Biodiversity Management within the Agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone, Southeast Ethiopia

Biodiversity Management within the Agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone, Southeast Ethiopia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Biodiversity Management within the Agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone, Southeast Ethiopia Adugna Babu, Kitessa Hunderra, Tibebu Alemu This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2651018/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The main objective of this study was to assess biodiversity management practices within the agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone of Southeastern Ethiopia. Four Woredas namely, Wondo, Adaba, Kokossa and Nensebo were purposively selected based on their conservation and diversification practices. The Primary data collection methods like questionnaires, Focus group discussion, and key informant interview and field observation were used to identify the biodiversity conservation practices, especially, the vegetation diversity and the livestock management practices within the agroecosystem. Books, reports and articles were used as secondary sources of information to support the study. Diversity indices, Shannon diversity index and Evenness index were used to identify the vegetation diversity based on the three dominant land use practices homegarden, field crops and grazing land. To sum up, Least significance Difference (LSD) test at 0.05 was used to identify the vegetation diversity per land uses and households and also to check significant level among the household respondents. Therefore, SPSS (version 21) was implemented to assess the diversity of plants and animals within the agroecosystem of the study areas. The result of the study indicates that there was significant different among the Woredas (P < 0.05) regarding vegetation diversity per land uses and households. Based on the field experiments, homegarden is the most land use category having different diversity of vegetation (H׳=4.77) followed by field crops (H׳=4.06).From equity perspective, the homegarden vegetation of the agroecosystem is also the most evenly distributed (J׳=0.99) followed by grazing land (J׳=0.98).From the four Woredas, the highest vegetation diversity was recorded in Wondo Woreda, particularly, in homegarden (20.86 ± 3.85), while the lowest vegetation diversity was recorded in the homegarden of the Nensebo Woreda (7.38 ± 0.644). However, the Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of vegetation diversity within the grazing land (13.774 ± 1.54) followed by the Nensebo Woreda (9.8723 ± 1.115). There is also significant variation (P < 0.005) among the Woredas regarding the livestock holding per households. For instance, Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of cattle population per households (12.495 ± 4.633) followed by the Adaba Woreda (8.043 ± 2.86).Since the agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone is full of animal and vegetation diversity, all concerned stakeholders should give due attention for the area to get greater output of production. Biodiversity Management Agroecosystem Land Uses West Arsi Zone Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction There is a growing realization worldwide that biodiversity is fundamental to agricultural production and food security, as well as a valuable ingredient of environmental conservation. Throughout centuries, generations of farmers have developed complex, diverse and locally adapted agricultural systems, managed with time tested ingenious practices that often lead to community food security and the conservation of biodiversity (Altieri and Nicholls, 2005 ). A decline in agricultural productivity due in large extent to resource degradation and increasing public awareness has led the countries to consider biodiversity conservation in agricultural planning (Varela, 2001 ).Yet, predominant patterns of agricultural growth have eroded biodiversity in, for example, plant genetic resources, livestock, insects and soil organisms. This erosion has caused economic loss, jeopardizing productivity and food security, and leading to broader social costs. Equally alarming is the loss of biodiversity in natural habitats from the expansion of agricultural production to frontier areas. Agricultural management systems are highly dependent on interactions with their surrounding ecosystems. Thus, sustainable use of plant and animal genetic resources should involve the conservation of agricultural biodiversity as an integral component of sustainable management practice (Aigner, 2010). Innovative biodiversity-rich farming systems can potentially be high-yielding and sustainable, and thus, support persistence of biodiversity by limiting the adverse effects of modern mono-cropping agriculture. Adoption of sustainable farming practices that utilize and conserve biodiversity may ultimately improve environmental quality and limit agricultural expansion into natural forests as well as the negative impacts of agriculture on biodiversity (Khumalo et al., 2011 ). Hence, there is a compelling case for advocating conservation that is in tandem with livelihood needs of the people affected. In this regard, the systems have been advocated as a suitable pathway for improved livelihoods as it also impinges on biodiversity in working landscapes through incorporation of additional species in to agriculture. Agroecosystems are communities of plants and animals interacting with their physical and chemical environments (Jabbar et al, 2000 ) that have been modified by people to produce food, fibres, fuel and other products for human consumption and processing (FAO, 2019 ).The conservation of biodiversity across different land uses including homegarden, agricultural field and grassing land are currently getting due attention in tropical areas (Perfecto and Vandermeer, 2018 ). Homegarden is home for different trees and shrubs, vegetables, fruits, tubers and cereals (Tesfaye, 2005) .Agricultural fields also harbor the variety of cereals, vegetables and trees and shrubs too. In addition to cultivation of crops, farmers also prefer to manage certain plants species in their farmlands (Aigner, 2010; Girma, 2019 ). Grassing land, on the other hand, is the source of different grass species, trees and shrubs help maintain biodiversity (Altieri, 2015 ; Tolera et al., 2019 ). Practices that conserve, sustainably use and enhance biodiversity are necessary at all levels in farming systems, and are of critical importance for food production, livelihood security, health and the maintenance of ecosystems (Amend et al., 2008 ;Thrupp,2000). Many people say that local knowledge and culture are also integral parts of agricultural biodiversity, because it is the human activity of agriculture which conserves biodiversity through sustainable use (Cromwell, 1999 ). Ethiopia is also known as one of the home of agroecosystem (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, 2007; 2014a; 2014b). The country is rich in faunal and floral diversity (Edwards et al,1995;Husen et.al, 2012 ).The flora of Ethiopia is estimated to be between 6,500 and 7,000 species, of which 10–12 percent is considered to be endemic (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, 2007). According to CSA (2014), Ethiopia is the first by endowing large number of livestock population and diversity in Africa. The country has about 55 million cattle, 28 million goats, 27 million sheep, 1.1 million camels, 2 million horses, 7 million donkeys and 51 million chickens. The livestock population is almost entirely composed of indigenous animal species. The existence of diverse farming systems, socio-economics, cultures and agro-ecologies has endowed Ethiopia with a diverse biological wealth of plants, animals, and microbial species, especially crop diversity (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, 2007; 2012). The country is one of the Centers of crop origin and diversity (Husen et.al, 2012 ) and harbors globally importance crops like sorghum, Guizotia abyssinica, millet, Arabica coffee, durum wheat and teff are among others (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute,2007;2014a;2014b). The country harbors important gene pools of crop wild relatives for at least over 120 species of crops, including grains, pulses, oil seeds, vegetables, tubers, fruits, spices, stimulants, fibers, dyes and medicinal plants. In addition, several crops that were domesticated outside of East Africa exhibit high secondary diversification in Ethiopia, as evidenced in farmer varieties of wheat, barley, and several pulses (Ethiopian Panel on Climate Change, 2015 ). For coffee genetic resources distribution, Taye (2010) as cited in Ethiopian Panel on Climate Change, ( 2015 ) reported that there are about 21,407 coffee germplasm (10,573 arabica, 8,000 robusta, 1,282 mascaro and 1,552 arabica or robusta in Cameroon) in the different field gene banks of some African countries, of which around 89.85% is found in Ethiopia. Ethiopia alone possesses around 99.8% of total Arabica coffee genetic diversity. In the same way, the west Arsi zone is one of the conducive areas of production and has long years of experiences of farming systems. The zone is known by cultivation of different varieties of crops, diversity of vegetation species and small scale production of animals. The dominant land uses of the zone within the agroecosystem are homegarden, field crops and grazing land. The zone has several years of experiences in conservation of biodiversity, particularly, plants and animals, in each land use category. The objective of the study is, therefore, to understand biodiversity management practices within the agroecosystem of the Zone. Materials And Methods 3.1. Description of the Study area 3.1.1. Location West Arsi zone is located in Oromia National Regional state and shares boundary with east Shewa zone to the north, SNNSRS to the west and south, Arsi to the northeast, Guji to the Southeast and Bale Zone to the East. Shashemene town is the administrative center of the zone. It is located at 250km from Addis Ababa and the total area of the zone is 12,556km 2 . West Arsi zone is located in the Rift Valley Region. The zone lies between 60 ⁰ 12'29" to 70 ⁰ 42'55"latitude and 38 ⁰ 004'04" to 39 ⁰ 046'08" longitude. The zone has 12 districts, 4 urban administrative, 332 peasant associations. The zone is home for three lakes (Langano, Lake Shalla and Abjata) and Kaka mountain is one of the largest mountains in Oromia next to Tullu Dimtu and Chilalo.It is the best ecosystem of Afro alpine vegetation. Population According to the Agricultural Office of the West Arsi Zone ( 2019 ), the total population of the zone is estimated to be 1, 964, 038 that mean 973,743 are men and 990,295 women. The Oromo (88.52%) and the Amhara (3.98%) are the two largest ethnic groups in the zone; while all other ethnic groups consist of 7.5% of the population. Afan Oromo is spoken as a first language by 87.34% of the population and 6.46% spoke Amharic; the remaining 6.2% spoke all other their primary languages. The majority of the inhabitants are Muslim, with 80.34% of the population, while 11.04% of the population are followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and 7.02% of the population are categorized under Protestantism. Agroecology The West Arsi zone has the three common traditional agroecology zones namely, highland (2300- 3200masl), midland (1500 to 2300masl) and lowland (500 to 1500masl) areas. The altitude of the zone generally ranges from 500 meters above sea level (masl) to 3200masl.Altitudinally, the highland areas (locally known as Dega or Badaa ) covers 45.5% of the zone, whereas 39.6% of the zone midland ( Woinadega or Badadaree ) and the remaining 14.9% the zone is categorized under lowland hot and arid climate ( Kola or Gamojjii ). Most parts of the zone have elevations of ranging from 1500 to over 3200m.The annual average temperature of the zone ranges from 15°C to 20°C (Agricultural Office of the West Arsi Zone, 2019 ). The zone has three distinct seasons. Meher season (ganna ), which contributes major rainfall from June to mid of September. The Meher mean annual rainfall ranges from 800 mm to 1400 mm. Belg season (Arfaasaa ) is the small rainy season of the zone from February to May. 31% and 56% of the zone’s rain fall amount is from Belg and Meher respectively . Meher is the main production season in the country and in the zone in particular. The Bega season ( Bona ) is the dry season of the year from October to January. Socio-economic Activities The major economic activities of the rural area are mixed farming in which cultivation of crops and animal production is practiced side by side. The most commonly produced crops in the zone include barley, wheat, sorghum, teff, maize, haricot beans, horse bean, field peas, linseeds, tomatoes, cabbage, potato, pepper, root crops, tuber crops, and coffee and enset. The zone is also known by the rearing of animals including cattle, equines (donkey, horse, and mule) and small ruminants, particularly, the production of sheep is the most common activities in the highland areas of the zone. The zone has also different woody species, trees and shrubs. Research Design The west Arsi zone is full of different ethnic groups who occupied the area from different regions of the country. The communities live together and share different experiences with regard to agricultural practices and management of natural resources .Besides, the local peoples, there are also other communities who occupied the rural areas of the zone as migrant from other areas of the country, particularly from, Sidama and Walaita zones, Eastern and Western Haraghe and some are also from Amhara Regional National state, specifically from Wollo, Gojjam and Gonder. The whole communities are generally engaged in three land use practices namely, agricultural field (field crops), homegarden and grazing lands are prominent. Meher (ganna ) is the major rainfall and production season. Belg season (Arfaasaa ) is the small rainy season of the zone. Even if there are many religions, majority of the communities are the followers of Muslim. In this study, both household based cross-sectional design and field based cross sectional design were used to gather reliable data pertaining to timeframe work. Household based cross-sectional design was used to investigate the plant and animal diversity managed based on the three land uses (Homegarden, Field crops and Grazing Land) in the agroecosystem of the study areas. Field based cross sectional design was implemented to identify and quantify the type of plant and animal species that the different communities manage within the agroecosystem of the zone. Furthermore, descriptive research design was implemented to describe the state of management of biodiversity within the agroecosystem. Sample Size Determination If populations are large, it is important to implement a representative sample for proportions for the study under consideration. To meet the appropriate sample size, the model developed by Cochran ( 1963 :75) was implemented. $$n =\frac{{Z}^{2} pq }{{e}^{2}}$$ Which is valid where n is the sample size, Z 2 is the value of the standard variate at a given confidence level (confidence level, e.g., 95%) table showing area under normal curve,e is the desired level of precision, p is the estimated proportion of an attribute that is present in the population, and q is 1-p. The value for Z is found in statistical tables which contain the area under the normal curve. Therefore, $$n =\frac{{\left(1.96\right)}^{2} \left(0.5\right). \left(0.5 \right) }{{\left(0.05\right)}^{2}} =384 \text{h}\text{o}\text{u}\text{s}\text{e}\text{h}\text{o}\text{l}\text{d}\text{s}$$ Household respondents were proportionally selected from each kebele based on the decided sample size (Table 1 ). Table 1 Proportionally sampled household respondents Study woredas Kebeles Total HHs Proportionally sampled HHs Wondo Gotu Onama 1500 71 Shasha 1250 59 Kokossa Gutu 1050 50 Garbarufa 920 43 Adaba Ejersa 1390 65 Furuna 1033 49 Nensebo Gemechu 550 26 Garambamo 440 21 Total HHs 8133 384 Sampling Techniques In order to select the determined sample of the households, the researcher used multistage sampling techniques. First, the researcher used the purposive sampling techniques to select the woredas that clearly own the three dominant land uses namely homegarden, field crops and grazing land from the agroecosystem of the West Arsi zone. Accordingly, the Kokossa, Adaba, Wondo and Nensebo woredas were purposively selected. To sum up, simple random sampling technique was used to select the study kebeles from each woreda. Then after, systematic sampling technique was used to select the n th household based on the proportionally decided sample of the respondents per kebele. Data Collection Instruments Generally, the researcher used both primary and secondary data collection tools to generate facts about the study. Both primary and secondary data collection tools was implemented. Primary Data collection In this section, the primary data collection techniques such as questionnaires, observation, focus group discussion, key informant interview and field based data collection was used to identify the diversity of plant and animal species that the different communities manage within the agroecosystem. Both close –ended and open –ended forms of questionnaires were used to investigate the species that the different communities manage in the agroecosystems of west Arsi zone. Sixteen focus group discussion sessions, that means two focus group discussion sessions per each kebele which include six to eight members was held to identify the plant and animal species of the agroecosystem. Key informant interview was also held to examine the species that the different communities manage. Furthermore, field observation was used to clarify the plant and animal species of the agroecosystem. Secondary Data collection Different published journals and books, manuals, reports and documents from the Woredas administrative Offices were referred to generate secondary data pertaining to the management of biodiversity within the agroecosystems of the study areas. Assessments of Vegetation Diversity The different communities of the agroecosystem of the West Arsi zone generally engage in three land use practices namely field crops, homegarden and grazing. All vegetation diversity including woody species, shrubs and crops was assessed through the following procedures. Vegetation data from the three land use practices was collected based on some procedures from the four woredas. Two kebeles which are full of different ethnic groups from each woreda and totally eight kebeles were considered to assess vegetation species. Therefore, considering the land use systems, the researcher aligned four transect lines having 500m intervals in eight kebeles namely Gotu Onama and Shasha kebeles from Wondo Woreda; Gutu and Garbarufa from Kokossa Woreda; Ejersa and Furuna from Adaba Woreda and Gemechu and Garambamo from Nensebo Woreda. Four quadrats were laid at an interval of 200m. Hence, 16 quadrats in each selected Kebele, that means, 5 quadrats in field crops and 5 quadrats in grazing land and 6 quadrats in homegarden and an entire of 128 quadrats were laid to assess vegetation diversity. First, samples of vegetation species were collected and recorded in their local names. Then, the name of vegetation species was changed in to scientific name through considering different references like tree species reference and selection (Salim et al,2002), useful trees and shrubs of Ethiopia (Azene,2007) and Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Field based expert was assigned in case of challenges to identify some species. Diameters at breast height (DBH) for all woody species ≥ 5 cm was measured using a caliper or diameter tape and that of coffee was exceptionally measured at 15 cm aboveground (Segura et al, 2006). A quadrat size of 20 × 20m (400m 2 ) was used to assess woody species having diameter ≥ 5 cm (Hernandez et al.2004). Within this plot five subplots of quadrat size 5 × 5m, at four corners and in the center, was aligned to assess sapling having diameter of 1–5 cm. Within each subplot, again a small five plot of 2 × 2m was aligned in each corner and center for seedling assessment for diameter < 1 cm (Hernandez et al.2004). Methods of Data Analysis Descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviation was implemented to analyze quantitative data, particularly, the vegetation diversity and livestock ownership per household respondents within the agroecosystems. The qualitative data was also analyzed through content analysis in which the contents of questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussion were carefully described and interpreted. Furthermore, Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at 0.05 significant level was used to compare if any significant difference among households pertaining to the vegetation diversity within the agroecosystem and the number of livestock per households. Therefore, SPSS (version 21 ) was implemented to assess the diversity of plants and animals within the agroecosystem of the study areas. To sum up, different diversity indices were used to identify the diversity of vegetation species within the agroecosystem of the Zone. Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (𝐻’): It computes species evenness and abundance. The number of species and evenness portion of individuals among the species are the basic components of diversity here. The value is high when the relative abundance of the different species in the sample become even and low when few species are more abundant. The Shannon diversity index is computed as: Where, 𝐻’ is Shannon diversity index and 𝑝𝑖 is proportion of individuals found in the 𝑖 th species The value lies between 1.5 and 3.5, although, in exceptional cases, the value can exceed 4.5. The larger the 𝐻 ‘value, the higher the diversity is. Equitability index (J’ ): It was calculated to estimate the homogeneous distribution of vegetation species based on the three land use categories namely homegarden, field crop and grazing land. It was calculated as: Where: H′ is the Shannon diversity index, lnS is the natural log of the total number of species (S) sampled in study area. J` assumes a value b/n 0 and 1, with 1 being complete evenness. The value of J’ ranges between 0 and 1, with 1 being complete evenness. Results And Discussion Increasingly, researchers are showing that it is possible to provide a balanced environment, sustained yields, biodiversity management through the design of diversified agroecosystems and the use of low-input technologies (Altieri, 2005 ; Perfecto & Vandermeer, 2018 , Zimmerer, 2014 ). Smale et al. (2002) also concluded that in agroecosystems all the biological diversity, particularly, species of plants and animals are well conserved. Supporting the maintenance of diversity on farms is one strategy for genetic diversity conservation (Altieri, 2015 , Girma, 2019 ; Jackson, 2015). On-farm conservation is viewed as a complementary strategy to ex situ conservation strategies. Through on-farm conservation not only are materials conserved, but so also are the processes of evolution and adaptation of crops to their environment. Likewise, the agroecosystem of the West Arsi zone is one of the best production areas of Ethiopia (Bonsa et al. ( 2021 ) and practicing the production of cereal crops, fruits, vegetables and plantation of different tree species( Kedir et al,2015). Besides the production of plant species, small-scale animal husbandry is the other activity that the communities are engaged in to improve their livelihoods. Plant Species Of The Agroecosystem Of The West Arsi Zone The dominant land use of the agroecosystem of the west Arsi Zone is categorized under three classes namely, Home garden, field crops, and grazing land (Abate, 2009 ;Tarekegn ,et al,2018). There was significant different among the Woredas (P < 0.05) regarding vegetation diversity per land uses and households (See Table 2 ). This is because, the West Arsi Zone is full of different ethnic groups who were resettled there from different regions and zones of the country, specifically, from Amhara Regional National State, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, particularly, from, Kambata, Sidama and Wolayta Zones and Hararghe and Shewa zones of Oromia National Regional state. These different ethnic groups prefer their choices of production in each land classes. For instance, the communities of Southern Ethiopia are famous in conserving high vegetation diversity in their homegarden areas. This is also confirmed by different authors within the country, for instance, (Talemos, 2012; Tesfaye, 2005; Tadesse, 2002).In contrast, those whose who resettled from Amhara Regional National State in the agroecosystem of the Zone engaged in diversification in their field crops. From the four Woredas, the highest vegetation diversity was recorded in Wondo Woreda, particularly, in homegarden (20.86 ± 3.85), while the lowest vegetation diversity was recorded in the homegarden of the Nensebo Woreda (7.38 ± 0.644).The Adaba Woreda has the highest vegetation diversity in the field crop (13.737 ± 1.877) whereas the lowest was recorded in the Kokossa Woreda (5.88 ± 1.09).However, the Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of vegetation diversity in the grazing land (13.774 ± 1.54) followed by the Nensebo Woreda (9.8723 ± 1.115). Table 2 Species Diversity per Land Uses and households in the study areas Woredas Land uses (Mean ± SD) Homegarden Species Field Crop Species Species of Grazing land P-values Wondo 20.86 d ± 3.85 9.03 b ± 1.187 5.70 a ± 1.185 0.000 Adaba 12.38 c ± 2.07 13.737 c ± 1.877 8.64 b ± 0.58 0.000 Kokossa 8.98 b ± 0.69 5.88 a ± 1.09 13.774 d ± 1.54 0.000 Nensabo 7.38 a ± 0.644 8.83 b ± 0.60 9.8723 c ± 1.115 0.000 Notice: SD = Standard Deviation, the different supper script letter indicated that, there is significant difference within the column at (p < 0.05). Therefore, this study concentrates on the biodiversity management practices, particularly, the plant and animal species conserved by the communities based on their land use categories within the agroecosystem. Based on the field experiments, homegarden is the most land use category having different diversity of vegetation (H׳=4.77) followed by field crops (H׳=4.06) (Table 1 ).From equity perspective, the homegarden vegetation of the agroecosystem is also the most evenly distributed (J׳=0.99) followed by grazing land (J׳=0.98) (See Table 3 ). Table 3 Diversity Indices of the three Land use classes Land uses Diversity Indices Species Richness Shannon Diversity Index(H׳) Evenness Index Homegarden 125 4.77 0.99 Field Crop 67 4.06 0.96 Grazing Land 42 3.65 0.98 Vegetation Species of Homegarden Home gardens host a significant portion of plant biodiversity (Tesfaye,2005; Tefera et al.2019) and could be regarded as live models of sustainable utilization of biodiversity (Abiyot and Zemede, 2014, Perfecto & Vandermeer, 2018 , Zimmerer, 2014 ).Homegarden is known to be ecologically sustainable (Altieri, 2015 ) and diversifies livelihood of local community (Ewuketu, 2014; Tesfaye, 2005 ;Semu, 2018 ; Galhena et al,2013). Commonly home garden encompasses multipurpose trees and shrubs in intimate association with annual and perennial agricultural crops and invariably livestock managed by family labour (Fernandes and Nair, 1986; Kumar and Nair, 2006). Homegarden agroforestry play key roles in providing more diverse services for household (Smale et al.2002) and facilitate conditions for ecological and economic benefits (Ewuketu, 2014; Tesfaye, 2005; Zimmerer, 2014).As it is confirmed the homegarden of the community is full of vegetation diversity such fruits, spices, vegetables, root crops, cereal crops and tree species which are important for timber production, fuel wood, fodder, shade and medicines s compared to the two other land uses (Table 2 ). The highest mean number of vegetation diversity from homegarden (20.86 ± 3.85) and the greater value of Shannon diversity index (H׳=4.77) confirm that homegarden harbor different vegetation diversity than other land uses. The study conducted by Bonsa et al. ( 2021 ) in the West Arsi Zone also ratified that homegarden has greater vegetation diversity and play pivotal roles in conserving biodiversity in the agroecosystem of the zone. It is also in line with the study conducted by Tefera et al ( 2019 ) about the role of homegarden in biodiversity conservation in the Shashemene District of the West Arsi zone. The major fruits of the homegardens of the study Woredas include avocado ( Persia .americana ), Mango ( Mangifera indica ), Banana ( Musa paradisiaca ), zeytune ( Psidium guajava L. ), Papaya ( Carica papaya L.), Orange ( Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.), Limes ( Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle), and Kishta ( Annona squamosa L.) are considered as main sources of food and income for the communities. The communities also produce small scale cereal crops in their garden areas such as Maize and small scale Sorghum in their homegarden areas. As the respondents revealed, Zea mays is the major cereal crop cultivated by the communities in the homegarden. According to the respondents the different types of vegetables commonly known in the homegarden of the community include cabbage ( Brassica carinata A.Br.), tomatoes ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), Tiklegomen ( Brassica oleracea L.), Keysir ( Beta vulgaris L.), Karot ( Dacus carota L.), potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum L .), mustard ( Lactuca sativa L.), kosta ( Beta vulgaris L .), Pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo L. ) and pepper ( Capsicum annuum L .) are commonly produced (See Appendix I). A total of 126 species representing 99 genera and 51 families were recorded in the homegarden of the study areas. As identified, Fabaceae has the highest number of genera (n = 21) from the recoded families (Fig. 2 ). Enset is one of the most important food crops that ensure food security in the country (Habtamu and Zemede, 2011 ; Tesfaye, 2005). Ensete ventricosum play a central role in providing household food needs in the country (Tadesse, 2002). The other root crops of the garden areas including Keysir ( Beta vulgaris L.),Dinich( Solanum tuberosum L.), Godare ( Colocasia esculeta (L.)Schott ), Karot ( Dacus carota L.), Boyna ( Dioscorea alata L.),Sikuar Dinich ( Ipomoea batatas (L.)Lam.) , Keyi bohina ( Dioscorea sagittifolia Pax.), Nechi bohina ( Dioscorea praehenslis Benth), and Tikur godare ( Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.)Schott) are dominantly produced by the communities to improve their livelihoods. Similar conclusions were also given by Mekonnen et al, (2014) and Reta, (2016) based on the research they conducted on the