Vegetation Dynamics of Area Enclosure Practices: A Case of Gonder Zuria District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Land degradation is one of the major critical challenges facing human beings in agricultural production and sustainable development in many parts of Ethiopia. Strategies for the rehabilitation of those degraded areas are urgently needed before conditions become irreversible. Area Enclosures has been the commonly practiced strategy for the rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands and other environmental problems. The objective of this study was to investigate woody vegetation changes after area enclosure intervention in one of the highly degraded area North Gondar, Gondar Zuria District, Das-dinzaz kebele. The main purpose of the study was to analyze changes of woody species composition and diversity. Totally 64 circular sample plots, having 314m² area each were systematically sampled using transect lines laid along altitudinal gradient on both enclosures and adjacent open areas. The result revealed that altogether 46 species belonging to 24 families were identified in the enclosure site. A total of 43 and 22 woody species belonging to 24 and 14 families were recorded among different enclosures and adjacent open sites, respectively. Compared to the adjacent open areas, enclosed areas hosted larger species richness. Relatively higher Shannon diversity indices in the enclosures indicate the better species diversity in the enclosures than in the open site.  The result of the study suggests that area enclosure practices can rehabilitate and restore woody species of degraded lands if adequately protected from interferences.

Keywords: enclosure practices, woody species, composition, diversity, Ethiopia.