Abstract:
Ethiopia is known for its massive expansion of plantations and woodlots, that are mainly of monocultures
of the exotic tree species, Eucalyptus, which has still remained the pre-dominant tree components of
plantations as well as farming systems in different parts of Ethiopian highlands, including the highlands in
North Gondar. However, the status of indigenous/native tree species in these areas has become very
limited, and is considered at risk. The current study was conducted in Chiliga and Dabat districts of North
Gondar zone; it assessed (i) indigenous woody species diversity of farmlands in different agro-ecologies
and farm land use categories, (ii) management and conservation practices carried out by farmers, and (iii)
major constraints for enhancing on-farm integration of indigenous woody species. Primary data was
obtained using such methods as, formal household survey, group discussion, observation and woody
species inventory in two villages selected randomly from highland and mid highland for Dabat, and mid
land and lowland for Chiliga district. A complete census of all woody individuals was conducted on all
plots/parcels of 80 households. A total of 35 species were encountered in the farm lands of the studied
area. Six of the total species was exotic, and constitute about 85% of the total abundance. The number of
woody species per household increased with decreased agroecological gradient, and the largest value of
stem number was found at the highland, followed by at mid highland, whereas least stem number was
found in the lowland site. Likewise, the study found that home gardens host more diverse indigenous
species than other land use types. Even though farm lands in the study areas were home to different
indigenous woody species higher in number than exotic species, it was possible to confirm the already
reported evidence that revealed exotic species have been remaining the pre-dominant tree components of
the agricultural landscapes in different parts of Ethiopian highlands. However, the fact that remnant native
tree individuals are currently growing with in the agricultural landscapes is an indication of the
opportunity for integrating and managing native tree species through Agroforestry systems. The study
concludes that there is a considerable possibilities of native and indigenous species to exist as an integral
component of agricultural land use systems in Northern highlands where Eucalyptus expansion has
remained the main focus of research and extension efforts.
