Review on Woody Species and Socio-Economic Roles of Traditional Agroforestry Practices in Ethiopia

Abstract

The indigenous knowledge of deliberate maintenance of diverse plant species on farmers’ managed landscape characterizes different forms of traditional agroforestry systems in Ethiopia. Nonetheless, very little of this knowledge has been recorded in the country. These review woody plants maintained in different forms of traditional agroforestry practices with respect to conservation and rehabilitation of biodiversity and their biophysical and socio-economic roles and benefits to household. In Ethiopia, countries are located in different agro-ecological zones (lowland (1540-1680 masl), transitional zone (1680-1800 masl), mid-altitude (2100-2300 masl) and highland (2740-2800 masl). Relatively, more species richness and low evenness was observed in the mid-altitude. Farmers deliberately retained tree/shrub species on their farms for multiple uses and to optimize production of crop and livestock and ultimately for their socio- economic and livelihood development. Diversity and significance of woody species uses are variable from one agro- ecology to another. Generally, the traditional agroforestry practices are rich in indigenous tree/shrub species. Keywords: