Abstract:
Background:Ethiopia encompasses an extraordinary number of ecological zones and plant diversity. However, the
diversity of plants is highly threatened due to lack of institutional capacity, population pressure, land degradation
and deforestation. An adequate documentation of these plants also has not been conducted. The farmers in
Ethiopia face serious and growing food insecurity caused by drought, land degradation and climate change. Thus,
rural communities are dependent on underutilized wild edible plants to meet their food and nutritional needs.
Hence, this study was conducted to examine the distribution, diversity, role, management condition and associated
traditional knowledge of underutilized wild edible plants with a focus on woody plants in the Chilga District,
northwestern Ethiopia.
Methods:A questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews, preference and direct matrix rankings, a market
survey and focused group discussion methods were employed for data collection. Data were collected from 96
respondents. A plant inventory was also conducted on 144 quadrates in two agroecologies and in three uses. Both
quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods were used. Statistical Analysis System (SAS) version 9.0 was used
for statistical analysis. Analysis of Variance (P<0.05) was used to compare diversity indices and species richness
between agroecologies and among kebeles.
Results:Thirty-three underutilized wild edible plants were recorded in the study area. Of the recorded plants, 45%
were trees. Fruits (76%) were the most frequently used plant parts. More than half of the respondents (56.3% in the
midland and 66.7% in the lowland area) consumed underutilized wild edible plants for supplementing staple food.
Underutilized wild edible plant citation of the poor was significantly higher (P<0.05) than medium and rich classes.
Underutilized wild edible plants in the study area were threatened by agricultural expansion, overharvesting for fuel
wood and construction, and by overgrazing. However, these plants have been given minimum conservation
attention.
Conclusions:Thirty-three underutilized wild edible plants were recorded in the study area. The community
consumes underutilized wild edible plants for supplementing staple food, filling food gaps and for recreation. The
local community applies only some management practices to some wild edible plants. Therefore, special
management is needed to sustain the benefits of these plants.
