFs preferred by the local community. The highest priority
species out of five was assigned 5 points. 4 points to the second highest and the lowest ranked
species was assigned I point. The points for each species were summed across all respondents.
The species were prioritized based on the total points scored.
Finally data were analyzed using SPSS software. Also descriptive statistics was used to identify
the number and percentage of species, genera and families of WEFs. and frequency o f their use.
Identification of species was done both in the field and in office by using taxonomic keys and
flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea as a reference. Also for few WEF species identification were done
at the national herbarium, Addis Ababa University.

Material and methods

The study was done at Armania kebele in Tarma Ber district, northern Shewa Zone of Amhara
Regional State (Fig. 1 ). Elevation of the study area is on average 1981 m a s 1, annual rain fall
ranges from 1500 - 2000 mm annual temperature ranges 11- 25 C°. The study area is found
9°52'59.89" N and 39°49’38"E.
Experimental design
Eight multipurpose tree and shrub spccies were planted in Random Complete Block Design
(RCBD) with three replications. Seeds for this Study were obtained from International Livestock
Research Institute (ILRI).
Tree species
Albizia ckinensis, Desmanthus virgatus, Caliandra houstimian, Genista monspossulana,
Femingia macrophyla, Robinia pseudoacacia, Leitceana diversifolia and Medicago arhoria were
included in this study.
Spacing
The spacing between trees was lm. The spacing between blocks and plots were 3 meters and 2
meters, respectively.
Data collection
Tree height, root collar diameter, survival rate, leaf biomass and nutrient content were the
parameters to evaluate the mulutpurpose species. Soil data such as soil pH. organic content, total
nitrogen, AP. soil texture (sand, silt, clay) content, soil bulk density were also taken and
analyzed.
Data analysis
Descriptive and oilier statistical analysis were carried out using SPSS Version 20. Analysis of
variance was conducted lo see the difference among treatments. Tukey’s Honest Significance
Difference test was used for multiple comparisons when significant differences were found
between treatments. Analysis was done also for mean calculation. All statistical analyses were
carried out using general linear model -univariate.
Demonstration of moringa () Plantation for its multi-purpose use in Arid and
Semi-Arid Area of north Afar

Selection of Different Trees/Shrubs Species for Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands in Abala

woreda

Introduction

Land degradation is the broad term that includes soil erosion degradation (acidification, fertility
depletion, hard-setting), biological degradation (reduction of total biomass and carbon and
decline of biodiversity) and ground water depletion. In Ethiopia, land degradation has become a
serious problem affecting all spheres of social, economic and political life of the population
(Tekle, 1999). It is one of the major challenges to agricultural development and food security of
the country. A large portion of the agricultural land, which is mainly located in the highland parts
of the country, is affected by severe to moderate land degradation (Humi et al., 2010).

Particularly, abaala woreda is extremely affected by land degradation. The leading factors of
land degradation in the region are deforestation, soil erosion, growth of human and livestock
population, overgrazing, and mismanagement of land. As a result land degradation has gone
beyond the limits of reversal, and the problem is expanding at large. Hence, rehabilitation of
degraded ecosystems is a critical tool for protection of the remaining natural resource.
Therefore, restoring degraded lands through afforestation is crucial step to return back the
productive potential of land. However, previous reforestation programs attempting to counteract
the effects of deforestation have failed mainly due to lack of knowledge on site-species matching

Thus, an appropriate tree/shrub species selection for different agro-ecologies is a sound step to
assist the rehabilitation of the degraded lands.

Objectives

To select the best performing trees or/and shrubs species on the degraded lands of the study
area.

To restore the degraded lands

To improve the awareness of pastoralists/agro pastoralists

Materials and methods

Site description

Experimental design and management

Treatments will be laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three
replications. The space between blocks and plots will be 3 m and 2 m, respectively. The size of
the plot will be 12 m X 10 m for lowland. 10 m x 8 m for mid altitude and 6 m X 6 m for the
highland site. The spacing between trees in a plot was 2.5 m x 2 m (lowland), 2 m x 2 m (mid
altitude) and 1.5 m x 2 m (highland).

For the total experimental set up 21 treatments (6 for the lowland, 8 for mid-altitude and 7 for
highland) were used (Table 1). In a plot, 25 trees for lowland. 16 trees for mid-altitude and 12
trees for highland were planted. Water harvesting structures (half-moon), which is recommended
in our mandate area, was constructed following the contours.

