GET THE APP

Forest Research: Open Access

Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access

ISSN: 2168-9776

+44 1300 500008

Research - (2020)Volume 9, Issue 2

Selection of Different Trees/Shrubs Species for Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands in Wag-Lasta Area, Northeastern Ethiopia

Melkamu Kasaye*, Getu Abebe, Abrham Abiyu, Menale Wondie and Beyene Belay
 
*Correspondence: Melkamu Kasaye, Amhara Agricultural Research Institute, Sekota Dryland Agricultural Research Centre, Injibara University, Ethiopia, Tel: 251918330692, Email:

Author info »

Abstract

Due to human and livestock population pressure, land degradation is the main problem in many part of Ethiopia. To avert the situation, tree and shrub species selection on degraded lands are valuable tool for ecological restoration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to select the best performing tree and shrub species in three agro-ecological zones of Waglasta area, Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications in highland, mid altitude, and lowland sites. For total experimental setup 21 (seven for lowland, eight for mid altitude and six for highland) tree and shrub species were used. Growth and survival rate data were collected every 3 months interval for one year and every 6 months up to the end of the experiment. The result indicated that L. pallid (2.52 ± 0.19 m) at lowland site, Acacia senegal (1.32±0.23 m) at mid altitude and Acacia decurrens (4.0 ± 0.46 m) at highland site had shown better performance in height. Similarly, Moringa stenopetala at lowland, Jatropha carcus at mid altitude and Acacia saligna at highland site had shown 8.63 ± 2.37 cm, 3.1 ± 0.2 cm and 7.06 ± 0.75 cm performance in root collar diameter, respectively. However, the survival rate was higher for A. senegal (43 ± 7%) and M. stenoptella (44 ± 17%) at lowland site, A. senegal (98 ± 2%) at mid altitude and A. saligna (63.9 ± 20.0%) at highland site. Therefore, to restore degraded lands and to support the on-going land rehabilitation programs of Wag-lasta area, we recommend A. senegal and M. stenoptella for lowland site, A. senegal for mid altitude areas and A. saligna for highland site of Lalibela, Abergele and Sekota and similar agro-climatic zones. However, additional studies regarding soil nutrient dynamics, fostering effect and tree nursing should be integrated to develop sound ecological restoration strategies in the growth corridor as well as in the region.

Keywords

Rehabilitation; Tree/Shrub species; Selection

Introduction

Land degradation is both a natural and human-induced process [1], which diminish the capacity of land resources to perform essential functions and services [2]. Land degradation is a globalscale, ongoing, and the relentless problem that poses a major long-term challenge to humans in terms of its adverse impact on biomass productivity, food security, biodiversity and environmental sustainability [3]. Land degradation is the broad term that includes soil erosion degradation (acidification, fertility depletion, hard setting), biological degradation (reduction of total biomass and carbon and decline of biodiversity) and ground water depletion.

In Ethiopia, land degradation has become a serious problem affecting all spheres of social, economic and political life of the population [4]. It is one of the major challenges to agricultural development and food security of the country. A large portion of the agricultural land, which is mainly located in the highland part of the country, is affected by severe to moderate land degradation [2].

Particularly, Amhara region is extremely affected by land degradation. In terms of soil erosion, 29% experience high erosion rates (51–200 t/ha per year), 31% experiences moderate erosion rates (16–50 t/ha per year), 10% experiences very high erosion rates (>200 t/ha per year) and the remaining 30% experiences low erosion rates (<16 t/ha per year) [5]. The leading factor of land degradation in the region is deforestation, soil erosion, growth of human and livestock population, overgrazing, and mismanagement of land. For instance, accelerated growth of human and livestock population coupled with per capital demand for goods and services, land degradation has gone beyond the limits of reversal, and the problems are expanding at large. Although, the trend of land rehabilitation is becoming an increasingly significant tool to manage, conserve, and repair the worlds degraded ecosystems. Hence, rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems are critical tools for protection of the remaining natural resource.

Therefore, restoring degraded lands through afforestation pointed out as crucial step to return the productive potential of a land, and its related benefit to meet their economic, social and environmental potentials. However, previous reforestation programs attempting to counteract the effects of deforestation have failed mainly due to lack of knowledge on site–species matching [6]. Thus, an appropriate tree/shrub species selection for different agro-ecologies is a sound step to assist the rehabilitation of the degraded lands. Therefore, the focus of this research was to select the best performing trees or/ and shrubs species on the degraded lands of Wag-Lasta area.

