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Ethiopian Journal of Biodiversity - EthJBD
Vol 5 - No 2
Postharvest food loss is significant in developing countries like Ethiopia, contributing to food insecurity. To address this issue, it is essential to leverage indigenous knowledge and practices related to food processing, preservation, and storage. This study assessed indigenous food preservation techniques among rural household heads in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 384 household heads were randomly selected and consented to collect data via structured questionnaires and observational checklists. The results indicated that 61.5% of respondents regularly preserve raw foods, 20.6% preserve cooked foods, and 16.7% preserve perishable items. The most commonly employed preservation methods were sun drying (33%), salting (23%), heating (18%), packing (9%), cooling (7%), fermentation (6%), and smoking (4%). Chi-square tests revealed significant associations between cooked food preservation and demographic factors such as sex, age, education, occupation, and monthly income (p < .005). Similar associations were observed for raw and perishable foods, highlighting the influence of demographics on preservation practices. The study reveals a significant association between food preservation practices and demographic characteristics. Sun drying, salting, and heating were the most prevalent methods for food preservation in the study area. A significant portion of participants did not practice food preservation methods, indicating the need for education and awareness. Indigenous food preservation methods within cultural context are vital to reduce postharvest food losses and ensure food security. Efforts should be made to promote traditional practices, which not only enhance food preservation but also contribute to cultural heritage and food security.
Keywords: Ethiopia, Food, Indigenous knowledge, Preservation, Wolaita.
The impact of climate change on coffee sector and adaptation response is well documented. However, by large literature ignored the contribution of coffee agroforestry practices to carbon sequestration and improvement of production and ecological service. This study estimates the litter and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock contribution of coffee agroforestry and its implication to climate change mitigation. The coffee agroforestry of the study area which covered 261 hectares was divided into three shade cover types: monoculture, intermediate and dense. The carbon sequestration in litter and soil samples collected from each plot’s centers were analyzed using titration method based on Walkley and Black methods. Regression equations were used to estimate litter and SOC stock. The result revealed that the carbon stored varies significantly across the shades. The litter pool monoculture shade stored 4.94 ± 1.00 MgCha-1, the intermediate shade cover stored 6.83 ± 0.73 MgCha-1 and the dense shade cover stored 7.71 ± 0.45 MgCha-1. Likewise, the soil pool carbon stored in monoculture, intermediate and dense shade covers was 29.07 ± 8.48 Mg ha-1, 48.20 ± 4.10 MgCha-1 and 61.86 ± 7.14 MgCha-1 respectively. The SOC value was larger than the litter carbon in all shade categories. In both cases the highest carbon store was witnessed in the densely shade covers. Coffee agroforestry system is amongst climate change mitigation options with high potential to sequester carbon in the agricultural sector and play a crucial role to enhance the co-existence of ecosystem elements, increase production and services; hence, it should be promoted.
Keywords: Climate change mitigation, Coffee agroforestry, Litter, Soil organic carbon.Land-use changes cause unique threats to biodiversity. Ensuring sustainable land use planning has a vital role in the successful implementation of biodiversity conservation. Hence, this study aimed to assess the change of woody species diversity and structure associated with land-use change in Gara Muleta, Eastern Ethiopia. For this study, four adjacent land uses, i.e., protected natural forest (PNF), disturbed forest (DF), plantation (PF), and cropland (CL), were considered. A total of 56 square plots having 35m x 35m size with nested plots of 25m x 25m, 7m x 7m, and 1m x 1m were laid systematically for trees with DBH > 50cm, for trees and shrubs for DBH ranges 20-50 cm, for shrubs and for herbs respectively. Shannon index, Simpson’s diversity index, Jaccard’s similarity, and Importance value Index were analyzed among land use types. One-way ANOVA was used to estimate the mean difference among the land use at p < 0.05 using R software version 4.1.0. The result of this study revealed that H’=3.5, H’=2.5, H’=1.6, and H’=1.4 were recorded in the PNF, DF, CL, and PF respectively. This implies that converting natural forests into plantations and cropland and disturbing them leads to a significant loss of woody species diversity and disturbs normal forest structures. Hence, the synergy approach to the landscape, which could be the maintenance of biodiversity requires conservation activities that ensure sustainable uses of the forest and its products. Thus, halting land-use change is important to achieve effective conservation activity.
Keywords: Basal Area, Disturbed forest, Important Value Index, Species richness.
In Ethiopia medicinal plants play a significant role in animal health management. This study was conducted to assess and document medicinal plants used to treat animal ailments in the Moretna Jiru district. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 210 informants through semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and field walks. A total of 25 medicinal plants representing 25 genera and 18 families were used to treat 18 animal ailments. The family Solanaceae (17.54%) was the most represented followed by Asteraceae (15.65%), and Polygonaceae (9.04%). Shrubs (63.43%) were the dominant growth forms followed by herbs (28.34%). Most of the medicinal plants were harvested from the wild (55.74%), from both wild and home gardens (24.70%) and home gardens (19.57%). Leaves (48.08%) were frequently used followed by roots (32.93%), and seeds (10.93%). Allium sativum L., and Artemisia abyssinica Sch. Bip were the preferred plant for treating the evil eye. Major ailments treated included evil eye (18.08%), leech infestation (13.36%), and blackleg (9.72%). Remedies were primarily administered orally (56.95%), followed by dermal (15.65%), neck application (15.38%), and ocular routes (6.48%). Climate change, agricultural land expansion, deforestation, and droughts are the major threats to medicinal plants. Indigenous knowledge was declining due to culture shifts, and lack of interest of the younger generations. Cultivation of some medicinal plants was the only conservation effort observed in the study area. Thus, conservation efforts in the area remain insufficient, and urgent actions are needed to protect medicinal plant biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge systems.
Keywords: Animal, Ethnoveterinary, Indigenous knowledge, Medicinal plants, Moretna Jiru
Climate change poses a significant environmental challenge and has widespread impacts on human and natural ecosystems. Vertebrates, especially birds and amphibians, are crucial indicators and components of these ecosystems. However, they are being adversely affected by rapid climate changes, putting them at high risk of extinction. This paper examines the impact of climate change on various vertebrate taxa, focusing on mammals, birds, and herpetofauna. It highlights the specific vulnerabilities of these taxa to climatic stressors and the potential consequences for their survival and distribution. Additionally, it evaluates the implications of these impacts for conservation efforts and offers insights to inform the development of effective management plans and mitigation strategies. By synthesizing the latest research and findings, the paper aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between climate change and vertebrate species. It emphasizes the urgency of addressing these challenges and underscores the importance of developing proactive, science-based conservation approaches to safeguard vulnerable vertebrate populations and maintain biodiversity in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
Keywords: Climate change, Conservation, Vertebrates, Wildlife