Journal of Forestry and Natural Resources

The Urban Green Space Development and Management Challenges in Debre Tabor Town, Ethiopia

Mikiase Biazene Molla — 2024-11-07

The development and management of green spaces is challenging in Ethiopia, as in many other developing countries, resulting in the reduction and destruction of green spaces. This study identifies the primary challenges and factors influencing the development and management of urban green spaces in Debre Tabor Town. Data were collected through household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The household survey revealed that connectivity (92.9%) and the need for continuous follow-up and maintenance activities (88.2%) are critical challenges in the management of urban green spaces. Additionally, the study highlights how inadequate government policies, weak institutional capacities, political instability, inefficient land use and the absence of clear norms significantly hinder effective green space development, often leading to illegal activities. The socioeconomic status of respondents was found to play a significant role in shaping their perceptions of urban green space benefits. The predictive model indicated that six independent variables—age (p = 0.000), educational status (p = 0.010), family size (p = 0.044), income (p = 0.027), access to information (p = 0.004), and years of residence (p = 0.000) collectively accounted for 49.9% of the variance in residents’ perceptions of green space benefits. Conversely, household sex, marital status, and occupation were weakly associated with these perceptions. Overall, the findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced public awareness, strategic policymaking, and efficient land use systems to improve the development and management of urban green spaces in Debre Tabor, thereby enriching the community’s quality of life.

Correlations and path coefficient analysis of Grain yield and Grain yield related traits in Small seeded Common bean genotypes (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at Goro and Ginnir, Southeast Ethiopia

Belay Asmare — 2024-11-07

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the crops produced by thousands of farmers in Bale. This study was conducted to assess the association of grain yield and grain yield related traits among small seeded common bean genotypes. Sixty-four common bean genotypes were evaluated in 8 X 8 simple lattice design at Goro and Ginnir in 2021. Results of analysis showed significant(p<0.05) and positive strong correlation at phenotypic and genotypic levels for number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and number of seeds per plant with grain yield at both sites. These traits except number of seeds per plant had positive direct effects on Grain yield at genotypic level. The present study showed weak association of plant height and hundred seed weight with all the traits. The presence of non-significant correlations of the two variables indicated that the two traits are independent of each other or that genes concerned are located far apart on the same chromosome or they are located on different chromosomes. Days to flowering had negative and significant(p<0.01) genotypic and phenotypic correlations with grain yield and the trait also exerted negative direct effect on grain yield at genotypic and phenotypic levels at both locations. This suggested that the importance of considering these traits during selection to improve grain yield in subsequent generations. In contrast, the negative direct effects of days to flowering and maturity as well as the negative indirect effects of these traits via other traits on grain yield suggested the need to select genotypes for early flowering and maturity for the study area.

Abundance and distribution of mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona Schreber, 1775) in Osun Osogbo World Heritage Site, Nigeria

Adegoke Wahab — 2024-11-07

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the abundance and distribution of mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona Schreber, 1775) in Osun Osogbo World Heritage Site, Nigeria. This study used the line transect method to estimate population densities and map the spatial distribution of Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona) in Osun Osogbo World Heritage Site (OOWHS). Transects were marked at intervals of 0.05 km to facilitate data collection. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS version 2023 to generate frequency tables. The mean density of mona monkeys was found to be high (220.75) in OOWHS. The morning and evening censuses revealed a significant statistical difference between the morning and evening censuses (P = value +0.353 at 0.05). The spatial distribution of mona monkeys was observed to be more in Transect A (near the gate of OOWHS) than in any other range within the selected ranges due to the fact that (Cercopithecus mona) is semi-habituated as a result of high tourism activities at this site and the presence of the tour guides offices that offered protection to the animals and their proximity to the flora composition of palm trees (Elaes guinensis) that serve as food sources and are mostly frequently utilized by the mona monkeys. It is suggested that sustainable management should be in place in monitoring the species in low relative abundance areas of the site,

The impact of water hyacinth (Echhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) infestation on physiochemical water quality of Lake Ziway, South Central Ethiopia