Materials and Methods

Site description

The experimentation was conducted in Amhara region of Waghemira and Semen wollo, in three agro-ecologies namely; lowland, mid-altitude, and highland. The lowland site is located at Abergele, which ranges in altitude from 1150-2500 m.a.sl (Figure 1). The mean annual temperature and rainfall varies from 23°C to 43°C, 250 to 750 mm, respectively. Also the district’s agro-ecology can be classified as lowland [7]. Mid altitude site is located at Sekota (Woleh), the altitude of the district range from 1340 to 2200 m.a.sl. The rainfall patter is unimodal with erratic and uneven distribution. But mean annual rainfall ranges between 350 to 700 mm, and the mean annual temperature varied from 16°C to 27°C [8]. The highland is located at Lalibela; Altitude of the site is 2129 m.a.sl. Lalibela area has two rainy seasons from June to September and from March to April. The annual rainfall varies from 500 to 1000 mm, Lalibela area is characterized by mean annual temperature of 24.5°C and relative humidity is 52.9% [9].

forest-research-open-access-study

Figure 1: Map of the study area.

Experimental design and management

Treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The space between blocks and plots were 3 m and 2 m, respectively. The size Plot was 12 m × 10 m for lowland, 10 m × 8 m for mid altitude and 6 m × 6 m for the highland site. The spacing between trees in a plot was 2.5 m × 2 m (lowland), 2 m × 2 m (mid altitude) and 1.5 m × 2 m (highland). For the total experimental set up 21 treatments (6 for the lowland, 8 for mid-altitude and 7 for highland) were used (Table 1). In a plot, 25 trees for lowland, 16 trees for mid-altitude and 12 trees for highland were planted. Water harvesting structures (half-moon), which recommended in our mandate area, was constructed following the contours.

Table 1: Length treatment set up in three agro-ecologies.

S. No Highland (Lalibela) Mid altitude (Sekota) Lowland (Abergele)
1 Acacia abyssinica Susbania seculeta Susbania seculeta
2 Acacia decurrens Acacia senegal Acacia albida
3 Acacia melanoxylon Cordia africana Acacia senegal
4 Acacia saligna Gravilea robusta Luecaena  pallida
5 Chamaecytisus palmensis Jatrofa carcus Leucaena leucocephala
6 E. viminalis Melia azandarchata Moringa stenoptella
    Moringa stenoptella Susbania sesban
    Sesbania sesban  

Data collected

Growth (Height and Root collar diameter) and survival data were collected every 3 months interval for 21 months and every 6 months interval since 21-month period up to the end of the experimentation.

Data analysis

Data analysis was performed by using SPSS statistical analytical software version 22 for comparison of among treatments with height, root collar diameter, and survival rate.

Results and Discussion

Lowland site (Abergele)

The growth and survival rate data of Abergele trial had shown significant difference across months and treatments in height, root collar diameter and survival rate at p<0.05. The performances of all species except survival rate were increasing with increasing growing months. The mean comparison result indicated that L. pallid and M. stenoptella had shown significant growth in height (2.52 ± 0.19 m) at 45 months (Figure 2), and root collar diameter (8.63 ± 2.37 cm) at 39 months (Table 2), respectively. This may be due to the difference in growth strategy of the plants. A. senegal and M. stenoptella were scored relatively highest (43 ± 7% and 44 ± 17%) survival rate at the end of the experimentation (Table 3). This result is relatively lower than the finding of Haile and Bayu 10], who found 83.3% survival rate for M. stenoptella and 52.08% for A. senegal in similar location. However, L. leucocephala, S. seculeta, and S. sesban were not survived after 27 month lifetime. Particularly, poor survival and growth response was observed on L. leucocephala, S. seculeta, and S. sesban. probably due to longer period of dry season which extends from 9 to 10 months, and also lifetime of the species and need of special treatment like pruning, looping, and coppice. Specificaly, L. leucocephala does not tolerate very dry and acidic soil [11].

forest-research-open-access-significantly

Figure 2: Growth performance of tree/shrub species in height (m) across months at Abergele. Means with similar letters are not significantly different at (p<0.05). Means with similar letters are not significantly different at (p<0.05).

