Ecological study and forest degradation of the Waldiba Monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia
Abstract Sacred sites like monasteries harbour a higher diversity of flora and fauna than nearby unprotected areas and sometimes even higher than protected areas. However, anthropogenic disturbance puts woodlands in these monasteries and churches under significant threat. To study the floristic comp...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Discover Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00223-4 |
| _version_ | 1797220095826591744 |
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| author | Daniel H. Berhe Abeba N. Retta Amare S. Tefera Tesfay Gidey Aklilu Negussie Emiru Birhane Kiros M. Hadgu Kflay Gebrehiwot |
| author_facet | Daniel H. Berhe Abeba N. Retta Amare S. Tefera Tesfay Gidey Aklilu Negussie Emiru Birhane Kiros M. Hadgu Kflay Gebrehiwot |
| author_sort | Daniel H. Berhe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Sacred sites like monasteries harbour a higher diversity of flora and fauna than nearby unprotected areas and sometimes even higher than protected areas. However, anthropogenic disturbance puts woodlands in these monasteries and churches under significant threat. To study the floristic composition and forest degradation of Waldiba monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia, 30 plots were established along transect lines. We recorded 39 native woody species (33 trees, 5 shrubs and 1 liana) belonging to 19 families. The woodland had a Shannon diversity index of 3.10, Simpson similarity index of 0.94, evenness of 0.58 and dominance of 0.06. The density of woody species was 922 stems ha−1 with a total basal area of 49.27 m2 ha−1. The tree species with higher importance value index (IVI) value were Dichrostachys cinerea (86.04%), Combretum fragrans (71.87%), Combretum hartmannianum (60.30%) and Combretum sp. (50.15%). The population structure of the woody species exhibited various patterns; bell shape, irregular shape, interrupted J shape, and J shape. Plant regeneration was inadequate for most of the tree species. Vachellia venosa is listed as endangered while C. hartmannianum as vulnerable in the IUCN red list species category. Waldiba dry woodland has underwent significant cover changes. Waldiba has lost much (65%) of its dense forest and open forest (44%) mainly due to anthropogenic disturbance. The woodland with its biodiversity is under threat. In effect, the species with low IVI, species listed in the IUCN red list and those species with none to poor regeneration status should be prioritized for in situ and ex situ conservation intervention to avert the threat. Research on reproductive ecology of the threatened indigenous species is imperative, as the woodland should be managed for ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:44:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ddba623db58349a7bee47b48b00f8412 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2662-9984 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:44:06Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj.art-ddba623db58349a7bee47b48b00f84122024-04-07T11:06:02ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842024-04-015111610.1007/s43621-024-00223-4Ecological study and forest degradation of the Waldiba Monastery woodland in Tigrai, EthiopiaDaniel H. Berhe0Abeba N. Retta1Amare S. Tefera2Tesfay Gidey3Aklilu Negussie4Emiru Birhane5Kiros M. Hadgu6Kflay Gebrehiwot7Department of Natural Resources Management, University of AdigratDepartment of Natural Resources Management, University of AdigratDepartment of Natural Resources Management, University of AdigratDepartment of Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of AdigratWeForestDepartment of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection, College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle UniversityWorld Agroforestry (ICRAF) - Ethiopia, c/o ILRI EthiopiaDepartment of Biology, Samara UniversityAbstract Sacred sites like monasteries harbour a higher diversity of flora and fauna than nearby unprotected areas and sometimes even higher than protected areas. However, anthropogenic disturbance puts woodlands in these monasteries and churches under significant threat. To study the floristic composition and forest degradation of Waldiba monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia, 30 plots were established along transect lines. We recorded 39 native woody species (33 trees, 5 shrubs and 1 liana) belonging to 19 families. The woodland had a Shannon diversity index of 3.10, Simpson similarity index of 0.94, evenness of 0.58 and dominance of 0.06. The density of woody species was 922 stems ha−1 with a total basal area of 49.27 m2 ha−1. The tree species with higher importance value index (IVI) value were Dichrostachys cinerea (86.04%), Combretum fragrans (71.87%), Combretum hartmannianum (60.30%) and Combretum sp. (50.15%). The population structure of the woody species exhibited various patterns; bell shape, irregular shape, interrupted J shape, and J shape. Plant regeneration was inadequate for most of the tree species. Vachellia venosa is listed as endangered while C. hartmannianum as vulnerable in the IUCN red list species category. Waldiba dry woodland has underwent significant cover changes. Waldiba has lost much (65%) of its dense forest and open forest (44%) mainly due to anthropogenic disturbance. The woodland with its biodiversity is under threat. In effect, the species with low IVI, species listed in the IUCN red list and those species with none to poor regeneration status should be prioritized for in situ and ex situ conservation intervention to avert the threat. Research on reproductive ecology of the threatened indigenous species is imperative, as the woodland should be managed for ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00223-4Analytical hierarchy process (AHP)Anthropogenic disturbanceDry woodlandsMonasteriesFloristic compositionImportance value index (IVI) |
| spellingShingle | Daniel H. Berhe Abeba N. Retta Amare S. Tefera Tesfay Gidey Aklilu Negussie Emiru Birhane Kiros M. Hadgu Kflay Gebrehiwot Ecological study and forest degradation of the Waldiba Monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia Discover Sustainability Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) Anthropogenic disturbance Dry woodlands Monasteries Floristic composition Importance value index (IVI) |
| title | Ecological study and forest degradation of the Waldiba Monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia |
| title_full | Ecological study and forest degradation of the Waldiba Monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Ecological study and forest degradation of the Waldiba Monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ecological study and forest degradation of the Waldiba Monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia |
| title_short | Ecological study and forest degradation of the Waldiba Monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia |
| title_sort | ecological study and forest degradation of the waldiba monastery woodland in tigrai ethiopia |
| topic | Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) Anthropogenic disturbance Dry woodlands Monasteries Floristic composition Importance value index (IVI) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00223-4 |
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