Management and the influence of socioeconomic factors on tree species diversity in traditional agroforestry practices in Demba Goffa District, South Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was designed to provide a baseline data on status of woody species diversity, local knowledge in use and the influence of socioeconomic factors. Interview and discussion with key informants and formal survey with structured questionnaires were employed to collect primary data. The assessment of tree species richness was done by inventorying trees at the sampled plots of the different agroforestry practices within three social classes. Secondary data were collected from various sources. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 13.0 computer program. The result indicated that most farmers preferred planting trees around homesteads, woodlots and boundaries. The type of trees planted were those meant for fuel wood, construction and improvement of soil. Wealthy farmers maintained more number of trees than medium. The highest proportion of tree stems/ha was found in boundary plantation followed by woodlots. Terminalia brownii, Moringa stenopetala, Eucalyptus species and Cordia africana were widely maintained. Tree species richness was significantly correlated to farm size. Smaller farm size and limitation of knowledge were the major constraints to manage tree species. It can be concluded that local knowledge in use, wealth status, experiences, resources and needs of farmers were must to be considered to promote agroforestry technologies.  Key words: Constraint, management practices, socioeconomic factors, tree species, wealth status.