Table 2: Growth performance of tree/shrub species in root collar diameter (cm) across months at Abergele.

Treatments Months
6 12 18 27 33 39 45
Mean  ± SE   Mean  ± SE Mean  ± SE  Mean  ± SE   Mean  ± SE  Mean  ± SE Mean ± SE
A. albida 0.23 ± 0.09df 0.4 ± 0.1c 0.9 ± 0.39ab 1.13 ± 0.73c 0.73 ± 0.73c 0.43 ± 0.43b d
A. senegal 0.47 ± 0.12d 1.1 ± 0.35bc 0.03 ± 0.79b Nd Nd Nd Nd
L. leucocephala 0.37 ± 0.07ce 0.53 ± 0.07c 0.23 ± 0.19b 2.77 ± 0.33ab d d d
L. palida 0.6 ± 0.06cd 0.6 ± 0.1c 1.17 ± 0.28a 3.43 ± 0.32b 2.87 ± 0.48b 2.1 ± 1.06b 3.7 ± 0.44b
M. stenopetala 1.53 ± 0.09b 2.83 ± 0.41a 0.57 ± 1.12ab 5.97 ± 0.97a 5.27 ± 0.18a 8.63 ± 2.37a 7.87 ± 0.72a
S. eculeta 1.23 ± 0.13b 1.53 ± 0.12b 1.3 ± 0.48a d d d d
S. sesban 1.7 ± 0.17a 1.97 ± 0.2b 1.43 ± 1.4a d d d d

Table 3: Growth performance of tree/shrub species in Survival rate (%) across months at Abergele.

Treatments Months
6 12   18 27 33    39 45
Mean  ± SE Mean  ± SE Mean  ± SE Mean  ± SE Mean  ± SE Mean  ± SE Mean  ± SE
A.albida 96 ± 2a 77 ± 3a 74 ± 6ab 48 ± 6a 16 ± 16b 16 ± 16ab 4 ± 4c
A.senegal 79 ± 3b 72 ± 6a 76 ± 4a 57 ± 13a 43 ± 22a 43 ± 22a 43 ± 7ab
L.leucocephala 64 ± 15b 45 ± 12b 35 ± 5d 19 ± 4b 8 ± 8b 8 ± 5b 8 ± 2c
L.palida 87 ± 3a 72 ± 7a 60 ± 0bc 53 ± 5a 52 ± 6a 33 ± 12a 23 ± 9bc
M.stenopetala 83 ± 3ab 73 ± 6a 72 ± 5ab 64 ± 7a 59 ± 10a 47 ± 14a 44 ± 17a
S.eculeta 99 ± 1a 48 ± 10b 40 ± 10cd d d d d
S.sesban 96 ± 4a 45 ± 7b 41 ± 10cd d d d d

Mid-altitude (Sekota /Woleh)

The performance of tree/shrubs in this site was significant across months. The trends in height (Figure 3) and root collar diameter (RCD) (Figure 4) were increased with increasing months. The highest growth in height was recorded for A. senegal (1.32 ± 0.23 m) and the lower height was obtained for M. stenopetala (0.15 ± 0.15 m) at the end of the trial. This might be due to nitrogen fixing ability of the species helps to perform in degraded soil [12]. Similarly, the RCD was higher for J. carcus (3.1 ± 0.2 cm) and the lower value was recorded for G. robusta (0.5 ± 0.3 cm). The performance of A.senegal was higher in survival rate and lower for M. stenopetala at the end of the experimentation 98 ± 2% and 4 ± 4%, respectively. This probably due to A. senegal is one of the species which classified as drought avoider [6], and there was drainage problem during rainy season, which affect the survival ability of M. stenopetala. Along with M. stenopetala does not grow well on waterlogged or swampy areas [13].

forest-research-open-access-species

Figure 3: Growth performance of tree/shrub species in height [m] across months at Woleh. Means with similar letters are not significantly different at (p<0.05).

forest-research-open-access-performance

Figure 4: Growth performance of tree/shrub species in root collar diameter (RCD) across months at Woleh. Means with similar letters are not significantly different at (p<0.05).