contributions of homegardens in the Holeta and Hawassa towns respectively. Vegetation Species of Field Crops Wale et al, (2011) noted that farmers produce crop diversity to the extent that it meets their private needs. Of the different in situ conservation options, conservation on farmers’ fields (Girma, 2019 ; Tarit et al, 2015), also called on-farm conservation, has recently received considerable attention by the international community (Jackson et al., 2005; FAO, 2019 ). On-farm conservation, a subset of in situ ( Berhanu, 2011 ) , is also becoming a new conservation paradigm (Perfecto & Vandermeer, 2018 , Zimmerer, 2014 ). Its dynamic features, its capacity to maintain crop diversity and the indigenous knowledge associated with it, and the opportunity it opens up to link conservation and rural development are the typical desirable features of on-farm conservation. Biodiversity and agriculture are strongly interrelated (Altieri, 1999; Barbieri et al, 2014), because while biodiversity is critical for agriculture (Zimmerer, 2014 ), agriculture can also contribute to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (Altieri, 2015 ; Jackson et al., 2005). In fact, a salient feature of traditional farming systems is their degree of plant diversity in the form of polycultures and/or agroforestry patterns that paves the way for the conservation of biodiversity (Kumar and Nair, 2006). In fact, the species richness of all biotic components of traditional agroecosystems is comparable with that of many natural ecosystems (Altieri, 2005 ). Throughout centuries, generations of farmers have developed complex, diverse and locally adapted agricultural systems, managed with time tested ingenious practices that often lead to community food security and the conservation of biodiversity (Jackson et al., 2005; Perfecto & Vandermeer, 2018 ). This peasant strategy of minimizing risk, stabilizes yields over the long term, promotes diet diversity, and maximizes returns under low levels of technology and limited resources (FAO, 2018 ). A total of 73 species representing 62 genera and 34 families were recorded in the field crops of the study areas. In addition to cultivation of different crops, farmers also traditionally manage different trees and shrubs on their farmlands (Altieri, 2005 ; Altieri, 2015 ; Girma, 2019 ; Somarriba et al, 2017; Perfecto & Vandermeer, 2018 ). The major crop species diversity identified as annual crops in their farm fields include Wheat ( Triticum sativum L.) , Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L. ), Maize ( Zea mays L.) ,Gomen ( Brassica integrifolia (West) O.E.Scbulz ) ,Teff ( Eragrostis teff (Zucc.) Trotter) , Haricot bean ( Phaseoulus vulgarisL. ), Potato ( Solanum tubersum L. ), Pea ( Pisum sativum L. ), Horse beans ( Vicia faba L. ), Sweet potato ( Dioscorea abyssinica Hochst.ex.kunth) , Sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum L.), Keysir ( Beta vulgaris L.), Garlic ( Allium sativum L.) , Onion ( Allium cepa L. ) and Yam ( Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schoot ) are the common crops produced in the four woredas of the agroecosystem of the West Arsi zone (See Appendix II). Vegetation Species within Grazing Land Parallel to the cropping system is the livestock system, defined as a land-use unit comprising pastures and herds and auxiliary feed sources transforming plant biomass into animal products. Important characteristics are the sequence of grazing on a given piece of land (Walcott, 2004 ). High biomass output and optimal nutrient recycling can be achieved through crop-animal integration. Animal production that integrates fodder shrubs planted at high densities, intercropped with improved, highly –productive pastures and timber trees all combined in a system that can be directly grazed by livestock, enhances total productivity and facilitates the conservation of biodiversity (Altieri, 2015 ). Grazing land plays a number of important and useful roles in mixed farming systems that enhance sustainability, increase productivity, diversify the products and services produced and help maintain biodiversity (FAO, 2018 ). Livestock can convert low-value waste materials, such as crop residues, and natural resources collected from or available on public land, such as grass and other wild plants, and turn them into high-value products (Walcott, 2004 ). Keeping livestock encourages farmers to plant perennial fodder crops, such as Napier grass and forage legume trees and shrubs (Tolera et al., 2019 ). As it can be understood from the household survey and field observation some legume species such as Desmodium uncinatum ( Silver leaf Desmodium), Stylosanthes spp (Stylo), Macroptilium atropurpureum (Siratro), Desmodium intortum (Green leaf Desmodium), Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea), Lablab purpureus (Lablab), Medicago sativa (Lucerne, Alfalfa), Lotus maizeiculatus (Birdsfoot trefoil), Melilotus altisimus, Trifolium spp , (annuals & perennials clovers) and Vicia dasycarpa (Vetch) are also the best sources of animal food. As the communities revealed they also plant and manage some tree species that serve for many purposes including fodder, fuel, construction, medicine, shade for human and livestock, and erosion control (both wild and domesticated fruits) (Appendix III). A total of 39 species representing 24 genera and 8 families were recorded in the grazing land of the study areas. Some of the most commonly produced browse tree species include Sesbania sesban (Sesbania), Leucaena leucocephala (Leucaena), Calliandra callothyrsus (Calliandra), Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea), Gliricidia sepium (Gliricidia) and Chamaecytisis palmensis (Tagasaste, Tree Lucerne).Furthermore, some root crops like Beta vulgaris (Fodder beet) and Ensete ventricosum are also used as better fodder supply in addition to providing food for humans. Livestock Resources of the Agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone Indigenous (or traditional, local) breeds of livestock are the thousands of locally distinct types of domestic animals – including cattle, camels, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry – that have for hundreds of years been developed and kept by livestock keepers throughout the world (FAO,2019).In addition to crop production, Ethiopia is endowed with different livestock diversity. The country is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa (Central Statistical Agency, 2020). This livestock sector has been contributing considerable portion to the economy of the country, and still promising to rally round the economic development of the country (Shapiro et al, 2017; Simpkin et al, 2020 ). It is eminent that livestock products and by-products in the form of meat, milk, honey, eggs, cheese, and butter supply etc. provide the needed animal protein that contributes to the improvement of the nutritional status of the people. The study also revealed that the communities of the study woredas produce the diversity of animals besides crop cultivation to improve their livelihoods. In the study woredas, Kokossa, Adaba, Wondo and Nensebo, there are the production of different animal diversity cattle, sheep, goat, donkey, horse and mules. Poultry production is also practiced by the communities since the areas are better for agricultural production due to conducive climate and maximum rainfall. Table 4 Livestock Population per household in the study areas Variables Woredas (Mean ± SD) P-values Wondo Adaba Kokossa Nensabo Cattle 2.400 a ± 1.33 8.043 c ± 2.86 12.495 d ± 4.633 7.085 b ± 1.705 0.000 Oxen 1.300 a ± 0.618 3.18 c ± 0.770 3.139 c ± 0.760 2.212 b ± 0.463 0.000 Sheep 1.75 a ± 1.123 3.246 b ± 1.514 4.537 c ± 1.833 7.170 d ± 1.307 0.000 Goats 1.153 b ± 1.015 0.965 a ± 0.819 1.527 b ± 2.394 9.021 c ± 2.608 0.000 Equines 0.83 a ± 0.563 1.377 b ± 0.954 1.763 c ± 0.758 2.596 d ± 0.712 0.000 Chicken 3.023 a ± 1.088 3.851 b ± 1.199 4.097 b ± 1.104 4.979 c ± 1.170 0.000 Notice: SD = standard deviation, the different superscript letter can represent the significant difference (p < 0.05) between column There is significant variation (P < 0.005) among the Woredas regarding the livestock holding per households. For instance, Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of cattle population per households (12.495 ± 4.633) followed by the Adaba Woreda (8.043 ± 2.86). To sum up, Adaba Woreda is the most commonly known by having better number of oxen per households (3.18 ± 0.770) from the study areas as oxen play pivotal role in traditional farming system within the agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone. Furthermore, Nensabo Woreda is the best from the four Districts by having large number of small ruminants per households as described 7.170 ± 1.307 and 9.021 ± 2.608 for sheep and Goat respectively. The District has also better distribution of equines (2.596 ± 0.712) and chicken (4.979 ± 1.170) among the household respondents (See Table 4 ). Conclusion The agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone is full of many biological diversity, particularly, animal and plant species. All vegetation diversity of the agroecosystem was assessed based on the dominant land use of the area, namely, homegarden, field crops and grazing land. The highest mean number of vegetation diversity from homegarden and the greater value of Shannon diversity index confirm that homegarden harbor different vegetation diversity than other land uses followed by field crops. The Adaba Woreda is the best in conservation of species diversity within the field crops while Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of species conservation within grazing land. The agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone is also prominent in animal production. There is also significant variation among the Woredas regarding the livestock holding per households. Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of cattle population per households. To sum up, Adaba Woreda is better in oxen production per households. Furthermore, there is large number of small ruminants per households in Nensabo Woreda .The District has also better distribution of equines and chicken among the household respondents. Therefore, as the West Arsi zone is conducive and known by different biological diversity, all concerned bodies should consider the agroecosystem of the zone to enhance conservation strategies. Declarations Acknowledgements Authors are thankful for contributors of all the research papers and information cited in the paper. Authors would also like to provide thanks to reviewers for comments and improvements suggested. Funding There was no funding receive from any funding source for this publication. Availability of data and materials Publically available Authors’ contributions Adugna Babu is the corresponding author. He designed and drafted the manuscript. Kitessa Hundera and Tibebu Alemu contributed to the arranging the data and revision of first draft. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript. Ethics approval and consent to participate Not applicable Competing interests The authors declare that they have no financial and nonfinancial competing interests. 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Trees on Farms for Livelihoods, Conservation of Biodiversity and Carbon Storage: Evidence from Nicaragua on This “Invisible” Resource. World Agroforestry Centre – ICRAF, Turrialba, Costa Rica, Springer International Publishing AG 2017 Tarekegn G., Tebarek L., and Molla M . 2018.Data on spatiotemporal land use land cover changes in peri-urban West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia: Empirical evidences from Shashemene peri-urban areas. National Center for Biotechnology Information. doi: 1 0.1016/j.dib.2018.03.082 Tarit K.B, Mohammad M. R., Moniruzzaman. Md. & Rajasree N.,2015. Status, utilization, and Conservation of agrobiodiversity in farms: a case study in the northwestern region of Bangladesh, International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management, 11:4, 318-329, DOI: 10.1080/21513732.2015.1050456 Tefera J., Zebene A., and Agena A.2019. Woody Species Diversity and Management in Homegarden Agroforestry: The Case of Shashemene District, Ethiopia. Volume 2019, https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3697047 Tolera, A., Vernooij, A., Berhanu, T., 2019. Status of Introduction and Distribution of Fodder Seeds and Planting Materials in Selected Districts of Amhara, Oromia, SNNP and Tigray Regional States. Wageningen Livestock Research, Report 1152. Thrupp L.A, 2000.Linking Agricultural Biodiversity and Food Security: The Valuable Role of Sustainable Agriculture, International Affairs, Vol. 76, No. 2, Special Biodiversity Issue (Apr., 2000), pp. 265-281, Blackwell Publishing, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2626366 Varela A.M, 2001. Managing Agricultural Resources for Biodiversity Conservation, Case study Brazil, Cuba and Mexico, Study commissioned by ELCI, Nairobi, Kenya Wale E, Drucker A. G and Kerstin K. Zander K.Z.2011. The Economics of Managing Crop Diversity On-farm. Case studies from the genetic resources policy initiative. Bioversity International Walcott, J. (2004). Agriculture and biodiversity: connections for sustainable development. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra. Zimmerer K.S, 2014. Conserving agrobiodiversity amid global change, migration, and nontraditional livelihood networks: the dynamic uses of cultural landscape Knowledge. Article in Ecology and society, DOI: 10.5751/ES-06316-190201, publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263963151 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Appendix.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-2651018","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":182926298,"identity":"5c5e4469-a325-4e4d-8aba-73311eec081e","order_by":0,"name":"Adugna Babu","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABBUlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFCCBAjFBqEOyIHJB0RokYBpMQaTCcRogfIOJDYgWY0V8LfnGL8uqGGo45M+Y/bgw5876fPDDj8E2mInp9uAXYvEmTdm1jOOAR3Gl2NuOLPtWe7G22kGQC3JxmYHcFhzI8fMmIcNqIWHx0yat+Fw7sbZCSAtBxK34dAiD9byD6rlz5/D6Yaz0z/g1WJwI8f4MW8bVAsD2+EEeekc/LYYnnlWxszbJyHZxsNWJtnbdthwg3ROwYEEA9x+kTuevPkzzzcbfvke5m0SP/4clpefnb75w4cKOzmc3gfGuwQiWkBOBas0wKkcBJg/oHDlG/CqHgWjYBSMghEIACySXGm0v1nBAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Jimma University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Adugna","middleName":"","lastName":"Babu","suffix":""},{"id":182926299,"identity":"860e4d19-8b7d-479e-9a1c-c94caddf6cfd","order_by":1,"name":"Kitessa Hunderra","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jimma University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kitessa","middleName":"","lastName":"Hunderra","suffix":""},{"id":182926300,"identity":"5e0a2bd4-d7a3-4ea3-813e-1d71fa1ac6d7","order_by":2,"name":"Tibebu Alemu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jimma University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Tibebu","middleName":"","lastName":"Alemu","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2023-03-03 10:29:30","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2651018/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2651018/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":34302560,"identity":"c96699ca-bfe9-42a0-ba55-c229bd0ca9a0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-03-15 14:44:57","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":729808,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eLocation Map of the study area\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2651018/v1/fb05b4d5c65fdfa7df0253e6.png"},{"id":34303844,"identity":"24ae50a8-b568-4210-a4a0-854d4e82f82c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-03-15 15:00:57","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":51274,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ePercentage of Homegarden vegetation Distribution by Families\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSource:Field Survey, 2021\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2651018/v1/484e9e786484cb94c53b7b13.png"},{"id":35490817,"identity":"7fbea218-9eba-4104-a0b7-73328ee6c4c4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-04-08 23:59:30","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":6040729,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2651018/v1/ae22a282-8faf-4327-8df9-1cead2ee948f.pdf"},{"id":34303359,"identity":"d377bba3-d7c6-4343-be79-8da00474cb13","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-03-15 14:52:57","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":61456,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Appendix.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2651018/v1/efd61f5974e4afc14aea99d3.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Biodiversity Management within the Agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone, Southeast Ethiopia","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThere is a growing realization worldwide that biodiversity is fundamental to agricultural production and food security, as well as a valuable ingredient of environmental conservation. Throughout centuries, generations of farmers have developed complex, diverse and locally adapted agricultural systems, managed with time tested ingenious practices that often lead to community food security and the conservation of biodiversity (Altieri and Nicholls, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). A decline in agricultural productivity due in large extent to resource degradation and increasing public awareness has led the countries to consider biodiversity conservation in agricultural planning (Varela, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR81\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e).Yet, predominant patterns of agricultural growth have eroded biodiversity in, for example, plant genetic resources, livestock, insects and soil organisms. This erosion has caused economic loss, jeopardizing productivity and food security, and leading to broader social costs. Equally alarming is the loss of biodiversity in natural habitats from the expansion of agricultural production to frontier areas. Agricultural management systems are highly dependent on interactions with their surrounding ecosystems. Thus, sustainable use of plant and animal genetic resources should involve the conservation of agricultural biodiversity as an integral component of sustainable management practice (Aigner, 2010).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInnovative biodiversity-rich farming systems can potentially be high-yielding and sustainable, and thus, support persistence of biodiversity by limiting the adverse effects of modern mono-cropping agriculture. Adoption of sustainable farming practices that utilize and conserve biodiversity may ultimately improve environmental quality and limit agricultural expansion into natural forests as well as the negative impacts of agriculture on biodiversity (Khumalo et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR57\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Hence, there is a compelling case for advocating conservation that is in tandem with livelihood needs of the people affected. In this regard, the systems have been advocated as a suitable pathway for improved livelihoods as it also impinges on biodiversity in working landscapes through incorporation of additional species in to agriculture.