Lowland (Abergele)
Moringa stenoptella

Sesbania sesban

Luecaena pallida

Jatropha carcus

Leucaena leucocephala

Acacia albida

Acacia Senegal

Data collected

Growth (Height and Root collar diameter) and survival data were collected every 3 months

interval for 21 months and every 6 months interval since 2 1 -month period up to the end of the

experimentation.

Data analysis

Data were analyzed by using SPSS statistical analytical software version 22 to compare height,

root collar diameter, and survival rate among treatments.

Evaluation and demonstration of Integrated physical and Biological Techniques for

Restoring Degraded rage lands

Back ground and justification

Rangeland degradation implies a reduction in rank or status which includes a loss of top soil, a
change to a simple flora/fauna compositions or a transition from one organic form to lower
organic form, and continues reduction of productivity/biomass of the ecosystem. Degradation
refers to low overall biodiversity, where restoration will require restoring overall biodiversity.

The kala rangeland in Abaala woreda was one of the finest rangelands in northern afar.
However, the rangelands are almost degrading and its productivity is diminishing. Hence,
rehabilitating the degraded land is very crucial to improve the feed resource availability from the
rangelands.

Objectives

 To evaluate the effect of integrated mechanical and biological techniques for restoring
degraded rangeland of the study area.
 To select the best combination of physical and biological technique
 To improve the capacity of pastoralists on rangeland management

Material and Methods

A degraded site will be selected and fenced to prevent livestock trampling and disturbances. Soil
sample will be collected from the experimental site of 20cm2 area by dividing each into three
layer (0-3cm, 3-6cm and 6-9cm) depth. The collected soil will be labeled and settled in the lattice
house at ATARC for evaluation of the availability of natural pastures seed in each layer.
Germination test will be done for the collected seeds. The actual trial will be established at the
commencement of the rain. The experimental treatments will consist of the application of two
grass species (Chloris gayana and Cenchrus ciliaris) and mechanical techniques (plowing and
ripping with and without mulching). The experiment has seven treatments

(Tl =Control (only enclosing),

T2 = Ripping.

T3 = Ripping + Sowing,

T4 = Ripping + Sowing + Mulching,

T5 = Plowing,

T6 = Plowing + Sowing and

T7 = Plowing + Sowing + Mulching) with three replication arranged in RCBD.

The plot size of 10mx10m will be used for the trial. The optimum seeding rate ( l0kg/ha) Will be
applied for both species.

Ripping is slight plowing of the land with simple materials.

The mulch treatment consisted of clipped grass material found locally in the area but without the
seeds of the grass material.

The grass mulch were applied with enough cover of the soil surface in the sown approximately

1 cm thick . The importance of mulch is increasing survival rate, better growth and establishment
of the

seedling resulting from modification of the surface soil microenvironments, such as moisture
content and

soil temperature.

Species composition

Species composition of the treatments was identified using quadrants of (50*50) cm2 five times
per plot

including the control.

Statistical Analysis

Diversity (H'), Evenness (E), and Similarity coefficient (Sc) of the species for all treatment in the

collected quadrants were determined following Shannon-Wiener (1949) diversity indices

procedures.

Shannon Diversity Index (IT) was computed as:

H ’= - Z/=i p iln p i

Where: H’ = Shannon's diversity index

40 ■

Livestock Research Proceeding

pi = the proportion of individuals of the i" species

S = total number of species in the quadrate

The evenness was computed from the Shannon index as:

J = H ' = Y J j - iP i ln p i

H' max Ins

Where: J = Species evenness

s = the number of species

Pi = the proportion of individuals of the i1" species

In = log base 10

Similarity coefficient (Sc) was determined by the Czekanowski (1913 > coefficient. The
coefficient has a

value from 0 (0%) to 1 (100%), where I reveals complete similarity and 0 complete dissimilarity.

Importance value (IV) of each species all treatments was computed follow ing Shabbir and
Bajwa (2006).

IV is equal to the sum of the relative density (RD) and relativ e frequency (RF) of species in the
stand.

IV = RD% + RF%

Sc = 2 min ix L y i)
sr=ixi+Er=iyi

Where: Xi and Yi = the abundance of species

m = number of species

Abundance of each treatment was determined as of Macintosh ( 1967a) diversity index (U).

Where: U = Macintosh diversity index

S = the number of species

n = number of the individuals or abundance of the i" species in the quadrant

The relative density (RD) and relative frequency (CRF) were computed by:

RD% = Absolute density for a given species x 100%

Total absolute density for all species

RF% = Absolute frequency value for a species X 100%

Total absolute frequency for all species

Data on soil seed bank were analyzed by descriptiv e statics.