Highland site (Lalibela)

The performance of tree/shrubs in growth and survival rate was significant across months (p<0.05). Significantly higher plant height was obtained for A. decurrence (4.0 ± 0.46 m) and the lower height was recorded for A. melanoxylon (2.30 ± 0.1 m) at the end of the experiment. This result is relatively lower with the result of Kindu et al. [14], who found 6.89 m and 3.90 m height growth at 36 months on A. decurrence and A. melanoxylon, respectively. However, C. palmensis was not survived after 21 months. Similarly, the survival rate was decreasing with increasing growing months. The higher survival rate was recorded for A. saligna (63.9 ± 20.0%) and the lower survival rate was recorded for A. decurrence (16.7 ± 4.8%) at the end of the experimentation. except for A. decurrence, there was no significance difference in survival rate among A. saligna, A. melanoxylon, A. abyssinica and E. viminalis at (p<0.05) (Figure 5). In addition, the root collar diameter (RCD) performance of tree/ shrubs was increased with increasing growing months (Table 4). The higher RCD value was found for A. saligna (7.06 ± 0.75 cm) and lower value was obtained under A. melanoxylon (4.18 ± 0.27 cm) at 45 months lifetime (Table 5). This result is similar with the value were found by Tesfaye et al. [15], who found higher root collar diameter for A. saligna in the central highlands of Ethiopia. However, all treatments did not show any significant difference (p<0.05) in RCD at the end of the experiment (Figure 6).

forest-research-open-access-similar

Figure 5: Survival rate (%) performance of tree/shrub species in across months at Lalibela. Means with similar letters are not significantly different at (p<0.05).

forest-research-open-access-species

Figure 6: Growth performance of tree/shrub species in height (m) across months at Lalibela. Means with similar letters are not significantly different at (p<0.05).

Table 4: Survival rate performance of tree/shrub species in percent across months.

Treatments Months
6 12 18 24 33 39 45
Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE
A. senegal 100 ± 0a 100 ± 0a 98 ± 2a 98 ± 2a 98 ± 2a 98 ± 2a 98 ± 2a
C. africana 100 ± 0a 83 ± 14a 85 ± 12a 81 ± 13a 73 ± 9a 69 ± 16abc 67 ± 15ab
G. robusta 85 ± 8a 83 ± 6a 56 ± 17a 47 ± 34a 27 ± 27b 17 ± 17 bc 11 ± 15b
J. carcus 100 ± 0a 88 ± 10a 85 ± 12a 85 ± 12a 85 ± 12a 83 ± 10ab 76 ± 2ab
M. azadarchata 100 ± 0a 98 ± 2a 94 ± 4a 81 ± 10a 56 ± 28ab 56 ± 28 abc 46 ± 23ab
M. stenoptela 83 ± 9a 75 ± 10a 64 ± 4a 48 ± 15a 4 ± 4c 4 ± 4c 4 ± 4b

  

              

Table 5: Growth performance of tree/shrub species in root collar diameter (cm) across months

Treatments Months
6 12 18 33 39 45
A. abyssinica 0.59 ± 0.08ab 0.91 ± 0.10ab 1.67 ± 0.08a 4.01 ± 0.13a 4.47 ± 0.48a 6.11 ± 0.76a
A. decurrence 0.31 ± 0.01b 0.53 ± 0.09bc 0.56 ± 0.20bc 3.31 ± 0.75a 4.38 ± 0.59a 6.55 ± 1.90a
A. melanoxylon 0.65 ± 0.14ab 0.80 ± 0.12abc 1.08 ± 0.21ab 2.80 ± 0.24a 3.44 ± 0.20a 4.18 ± 0.27a
A. saligna 1.15 ± 0.23a 1.37 ± 0.21a 1.55 ± 0.19a 4.06 ± 0.38a 5.04 ± 0.27a 7.06 ± 0.75a
C. palmensis 0.30 ± 0.00b 0.65 ± 0.00c 0.35 ± 00c d d d
E. viminalis 0.71 ± 0.05ab 1.22 ± 0.05ab 1.05 ± 0.11ab 2.54 ± 0.11a 3.54 ± 0.11a 4.24 ± 0.33a

