Impacts of participatory forest management on forest conditions: Evidences from Gebradima Forest, southwest Ethiopia. (16th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tadesse, Solomon; Woldetsadik, Muluneh; Senbeta, Feyera
• Is Part Of: Journal of sustainable forestry. Volume 35:Number 8(2016)
• Page Start: 604
• Page End: 622
• Publication Date: 2016-11-16
• Subjects: Ethiopia -- forest conditions -- Gebradima Forest -- participatory forest management; Sustainable forestry -- Periodicals; 634.905
• DOI: 10.1080/10549811.2016.1236279
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1054-9811

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study examines a participatory forest management program and its impacts on forest conditions in Gebradima Forest, southwest Ethiopia. Vegetation data were collected from both participatory forest management (PFM) and nonparticipatory forest management (non-PFM) forest blocks. A total of 54 plots (27 from each forest block) measuring 20 m × 20 m were employed to collect species composition and structural data. Results indicated that a total of 51 different woody plant species (49 at PFM and 43 at non-PFM blocks), representing 31 families were recorded, with 41 species were shared for both forest sites. Species diversity and evenness were higher in the forest with PFM (H´ = 3.29, E = .85) compared to the forest without PFM (H´ = 2.97, E = .79). The overall mean values of tree/shrub and seedling density per hectare, diameter class (≤ 20 cm) were also significantly ( p < .05) higher in PFM forest than non-PFM forests. However, no significant variations were observed in sapling density per hectare and basal area between the two studied forest blocks. It can be concluded that PFM had a positive effect on forest conditions compared with a similar forest without PFM. Hence, it is important to scaling up PFM in neighboring forests.