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAgroecosystems are communities of plants and animals interacting with their physical and chemical environments (Jabbar et al, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e) that have been modified by people to produce food, fibres, fuel and other products for human consumption and processing (FAO, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e).The conservation of biodiversity across different land uses including homegarden, agricultural field and grassing land are currently getting due attention in tropical areas (Perfecto and Vandermeer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Homegarden is home for different trees and shrubs, vegetables, fruits, tubers and cereals (Tesfaye, 2005) .Agricultural fields also harbor the variety of cereals, vegetables and trees and shrubs too. In addition to cultivation of crops, farmers also prefer to manage certain plants species in their farmlands (Aigner, 2010; Girma, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Grassing land, on the other hand, is the source of different grass species, trees and shrubs help maintain biodiversity (Altieri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Tolera et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR77\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Practices that conserve, sustainably use and enhance biodiversity are necessary at all levels in farming systems, and are of critical importance for food production, livelihood security, health and the maintenance of ecosystems (Amend et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e;Thrupp,2000). Many people say that local knowledge and culture are also integral parts of agricultural biodiversity, because it is the human activity of agriculture which conserves biodiversity through sustainable use (Cromwell, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthiopia is also known as one of the home of agroecosystem (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, 2007; 2014a; 2014b). The country is rich in faunal and floral diversity (Edwards et al,1995;Husen et.al, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e).The flora of Ethiopia is estimated to be between 6,500 and 7,000 species, of which 10\u0026ndash;12 percent is considered to be endemic (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, 2007). According to CSA (2014), Ethiopia is the first by endowing large number of livestock population and diversity in Africa. The country has about 55\u0026nbsp;million cattle, 28\u0026nbsp;million goats, 27\u0026nbsp;million sheep, 1.1\u0026nbsp;million camels, 2\u0026nbsp;million horses, 7\u0026nbsp;million donkeys and 51\u0026nbsp;million chickens. The livestock population is almost entirely composed of indigenous animal species. The existence of diverse farming systems, socio-economics, cultures and agro-ecologies has endowed Ethiopia with a diverse biological wealth of plants, animals, and microbial species, especially crop diversity (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, 2007; 2012).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe country is one of the Centers of crop origin and diversity (Husen et.al, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) and harbors globally importance crops like sorghum, Guizotia abyssinica, millet, Arabica coffee, durum wheat and teff are among others (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute,2007;2014a;2014b). The country harbors important gene pools of crop wild relatives for at least over 120 species of crops, including grains, pulses, oil seeds, vegetables, tubers, fruits, spices, stimulants, fibers, dyes and medicinal plants. In addition, several crops that were domesticated outside of East Africa exhibit high secondary diversification in Ethiopia, as evidenced in farmer varieties of wheat, barley, and several pulses (Ethiopian Panel on Climate Change, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). For coffee genetic resources distribution, Taye (2010) as cited in Ethiopian Panel on Climate Change, (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) reported that there are about 21,407 coffee germplasm (10,573 arabica, 8,000 robusta, 1,282 mascaro and 1,552 arabica or robusta in Cameroon) in the different field gene banks of some African countries, of which around 89.85% is found in Ethiopia. Ethiopia alone possesses around 99.8% of total Arabica coffee genetic diversity. In the same way, the west Arsi zone is one of the conducive areas of production and has long years of experiences of farming systems. The zone is known by cultivation of different varieties of crops, diversity of vegetation species and small scale production of animals. The dominant land uses of the zone within the agroecosystem are homegarden, field crops and grazing land. The zone has several years of experiences in conservation of biodiversity, particularly, plants and animals, in each land use category. The objective of the study is, therefore, to understand biodiversity management practices within the agroecosystem of the Zone.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials And Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1. Description of the Study area\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1.1. Location\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWest Arsi zone is located in Oromia National Regional state and shares boundary with east Shewa zone to the north, SNNSRS to the west and south, Arsi to the northeast, Guji to the Southeast and Bale Zone to the East. Shashemene town is the administrative center of the zone. It is located at 250km from Addis Ababa and the total area of the zone is 12,556km\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e. West Arsi zone is located in the Rift Valley Region. The zone lies between 60\u003csup\u003e⁰\u003c/sup\u003e12'29\" to 70\u003csup\u003e⁰\u003c/sup\u003e42'55\"latitude and 38\u003csup\u003e⁰\u003c/sup\u003e004'04\" to 39\u003csup\u003e⁰\u003c/sup\u003e046'08\" longitude. The zone has 12 districts, 4 urban administrative, 332 peasant associations. The zone is home for three lakes (Langano, Lake Shalla and Abjata) and Kaka mountain is one of the largest mountains in Oromia next to Tullu Dimtu and Chilalo.It is the best ecosystem of Afro alpine vegetation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003ePopulation\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to the Agricultural Office of the West Arsi Zone (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), the total population of the zone is estimated to be 1, 964, 038 that mean 973,743 are men and 990,295 women. The Oromo (88.52%) and the Amhara (3.98%) are the two largest ethnic groups in the zone; while all other ethnic groups consist of 7.5% of the population. Afan Oromo is spoken as a first language by 87.34% of the population and 6.46% spoke Amharic; the remaining 6.2% spoke all other their primary languages. The majority of the inhabitants are Muslim, with 80.34% of the population, while 11.04% of the population are followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and 7.02% of the population are categorized under Protestantism.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAgroecology\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe West Arsi zone has the three common traditional agroecology zones namely, highland (2300- 3200masl), midland (1500 to 2300masl) and lowland (500 to 1500masl) areas. The altitude of the zone generally ranges from 500 meters above sea level (masl) to 3200masl.Altitudinally, the highland areas (locally known as \u003cem\u003eDega\u003c/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eBadaa\u003c/em\u003e) covers 45.5% of the zone, whereas 39.6% of the zone midland (\u003cem\u003eWoinadega\u003c/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eBadadaree\u003c/em\u003e) and the remaining 14.9% the zone is categorized under lowland hot and arid climate (\u003cem\u003eKola\u003c/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eGamojjii\u003c/em\u003e). Most parts of the zone have elevations of ranging from 1500 to over 3200m.The annual average temperature of the zone ranges from 15\u0026deg;C to 20\u0026deg;C (Agricultural Office of the West Arsi Zone, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe zone has three distinct seasons. \u003cem\u003eMeher\u003c/em\u003e season \u003cem\u003e(ganna\u003c/em\u003e), which contributes major rainfall from June to mid of September. The \u003cem\u003eMeher\u003c/em\u003e mean annual rainfall ranges from 800 mm to 1400 mm. \u003cem\u003eBelg\u003c/em\u003e season \u003cem\u003e(Arfaasaa\u003c/em\u003e) is the small rainy season of the zone from February to May. 31% and 56% of the zone\u0026rsquo;s rain fall amount is from \u003cem\u003eBelg\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eMeher\u003c/em\u003e respectively .\u003cem\u003eMeher\u003c/em\u003e is the main production season in the country and in the zone in particular. The \u003cem\u003eBega season\u003c/em\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBona\u003c/em\u003e) is the dry season of the year from October to January.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSocio-economic Activities\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe major economic activities of the rural area are mixed farming in which cultivation of crops and animal production is practiced side by side. The most commonly produced crops in the zone include barley, wheat, sorghum, teff, maize, haricot beans, horse bean, field peas, linseeds, tomatoes, cabbage, potato, pepper, root crops, tuber crops, and coffee and enset. The zone is also known by the rearing of animals including cattle, equines (donkey, horse, and mule) and small ruminants, particularly, the production of sheep is the most common activities in the highland areas of the zone. The zone has also different woody species, trees and shrubs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eResearch Design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe west Arsi zone is full of different ethnic groups who occupied the area from different regions of the country. The communities live together and share different experiences with regard to agricultural practices and management of natural resources .Besides, the local peoples, there are also other communities who occupied the rural areas of the zone as migrant from other areas of the country, particularly from, Sidama and Walaita zones, Eastern and Western Haraghe and some are also from Amhara Regional National state, specifically from Wollo, Gojjam and Gonder. The whole communities are generally engaged in three land use practices namely, agricultural field (field crops), homegarden and grazing lands are prominent. \u003cem\u003eMeher (ganna\u003c/em\u003e) is the major rainfall and production season. \u003cem\u003eBelg\u003c/em\u003e season \u003cem\u003e(Arfaasaa\u003c/em\u003e) is the small rainy season of the zone. Even if there are many religions, majority of the communities are the followers of Muslim.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this study, both household based cross-sectional design and field based cross sectional design were used to gather reliable data pertaining to timeframe work. Household based cross-sectional design was used to investigate the plant and animal diversity managed based on the three land uses (Homegarden, Field crops and Grazing Land) in the agroecosystem of the study areas. Field based cross sectional design was implemented to identify and quantify the type of plant and animal species that the different communities manage within the agroecosystem of the zone. Furthermore, descriptive research design was implemented to describe the state of management of biodiversity within the agroecosystem.