Management and socioeconomic determinants of woody species diversity in parkland agroforestry in Tembaro District, Southern Ethiopia

Parkland agroforestry farming system is widely practiced by smallholder farmers in semi-arid West and East Africa. Parkland agroforestry plays an important role in product diversification and biodiversity conservation. The study carried out to examine the management and socioeconomic determinants of woody species diversity in parkland agroforestry in Tembaro district, Southern Ethiopia with objectives (i) assess woody species diversity, (ii) identifying farmers management practices and (iii) socioeconomic determinants of woody species diversity in parkland agroforestry. Two administrative kebeles were selected purposively. A total of 120 households were randomly selected for socioeconomic data and woody species inventory. Based on the analysis, 90% of households are males, and 54.2% are in medium wealth class. A total of 27 woody species were recorded in the study area. The Shannon, Simpson and evenness were1.83±0.18, 0.78±0.046 and 0.77±0.07, respectively. Woody species density per quadrate at Waro site (15.58±5.47) was significantly higher than Bechira site (13.47±5.77) (p<0.05). The mean basal area of woody species at Waro was slightly higher (2.52±1.38ha-1) than at Bechira (2.2±1.36ha-1), the difference not statistically significant (p>0.05). At the study sites, farmers retained (planted) woody species in their parkland agroforestry for the purpose of fuel wood, improving soil fertility, fodder, timber, shade, construction, etc. The important socioeconomic determinants influencing woody species richness in the study area were family size, farm size, wealth, education level, access to extension services, and access to the road. The diversity of woody species in parkland agroforestry plays a great role in provisioning and regulation functions.