Assessment of the pattern of fuelwood consumption and impacts on woody plant species in the Bale Mountains National Park, southeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

National parks have been principally used for conservation besides their high ecological and economic values. The use and collection of fuelwoods, along with their consumption patterns for energy sources, could potentially impact the biodiversity of the parks. The study, thus aimed to investigate patterns of fuelwood collection and consumption and its impacts on plant biodiversity in Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP). A total of 32 plots (30 m x 30 m) were established along five-line transects to collect the composition of woody species and their DBH. The socio-economic data were collected through a questionnaire from 345 respondents. A total of 7 tree and shrub species were identified in the forest sites of the park. The most abundant and most preferred tree species was Juniperus procera, followed by Hagenia abyssinica. The average annual consumption of household fuelwood was estimated to be 6.14 tons. The household fuelwood consumption was found to be significantly increased with large household size, and livestock size. Similarly, it also increased with elevation and distance from the town. The majority of the wood sellers were females and the main fuelwood source in the study area was the Boditti and Addelle forest sites. The result of the study revealed that the trees in the forest sites of the park showed J-shaped population structures. Hence, unless an alternative source of energy is available and the community understands the long-lasting socio-ecological impact of over-exploitation of native trees and shrubs from the BMNP, disastrous effects will be inevitable.