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSample Size Determination\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIf populations are large, it is important to implement a representative sample for proportions for the study under consideration. To meet the appropriate sample size, the model developed by Cochran (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1963\u003c/span\u003e:75) was implemented.\u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$n =\\frac{{Z}^{2} pq }{{e}^{2}}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhich is valid where n is the sample size, Z\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e is the value of the standard variate at a given confidence level (confidence level, e.g., 95%) table showing area under normal curve,e is the desired level of precision, p is the estimated proportion of an attribute that is present in the population, and q is 1-p. The value for Z is found in statistical tables which contain the area under the normal curve.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTherefore,\u003cdiv id=\"Equb\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equb\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$n =\\frac{{\\left(1.96\\right)}^{2} \\left(0.5\\right). \\left(0.5 \\right) }{{\\left(0.05\\right)}^{2}} =384 \\text{h}\\text{o}\\text{u}\\text{s}\\text{e}\\text{h}\\text{o}\\text{l}\\text{d}\\text{s}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHousehold respondents were proportionally selected from each kebele based on the decided sample size (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProportionally sampled household respondents\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStudy woredas\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKebeles\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal HHs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProportionally sampled HHs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWondo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGotu Onama\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1500\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShasha\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKokossa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGutu\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1050\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGarbarufa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e920\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdaba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEjersa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1390\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFuruna\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1033\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNensebo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGemechu\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e550\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGarambamo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e440\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal HHs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8133\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e384\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSampling Techniques\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn order to select the determined sample of the households, the researcher used multistage sampling techniques. First, the researcher used the purposive sampling techniques to select the woredas that clearly own the three dominant land uses namely homegarden, field crops and grazing land from the agroecosystem of the West Arsi zone. Accordingly, the Kokossa, Adaba, Wondo and Nensebo woredas were purposively selected. To sum up, simple random sampling technique was used to select the study kebeles from each woreda. Then after, systematic sampling technique was used to select the n\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e household based on the proportionally decided sample of the respondents per kebele.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData Collection Instruments\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerally, the researcher used both primary and secondary data collection tools to generate facts about the study. Both primary and secondary data collection tools was implemented.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003ePrimary Data collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this section, the primary data collection techniques such as questionnaires, observation, focus group discussion, key informant interview and field based data collection was used to identify the diversity of plant and animal species that the different communities manage within the agroecosystem. Both close \u0026ndash;ended and open \u0026ndash;ended forms of questionnaires were used to investigate the species that the different communities manage in the agroecosystems of west Arsi zone. Sixteen focus group discussion sessions, that means two focus group discussion sessions per each kebele which include six to eight members was held to identify the plant and animal species of the agroecosystem. Key informant interview was also held to examine the species that the different communities manage. Furthermore, field observation was used to clarify the plant and animal species of the agroecosystem.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSecondary Data collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDifferent published journals and books, manuals, reports and documents from the Woredas administrative Offices were referred to generate secondary data pertaining to the management of biodiversity within the agroecosystems of the study areas.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAssessments of Vegetation Diversity\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe different communities of the agroecosystem of the West Arsi zone generally engage in three land use practices namely field crops, homegarden and grazing. All vegetation diversity including woody species, shrubs and crops was assessed through the following procedures. Vegetation data from the three land use practices was collected based on some procedures from the four woredas. Two kebeles which are full of different ethnic groups from each woreda and totally eight kebeles were considered to assess vegetation species. Therefore, considering the land use systems, the researcher aligned four transect lines having 500m intervals in eight kebeles namely Gotu Onama and Shasha kebeles from Wondo Woreda; Gutu and Garbarufa from Kokossa Woreda; Ejersa and Furuna from Adaba Woreda and Gemechu and Garambamo from Nensebo Woreda. Four quadrats were laid at an interval of 200m. Hence, 16 quadrats in each selected Kebele, that means, 5 quadrats in field crops and 5 quadrats in grazing land and 6 quadrats in homegarden and an entire of 128 quadrats were laid to assess vegetation diversity. First, samples of vegetation species were collected and recorded in their local names. Then, the name of vegetation species was changed in to scientific name through considering different references like tree species reference and selection (Salim et al,2002), useful trees and shrubs of Ethiopia (Azene,2007) and Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Field based expert was assigned in case of challenges to identify some species.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiameters at breast height (DBH) for all woody species\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;5 cm was measured using a caliper or diameter tape and that of coffee was exceptionally measured at 15 cm aboveground (Segura et al, 2006). A quadrat size of 20 \u0026times; 20m (400m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) was used to assess woody species having diameter\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;5 cm (Hernandez et al.2004). Within this plot five subplots of quadrat size 5 \u0026times; 5m, at four corners and in the center, was aligned to assess sapling having diameter of 1\u0026ndash;5 cm. Within each subplot, again a small five plot of 2 \u0026times; 2m was aligned in each corner and center for seedling assessment for diameter\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1 cm (Hernandez et al.2004).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMethods of Data Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescriptive statistics such as means and standard deviation was implemented to analyze quantitative data, particularly, the vegetation diversity and livestock ownership per household respondents within the agroecosystems. The qualitative data was also analyzed through content analysis in which the contents of questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussion were carefully described and interpreted. Furthermore, Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at 0.05 significant level was used to compare if any significant difference among households pertaining to the vegetation diversity within the agroecosystem and the number of livestock per households. Therefore, \u003cem\u003eSPSS\u003c/em\u003e (version 21\u003cem\u003e)\u003c/em\u003e was implemented to assess the diversity of plants and animals within the agroecosystem of the study areas. To sum up, different diversity indices were used to identify the diversity of vegetation species within the agroecosystem of the Zone.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eShannon-Wiener Diversity Index (\u0026#119867;\u0026rsquo;):\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt computes species evenness and abundance. The number of species and evenness portion of individuals among the species are the basic components of diversity here. The value is high when the relative abundance of the different species in the sample become even and low when few species are more abundant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Shannon diversity index is computed as:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhere, \u0026#119867;\u0026rsquo; is Shannon diversity index and \u0026#119901;\u0026#119894; is proportion of individuals found in the \u0026#119894;\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e species\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe value lies between 1.5 and 3.5, although, in exceptional cases, the value can exceed 4.5. The larger the \u0026#119867; \u0026lsquo;value, the higher the diversity is.