The dry land woodlands in Ethiopia possess diverse tree species that are known for their valuable non-timber forest products (NTFPs). The study was carried out in three districts namely Kafta Humera (Adi-Goshu), Metema (Lemlem-Terara) and Sherkole (Gemed). A total of 24 species were recorded across the three study sites. The average number of stems per hectare across the sites was 276 and the average basal area was estimated to be 9.33 m2 ha-1. Based on their population structures, the woodland species can be categorized as Group I contained species with a progressively declining numbers of trees with increasing diameter in Gemed site and Group II was comprised of both Adi-Goshu and Lemlem-Terara sites with a bell-shaped or irregular distribution. In addition, Boswellia papyrifera is known to occur in various parts of Ethiopia including Tigray, Amhara and Benshangul Gumuz regions. Therefore, the total production of gum olibanum and gum arabic in the three sites was recorded approximately 12,112.98 tons with the net income of 129.34 million Birr since 1999. Therefore, Ethiopia will be more benefited from the export of these products, provided efforts are made to develop and manage these resources in a sustainable way.

Authors: Alemu, B.; Eshetu, Z.; Garedew, E.; Kassa, H.

Subjects: dry forests, nontimber forest products, species diversity

Publication type: Journal Article, Non-ISI, Publication

Year: 2015

ISSN: 2315-8751