Anthropogenic and Natural Threats of Acacia Tortilis in Central Zone of Tigray, North Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in central zone of Tigray at Tanqua Abergelle Wereda in a specific site called Sheka Tekli. It is common to observe a number of acacia tortilis being uprooted and debarked by the residents of the area and hence, an investigation was held to identify the causes of the problem. From the field observations, the reason for uprooting of big acacia tortilis was found due to unbalancing of the extended canopy of the tree. When the canopy load is heavy to one side, it exposes to uprooting from wind effects and this was what has been observed from the field. Moreover,   it was able to investigate that residents of the area intentionally debark the tree and the reason was to use it for fuel wood after drying.  Even beyond this, there are some people who debarks the tree for different purposes without knowing its consequence on existence of the tree. Hence, environmentalists, policy makers and other concerned bodies should give due emphasis for saving and maintaining of these keystone species.

Keywords: Acacia tortilis, Canopy, Debarking, Uprooting, Keystone species