Journal of Forestry and Natural Resources

Arbuscular mycorrhizal status of Cordia africana and Millettia ferruginea trees in traditional agroforestry land use systems of Sidama Regional State, southern Ethiopia

Zebene Asfaw, Håkan Hultén — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance plant growth and productivity through nutrient acquisition, organic matter decomposition, improved soil health, increased resilience and stress tolerance. A higher percentage of root colonisation by AMF indicates a stronger symbiotic relationship and potentially greater benefits to the plant. A high abundance of AMF spores reflects their overall potential to colonise plant roots. The aim of this study was to determine the number of spores and root colonisation potential of AMF in the soil beneath Cordia and Millettia trees grown in enset and maize fields, and to estimate the extent of AMF colonisation of Millettia and maize seedling roots grown on these field soils. Six tree-crop combinations, making 36 plots, and two open maize plots in the traditional agroforestry systems of Sidama. At the field level, the study was conducted under the canopy of Cordia africana and Millettia ferruginea trees in different plots. To assess the relationship, root colonisation and spore counts of field soils sampled from different Cordia and Millettia trees in enset and maize plots, maize and Millettia plants were grown in the nursery. The tree-crop combinations induced higher spore counts and higher colonisation levels than in the open maize field. Significantly, lower numbers of spores were observed in soils under Cordia and Millettia trees grown in maize plots than under trees grown in enset coffee and enset plots. The order of colonised roots was: tree enset coffee > tree enset > tree maize for Cordia trees and tree enset > tree enset coffee > tree maize for Millettia trees. At the nursery level, a significantly higher level of root colonisation was observed for maize plants grown on soil from under tree-enset-coffee and enset plots than for those grown on soil from tree-maize and open maize plots. The percentage of AM colonised maize roots was significantly positively correlated with spore counts for field soils. Both maize and Millettia plants with high root colonisation achieved higher fresh weight. The presence of spore counts and root colonisation in the plants studied suggests a contribution of native AMF in improving plant growth and productivity.

The Current status, Threats and Strategic solutions for Ethiopia's Biosphere Reserves Shifa Tahir Fogi

Shifa Tahi Fogi — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The biosphere is where all life forms and biotic environments live and interact. Biosphere reserves have different ways in which people live, work and interact with each other and with nature. The main objective of this paper was to assess the current status, risks and develop plans to ensure the longevity of Ethiopia's biosphere reserves. These reserves, recognised by UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, are designated areas that promote and showcase the balanced coexistence of humans and nature. Since 2010, Ethiopia has established five biosphere reserves, which are monitored globally by UNESCO. Sheka, Majang, Kafa, Yayu and Lake Tana are home to a wide variety of biological species, with 779,381ha representing just 0.1% of the world's biosphere reserves. These reserves play a key role in resolving conflicts between different stakeholders in a particular landscape through their involvement, participation and cooperation. They are also places where people can access information on sustainable development. Ethiopia's biosphere reserves face challenges such as land use change, deforestation, degradation, logging, agricultural expansion, investment, overgrazing, fuelwood, charcoal and other impacts. The sustainability problems in Ethiopia's biosphere reserves stem from the lack of an effective management strategy and insufficient ownership by the various stakeholders. The government and the community should prioritise the promotion and development of biosphere reserves and establish a management plan for each one. Ethiopia's biosphere reserves play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity. It is important that the government and local communities work together to promote development, establish management plans, involve local people, balance conservation and sustainable use, and provide incentives. In the future, institutional restructuring will need to address issues related to lack of ownership.

Enhancing carbon sequestration through tropical forest management: A review

Asif Raihan — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Soil absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Soil organic carbon (SOC) is understudied in tropical regions despite its importance. This study examines how forest management might increase SOC sequestration and restore degraded tropical ecosystems. Sequestering soil organic carbon could enhance soil fertility and reduce land degradation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Soil structure, aggregation, infiltration, faunal motion, and nutrient (C, N, P and S) cycling are improved. Forest ecosystem management improves C sequestration, climate change mitigation, and degraded land rehabilitation. When combined with organic residue managing and nitrogen-fixing plants, afforesting or reforesting marginal or degraded lands enhances C storing in biomass and soil and supports soil condition, food productivity, land refurbishment, and greenhouse gas reduction. Sequestered C increases biological, physical, and chemical fertility, improving soil health.

Wood production potential of different agroforestry practices and underlying production constraints in Tula woreda of Sidama regional State, southern Ethiopia

Bonsa Fenetale, Tsegaye Bekele, Jürgen Pretzsch — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0300

On-farm trees have an essential role in supporting the livelihoods of the community in the study area thouth providing various wood products. The objective of the study was to characterize the attributes, constraints, and opportunities of on-farm wood production, with the view to increase farm wood production in the study area. Tula district was purposively chosen because it is among areas with a high concentration of smallholder tree growers. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed investigate farmers’ tree-growing conditions, constraints and to undertake tree inventory using selected potential wood production sites. The results of the study showed that home gardens, boundary planting, and woodlots were the three major agroforestry practices (AFPs) contributing to the production of 1,750 ± 292 m³ (Mean ± SE, ha) wood volume per annum in the area. Indigenous trees were investigated from natural regeneration while exotic ones were established through planting from seedlings. There were 20 tree species recorded in the three AFPs. As a constraint, the lack of access to planting material in terms of quality and quantity tree species was the major problem faced by farmers in the study area. Therefore, it is recommended that multidimensional intervention mechanisms with regard to improve tree management practices, facilitate determinant factors of production desired tree species, and improve extension services towards purpose-driven tree growing practices should be put in place to change the state of wood production in the study area.