Tree Species Diversity in Parkland Agroforestry Practices; the Case of Tambaro District, Kembata Tambaro Zone, Southern-Ethiopia

Parkland agroforestry tree species are prominent features in many landscapes of the world. However, the parkland agroforestry' species composition is influenced by ecological and economic factors in a given socio-cultural environment. The aims of this study were to investigate the tree species diversity in parkland agroforestry in the study area. The two administrative kebeles were selected purposively. A total of 90 households were randomly selected for tree species inventory. Six transect lines were established for the inventory of tree species in study sites. Along each of the 3 transect lines, 15 quadrates were laid out. The total number of quadrates used was 90 (45 quadrates for each study site). Shannon, Simpson and evenness indices were used to calculate the richness and diversity of the tree species in the study area. From the study, the Shannon, Simpson and evenness diversity indices revealed that tree species richness per quadrate in both study sites was (1.84b ± 0.25) and (2.49a ± 0.14). This exposed the tree species; the Shannon, Simpson and Evenness diversity indices were higher at the Bohe site than at Bachira. The significant value index of individual tree species at parkland agroforestry was assessed, and Croton macrostachyus and Cordia africana were ranked first and second tree species in both studies sites with mean IVIs of 52.22% and 38.43%, respectively. This is recommended to farmers to increase the diversity and richness of tree species in their parkland agroforestry practice and reducing the charcoal market and needs further detailed investigation accordingly. Parkland agroforestry plays a vital role in conserving tree species diversity as well as the ecological sustainability of agricultural landscapes.