Research Article Open Access

Evaluating Implication of Long Term Watershed Development on Plant Diversity Dynamics in Maybar Sub-Watershed, South Wello Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Long term watershed management in Ethiopia was evaluated starting from the 1980’s, in different agro-ecologies. A study was conducted to investigate the implication of long term watershed management on the plant diversity dynamics in Maybar sub watershed, North-eastern Amhara, Ethiopia. Plant diversity data was collected through focus group discussion with key informants, transect walks and field observation. Each plants could been categorized under their nature of plantation such as cultivated crop, fruit and Vegetables, cultivated tree, shrub and herb, grass, wild or semi wild tree and shrub and Other (weed, Herb, Bush…), and the existence also classified as past and current condition. Then, analysis was done by SPSS16.0 statistical software. The results showed that while two types of indigenous plant species currently disappeared, newly introduced plant species had been increased by 14.41% from the previous plant species diversity. Cultivated trees, shrub and herb, fruit and vegetables and grass species relative proportion have been increased by 52.98%, 18.18%, and 1.8% respectively. In contrast, plants categorized under cultivated crops, wild or semi wild trees and shrubs and others (weed, wild herb, bush) has been decreased by 25.31%, 18.31%, and 11.37% respectively. Therefore, long term watershed development has a positive impact on plant diversity improvement.

Tilahun Taye, Awdenegest Moges

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