Abstract:
Adansonia digitata L. (African baobab) is one of the most important NTFPs in the
lowland area. However, currently in the lowland of Ethiopia the species is
underutilized. The structure and abundance of the species, the current management and
regeneration status of the species as well as its traditional use is not investigated and
documented in different parts of the country. This study was conducted in Quara district
of West Gondar zone to generate information on the abundance, population structure,
management, regeneration status and traditional uses of A.digitata L. for local
community. To measure dbh, height and grown diameter of A.digitata L., a total of six
plots that measure 1000m*100m and five plots 500m*100m that were selected
randomly at the topography map of forest, agricultural and homestead landuse type
respectively. About 10 and 5 randomly selected sub-plots that measure 25 X 25 were
employed to record name and number of coexisting woody plant species and measure
their dbh at the forest and agricultural landuses, respectively. Numbers of regeneration
were counted in five sub-sub plots that measure 5 X 5m and placed at each corner and
center of the selected sub-plots. To document uses of A.digitata L. in three ethnic
groups (Gumuz, Amhara and Agaw) in the study area were selected using multi-stage
sampling technique. Totally 101 households and 18 participants were interviewed and
discussed using open and closed ended questioners. Diversity of the vegetation was
determined using different type of diversity indices. The densities of A.digitata L. in all
landuse types were determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The regeneration
status of woody plant species were evaluated based on the number of seedlings
and saplings per hectare. Quantitative socio-economic data were analyzed using Chisquare
test and qualitative data were summarized through narrations. The result
showed that homestead (2.24+ 2.06) and agricultural (1.57+ 1.27) landuse types had
higher A.digitata L. density than forest landuse type (0.32 + 0.41) but statically it was
not significantly different(P>0.05). A.digitata L. was highly associated with
Combretum-Terminalia, Ziziphus and Acacia tree species. Seven main uses of
A.digitata L. products (Food, Sale, Medicine, Fiber, Fodder, Soil fertility and Niche for
bees) were documented among three ethnic groups in Quara district. In general, there
were no more appropriate existed silvicultural management practices and no
regeneration of A.digitata L. in the study area.