Conclusion and Recommendations

Across agroecological zones, the performance of tree and shrub species were varied in hieght, root collar diameter and survival rate. In the lowland site, better performances observed for L. palida and M. stenoptella in height and RCD, also A. senegal and M. stenoptella in survival rate. Similarly, in the mid altitude, A. senegal in height and survival rate, and J. carcus in RCD, had shown good performances. Also in the highland sites, relatively higher performances were observed for A. deccurence in height, A. saligna in RCD and survival rate at the end of the experimentation. Therefore, to restore degraded lands and to support the on-going land rehabilitation programmes of wag-lasta area, we recommend A. senegal and M. stenoptella for lowland site, A. senegal for mid altitude areas and A. saligna for highland site of lalibela, abergele and sekota and similar agroclimatic zones. However, additional studies regarding soil nutrient dynamics, fostering effect and tree nursing should be integrated to develop sound ecological restoration strategies in the growth corridor as well as in the region.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Amhara agricultural research institute (ARARI), Sekota Dryland Agricultural Research Center (SDARC) for financial and technical support; we extend our gratitude for Lasta woreda, Abergele woreda, Sekota Zuria woreda Agricultural Development office for their support during experimental site selection.

References

  1. Zdruli P, Pagliai M, Kapur S, Cano AF. Land degradation and desertification: Assessment, mitigation and remediation, Springer. 2010.
  2. Hurni H, Abate S, Bantider A, Debele B, Ludi E, Portner B, et al. Land degradation and sustainable land management in the highlands of Ethiopia. 2010.
  3. Mueller EN, Wainwright J, Parsons AJ, Turnbull L. Patterns of land degradation in drylands. Springer, UK. 2014.
  4. Tekle K. Land degradation problems and their implications for food shortage in South Wello, Ethiopia. Environ Manage. 1999;23:419-427.
  5. Desta L, Ilri. Land degradation and strategies for sustainable development in the Ethiopian highlands: Amhara region. International Livestock Research Institute. 2000.
  6. Gebrekirstos A, Teketay D, Fetene M, Mitlohner R. Adaptation of five co-occurring tree and shrub species to water stress and its implication in restoration of degraded lands. Forest Ecol Manag. 2006;229:259-267.
  7. Abebaw L, Alemu T, Kassa L, Dessie T, Legese G. Analysis of goat value chains in Sekota Abergelle district, Northern Ethiopia. 2013.
  8. Deribe B, Taye M. Evaluation of growth performance of abergele goats under traditional management systems in Sekota district, Ethiopia. Pak J Biol Sci. 2013;16:692.
  9. Kiros A, Lazic V, Gigante GE, Gholap A. Analysis of rock samples collected from rock hewn churches of lalibela, Ethiopia using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. J Archaeol Sci 2013;40:2570-2578.
  10. Haile A, Bayu W. Adaptation of indigenous economicaly important multiporpuse trees in lowland of abergele in: annual regional conference on completed research activities Bahirdar, Ethiopia. Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (Arari). 2012:257-261.
  11. Azene BT, Tengnas B. Useful trees and shrubs of Ethiopia: identification, propagation, and management for 17 agroclimatic zones, relma in icraf project. 2007.
  12. Githae EW, Gachene CKK. Soil physicochemical properties under acacia senegal varieties in the dryland areas of Kenya. Afr J Plant Sci. 2011;5:475-482.
  13. Orwa C, Mutua A, Kindt R, Jamnadass R, Simons A. Agroforestree database: a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0. World Agroforestry Centre, Kenya. 2009.
  14. Kindu M, Yohannes T, Glatzel G, Amha Y. Performance of eight tree species in the highland vertisols of central Ethiopia: growth, foliage nutrient concentration and effect on soil chemical properties. New Forests. 2006;32:285-298.
  15. Tesfaye MA, Bravo-Oviedo A, Bravo F, Kidane B, Bekele K,  Sertse  D. Selection of tree species and soil management for simultaneous fuelwood production and soil rehabilitation in the Ethiopian central highlands. Land Degrad Dev. 2015;26:665-679.

Author Info

Melkamu Kasaye*, Getu Abebe, Abrham Abiyu, Menale Wondie and Beyene Belay
 
Amhara Agricultural Research Institute, Sekota Dryland Agricultural Research Centre, Injibara University, Ethiopia
 

Citation: Kasaye M, Abebe G, Abiyu A, Wondie M, Belay B (2020) Selection of Different Trees/Shrubs Species for Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands in Wag-Lasta Area, Northeastern Ethiopia. Fores Res. 9:231. doi: 10. 35248/2168-9776.20.9.231

Received: 26-Jun-2020 Accepted: 24-Jul-2020 Published: 31-Jul-2020 , DOI: 10.35248/2168-9776.20.9.231

Copyright: © Kasaye M, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Top