Mieraf Addisalem — 2024-11-07

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipses) is one of the most invasive weeds in aquatic ecosystems. It has been a serious threat to aquatic biodiversity. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of water hyacinth on the water physicochemical quality of Lake Ziway. Water physicochemical quality samples were taken at four sites in two triplicate and vertically stratified as surface, medium, or deeper, using an FL-2010N Digital multimeter and plastic water sampler. For PO3 and NO3 analyses, water samples were collected from the surface, stored in polyethylene bottles, and transported to the laboratory in an icebox. Two samples were taken from areas with dense water hyacinth cover (site 1), less dense (site 2), sparsely infested (site 3), and without water hyacinth (site 4). Furthermore, to investigate the distribution of water hyacinth, key informant interviews were conducted. The results showed that the amount of PO3) between sites 2 and 3 was significantly different at p 0.05. The amount of NO3 at sites 1 and 2 was significantly different from that at site 3, at p 0.05. There was a significant difference in the pH values among the sites. The pH value at site 1 was significantly different from those at sites 3 and 4 (p 0.05. The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in dissolved oxygen (DO) among all sites at, p 0.05. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) analysis showed that water hyacinth coverage was positively correlated with PO3 (r = 0.77, N = 4, P 0.05), NO3 (r = 0.69, N = 4, P 0.05), pH (r = 0.16, N = 4, P 0.05), and (T) temperature (r = 0.78, N = 4, P 0.050). On the other hand, a negative correlation was observed between DO and water hyacinth percent cover (r = -0.94, N = 4, P = 0.05). This implies that water hyacinth infestation in Lake Ziway adversely affects the water physicochemical quality of the lake. In addition, agrochemical nutrient inputs from the lake shore, intensive irrigation, and floricultural activities have been attributed by key informants to be the main sources of eutrophication in the lake, with consequent expiation of water hyacinth infestation. Therefore, an integrated management approach is urgently needed to control the infestation of water hyacinth and its further expansion into the lake.

Traditional knowledge and attitude of the local communities towards wildlife conservation in and around fragmented Forest of Germeba Mountain in southern Ethiopia

Abebech Zewdu — 2024-11-07

The role of traditional knowledge and attitude of the local community about wildlife conservation is fundamental for sustainable wildlife conservation. Therefore, the study investigated the traditional wildlife conservation knowledge and factors that determine attitudes towards wildlife conservation in and around fragmented Forest of Germeba Mountain in southern Ethiopia. A total of 108 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data were also collected using key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics and binary logit model were employed to analyze the data. The results of the study revealed that the majority (77.8%) of the local community could identify wildlife species in the study area. 87 % of the respondents perceived a change in wild animals’ abundance in their area. Generally, the vast majority of respondents (96.5%) had positive attitude towards wildlife conservation. Binary Logistic regression analysis indicated that educational status (p=0.05), age (p=0.01) and traditional knowledge (p=0.010) were significant variables in explaining attitude of local community towards wildlife conservation. The study revealed that the local community demonstrated a considerable level of traditional knowledge and positive attitude about wildlife conservation. Hence, the indigenous knowledge about wildlife conservation can be used as an input for knowledge-based conservation in the area.

Effects of land use practices on the spatial variability of soil physicochemical properties across a landscape in Wondo Genet, Southcentral Ethiopia

Mikias Biazen Molla — 2024-11-07

This study investigated the changes in physical, chemical and microbiological soil properties resulting from different land use practices. Soil samples were collected from two different depths, 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm, in three adjacent land use types: agricultural land, plantation forest and natural forest. A total of 15 samples were collected for analysis from each land use type. Key soil parameters, including total nitrogen, soil organic carbon and microbial biomass, were quantified using the micro-Kjeldahl and fumigation-extraction methods, respectively. In addition, geostatistical analysis using kriging interpolation techniques was performed within a GIS framework to visualize the spatial variability of soil parameters. The results showed that agricultural land/khate farm had the highest bulk density (0.96±0.018%), followed by plantation forest/Cupressus (0.93±0.012%) and natural forest (NF) (0.81±0.03%). Natural forest had the highest soil organic carbon content (4.25±0.28%), followed by plantation forest/Podocarpus (2.77±0.49%) and Coffee based agroforestry (2.92±0.16%). Furthermore, the total nitrogen content was highest in the top layer of natural forest (0.37±0.024 μg/g), showing significant differences compared to plantation forest and agricultural land. Microbial biomass carbon was also highest in natural forest (939.84±46.0 μg/g), followed by plantation forest/Grevillea (712.8±48.4 μg/g) and agricultural land/Enset (570.2±38.8 μg/g). Similarly, microbial biomass nitrogen was highest in natural forest (81.0±3.9 μg/g) and showed significant variations with plantation forest/Grevillea (60.08±4.2 μg/g) and agricultural land/Enset (40.96±3.3 μg/g). Overall, our results indicate a strong correlation between microbial biomass and soil physico-chemical properties, which are significantly influenced by vegetation type and soil depth.