Factors influencing farmers’ perceptions and practices in woody species conservation in Enemay District, Northwest Ethiopia

Woody species, including trees and shrubs, play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity, supporting rural livelihoods, and promoting sustainable land use. However, information on farmers’ perceptions and the factors influencing woody species conservation remains limited in the Enemay District of northwest Ethiopia. This study investigated farmers’ perceptions, conservation practices, and the socioeconomic and institutional factors influencing woody species conservation. Data were collected between January and June 2022 from 235 households selected through systematic random sampling in three purposively selected kebeles using semi-structured questionnaires. Field observations, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews complemented the household survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, while qualitative information was analyzed thematically. The results showed that 77.8% of respondents expressed negative perceptions regarding the current status of woody species conservation. The most commonly reported conservation practices were plantation establishment (15.7%), home garden agroforestry (15.3%), enforcement of community conservation laws (11.5%), and parkland agroforestry (9.4%). Binary logistic regression identified gender, age, education level, farming experience, access to extension services, credit access, occupation type, and farmland distance as significant determinants of conservation practices ( p < 0.05). The findings suggest that improving farmers’ awareness, strengthening locally relevant extension services, and addressing socioeconomic constraints could enhance woody species conservation in the study area.