Factors Affecting Survival of Tree Seedlings in the Drylands of Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

The major factors that affect the survival of tree seedlings in the drylands of Northern Ethiopia were studied using questionnaire which was administered to a total of 225 randomly selected farmers. Drought and moisture stress problem was perceived by 78.3% of the respondents; 58.6% of the respondents noted that low soil fertility as the main factor; 42.5% of the respondents acknowledge that termites are most importantly affecting the survival of tree seedlings. In addition, 25.2% of the respondents observed that livestock affected survival of tree seedlings mainly because of grazing and trampling. These results indicate that drought and moisture stress, low soil fertility, termites and grazing by livestock can significantly hinder the survival of tree seedlings on degraded lands of the study area. Therefore, proper allocation of species into the site is needed to address the problem and improve the forest development.

Keywords: Seedlings, growth, survival, moisture stress