Population structure and phenological attributes of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in Northwestern lowland area of Ethiopia
Adansonia digitata (baobab), a multipurpose and highly valued tree species, is facing threats due to anthropogenic factors like shifting cultivation practices and fire. The aim of this study was to examine the population structure and phenological attributes of baobab in three districts (i.e. Kafta...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023097797 |
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| author | Melkamu Abere Zewdu Yilma Tadesse Tsegie Abeje Eshete Asmamaw Alemu |
| author_facet | Melkamu Abere Zewdu Yilma Tadesse Tsegie Abeje Eshete Asmamaw Alemu |
| author_sort | Melkamu Abere |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Adansonia digitata (baobab), a multipurpose and highly valued tree species, is facing threats due to anthropogenic factors like shifting cultivation practices and fire. The aim of this study was to examine the population structure and phenological attributes of baobab in three districts (i.e. Kafta Humera, Tselemt, and Quara district) in Northwestern Ethiopia. The study was carried out by establishing 17 plots 1 km long and 100 m wide covering a total area of 170 ha in the Quara district and five plots covering 50 ha each in the Kafta Humera and Tselemt districts. Further, plots were subdivided into 25 × 25 m and 5 × 5 m sub-plots for recording other woody species and their regeneration status, respectively. Thirty reproductively matured trees with easily visible crowns were selected to record phenological characteristics and fruit yield. The findings revealed that baobab population was significantly higher in the Tselemt district (3.15 ± 0.15) as compared to Quara (1.43 ± 0.43) and Kafta Humera (1.30 ± 0.23) sites. A bell-shaped diameter distribution was observed in the Quara district and irregular-shaped distributions were observed in Kafta Humera and Tselemt districts. Phenological periodicity and fruit production of baobab did not vary significantly among the three study sites. On average, 404 fruits per tree were recorded with a maximum of 559 fruits in mid-diameter size class trees. Due to livestock browsing, shifting cultivation practices, and uncontrolled fire, the recruitments are limited in the study areas. An in-situ conservation strategy through the plantation and proper management practices are needed to sustain baobab tree species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T21:29:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d09530fec96d4080b858b0fc0495f9de |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T21:29:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-d09530fec96d4080b858b0fc0495f9de2023-12-21T07:33:51ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402023-12-01912e22571Population structure and phenological attributes of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in Northwestern lowland area of EthiopiaMelkamu Abere0Zewdu Yilma1Tadesse Tsegie2Abeje Eshete3Asmamaw Alemu4Ethiopian Forestry Development Bahir Dar Center, P.O. Box 2128, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Ethiopian Forestry Development Central Ethiopia Center, P.O. Box 33042, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaEthiopian Forestry Development Central Ethiopia Center, P.O. Box 33042, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaEthiopian Forestry Development, P.O. Box 24536, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaUniversity of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, EthiopiaAdansonia digitata (baobab), a multipurpose and highly valued tree species, is facing threats due to anthropogenic factors like shifting cultivation practices and fire. The aim of this study was to examine the population structure and phenological attributes of baobab in three districts (i.e. Kafta Humera, Tselemt, and Quara district) in Northwestern Ethiopia. The study was carried out by establishing 17 plots 1 km long and 100 m wide covering a total area of 170 ha in the Quara district and five plots covering 50 ha each in the Kafta Humera and Tselemt districts. Further, plots were subdivided into 25 × 25 m and 5 × 5 m sub-plots for recording other woody species and their regeneration status, respectively. Thirty reproductively matured trees with easily visible crowns were selected to record phenological characteristics and fruit yield. The findings revealed that baobab population was significantly higher in the Tselemt district (3.15 ± 0.15) as compared to Quara (1.43 ± 0.43) and Kafta Humera (1.30 ± 0.23) sites. A bell-shaped diameter distribution was observed in the Quara district and irregular-shaped distributions were observed in Kafta Humera and Tselemt districts. Phenological periodicity and fruit production of baobab did not vary significantly among the three study sites. On average, 404 fruits per tree were recorded with a maximum of 559 fruits in mid-diameter size class trees. Due to livestock browsing, shifting cultivation practices, and uncontrolled fire, the recruitments are limited in the study areas. An in-situ conservation strategy through the plantation and proper management practices are needed to sustain baobab tree species.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023097797BaobabDensityDistributionPhenological characteristicFruit yield |
| spellingShingle | Melkamu Abere Zewdu Yilma Tadesse Tsegie Abeje Eshete Asmamaw Alemu Population structure and phenological attributes of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in Northwestern lowland area of Ethiopia Heliyon Baobab Density Distribution Phenological characteristic Fruit yield |
| title | Population structure and phenological attributes of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in Northwestern lowland area of Ethiopia |
| title_full | Population structure and phenological attributes of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in Northwestern lowland area of Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Population structure and phenological attributes of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in Northwestern lowland area of Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Population structure and phenological attributes of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in Northwestern lowland area of Ethiopia |
| title_short | Population structure and phenological attributes of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in Northwestern lowland area of Ethiopia |
| title_sort | population structure and phenological attributes of adansonia digitata l baobab in northwestern lowland area of ethiopia |
| topic | Baobab Density Distribution Phenological characteristic Fruit yield |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023097797 |
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