Abstract
In the Northern-Ethiopian highlands, deforestation and subsequent soil erosion have led to serious environmental degradation. High fuel wood demand and livestock grazing pressure continue causing further deterioration of the scarce forest resources. Low-cost forest rehabilitation is one of many essential factors needed to attain sustainable livelihood in the region. Seed dispersal from isolated forest fragments into adjacent degraded lands can improve natural forest regeneration, but basic knowledge on indigenous forest ecology is lacking. This paper classifies forest remnants in Central-Tigray and evaluates their potential as seed sources. Environmental and floristic data were assessed in 10 forest remnants and analysed with multivariate techniques (TWINSPAN, DCCA). Five forest types with distinct tree associations were identified. Soil available phosphorus, stoniness, water and topographic position determine forest typology. Fertile, deep valley soils support Montane Evergreen Riparian High Forest and its degraded phase. Steep Hillside Woodland dominates stony slopes with inferior growing conditions. Shallow, nutrient-poor plateau soils support Degraded Montane Savanna Woodland and river banks Degraded Riparian Scrub. Forest remnants are relatively vital. High abundance of wind and animal dispersed trees enables direct forest expansion if the surrounding lands are properly managed. Establishment of closed areas (grazing exclosures) should therefore be concentrated around the forest remnants.
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Claims 8
Claim · model-written summary
Five forest types with distinct tree associations were identified.
Verbatim
e0“Five forest types with distinct tree associations were identified.”
Claim · model-written summary
Soil phosphorus, stoniness, water and topography determine forest typology.
- Taxon
- foreste0
- Outcome
- forest typologye0
- Setting
- Soil available phosphorus, stoniness, water and topographic positione0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Soil available phosphorus, stoniness, water and topographic position determine forest typology.”
Claim · model-written summary
Fertile deep valley soils support Montane Evergreen Riparian High Forest.
- Taxon
- Montane Evergreen Riparian High Foreste0
- Outcome
- support Montane Evergreen Riparian High Forest and its degraded phasee0
- Setting
- Fertile, deep valley soilse0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Fertile, deep valley soils support Montane Evergreen Riparian High Forest and its degraded phase.”
Claim · model-written summary
Steep Hillside Woodland dominates stony slopes.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Steep Hillside Woodland dominates stony slopes with inferior growing conditions.”
Claim · model-written summary
Shallow nutrient poor plateau soils support Degraded Montane Savanna Woodland.
- Taxon
- Degraded Montane Savanna Woodlande0
- Outcome
- support Degraded Montane Savanna Woodlande0
- Setting
- Shallow, nutrient-poor plateau soilse0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Shallow, nutrient-poor plateau soils support Degraded Montane Savanna Woodland and river banks Degraded Riparian Scrub.”
Claim · model-written summary
River banks support Degraded Riparian Scrub.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“river banks Degraded Riparian Scrub”
Claim · model-written summary
Wind and animal dispersed trees are abundant in remnants.
Verbatim
e0“High abundance of wind and animal dispersed trees enables direct forest expansion if the surrounding lands are properly managed.”
Claim · model-written summary
Grazing exclosures should be concentrated around forest remnants.
Verbatim
e0“Establishment of closed areas (grazing exclosures) should therefore be concentrated around the forest remnants.”