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eEquitability index (J\u0026rsquo;\u003c/b\u003e): It was calculated to estimate the homogeneous distribution of vegetation species based on the three land use categories namely homegarden, field crop and grazing land.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt was calculated as:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere: H\u0026prime; is the Shannon diversity index, lnS is the natural log of the total number of species (S) sampled in study area. J` assumes a value b/n 0 and 1, with 1 being complete evenness. The value of J\u0026rsquo; ranges between 0 and 1, with 1 being complete evenness.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results And Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIncreasingly, researchers are showing that it is possible to provide a balanced environment, sustained yields, biodiversity management through the design of diversified agroecosystems and the use of low-input technologies (Altieri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Perfecto \u0026amp; Vandermeer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e, Zimmerer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR88\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). Smale et al. (2002) also concluded that in agroecosystems all the biological diversity, particularly, species of plants and animals are well conserved. Supporting the maintenance of diversity on farms is one strategy for genetic diversity conservation (Altieri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e, Girma, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Jackson, 2015). On-farm conservation is viewed as a complementary strategy to \u003cem\u003eex situ\u003c/em\u003e conservation strategies. Through on-farm conservation not only are materials conserved, but so also are the processes of evolution and adaptation of crops to their environment. Likewise, the agroecosystem of the West Arsi zone is one of the best production areas of Ethiopia (Bonsa et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) and practicing the production of cereal crops, fruits, vegetables and plantation of different tree species( Kedir et al,2015). Besides the production of plant species, small-scale animal husbandry is the other activity that the communities are engaged in to improve their livelihoods.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Species Of The Agroecosystem Of The West Arsi Zone\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dominant land use of the agroecosystem of the west Arsi Zone is categorized under three classes namely, Home garden, field crops, and grazing land (Abate, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e;Tarekegn ,et al,2018). There was significant different among the Woredas (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) regarding vegetation diversity per land uses and households (See Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). This is because, the West Arsi Zone is full of different ethnic groups who were resettled there from different regions and zones of the country, specifically, from Amhara Regional National State, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, particularly, from, Kambata, Sidama and Wolayta Zones and Hararghe and Shewa zones of Oromia National Regional state. These different ethnic groups prefer their choices of production in each land classes. For instance, the communities of Southern Ethiopia are famous in conserving high vegetation diversity in their homegarden areas. This is also confirmed by different authors within the country, for instance, (Talemos, 2012; Tesfaye, 2005; Tadesse, 2002).In contrast, those whose who resettled from Amhara Regional National State in the agroecosystem of the Zone engaged in diversification in their field crops.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom the four Woredas, the highest vegetation diversity was recorded in Wondo Woreda, particularly, in homegarden (20.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.85), while the lowest vegetation diversity was recorded in the homegarden of the Nensebo Woreda (7.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.644).The Adaba Woreda has the highest vegetation diversity in the field crop (13.737\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.877) whereas the lowest was recorded in the Kokossa Woreda (5.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.09).However, the Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of vegetation diversity in the grazing land (13.774\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.54) followed by the Nensebo Woreda (9.8723\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.115).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpecies Diversity per Land Uses and households in the study areas\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWoredas\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLand uses (Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomegarden Species\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eField Crop Species\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpecies of Grazing land\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eP-values\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWondo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.86\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.03\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.187\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.70\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.185\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdaba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.38\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.737\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.877\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.64\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKokossa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.98\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.88\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.774\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNensabo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.38\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.644\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.83\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.8723\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.115\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e Notice: SD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Standard Deviation, the different supper script letter indicated that, there is significant difference within the column at (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTherefore, this study concentrates on the biodiversity management practices, particularly, the plant and animal species conserved by the communities based on their land use categories within the agroecosystem. Based on the field experiments, homegarden is the most land use category having different diversity of vegetation (H׳=4.77) followed by field crops (H׳=4.06) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).From equity perspective, the homegarden vegetation of the agroecosystem is also the most evenly distributed (J׳=0.99) followed by grazing land (J׳=0.98) (See Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiversity Indices of the three Land use classes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLand uses\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiversity Indices\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpecies Richness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShannon Diversity Index(H׳)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEvenness Index\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomegarden\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eField Crop\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrazing Land\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Heading\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVegetation Species of Homegarden\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003eHome gardens host a significant portion of plant biodiversity (Tesfaye,2005; Tefera et al.2019) and could be regarded as live models of sustainable utilization of biodiversity (Abiyot and Zemede, 2014, Perfecto \u0026amp; Vandermeer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e, Zimmerer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR88\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e).Homegarden is known to be ecologically sustainable (Altieri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) and diversifies livelihood of local community (Ewuketu, 2014; Tesfaye, 2005 ;Semu, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR65\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Galhena et al,2013). Commonly home garden encompasses multipurpose trees and shrubs in intimate association with annual and perennial agricultural crops and invariably livestock managed by family labour (Fernandes and Nair, 1986; Kumar and Nair, 2006). Homegarden agroforestry play key roles in providing more diverse services for household (Smale et al.2002) and facilitate conditions for ecological and economic benefits (Ewuketu, 2014; Tesfaye, 2005; Zimmerer, 2014).As it is confirmed the homegarden of the community is full of vegetation diversity such fruits, spices, vegetables, root crops, cereal crops and tree species which are important for timber production, fuel wood, fodder, shade and medicines s compared to the two other land uses (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The highest mean number of vegetation diversity from homegarden (20.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.85) and the greater value of Shannon diversity index (H׳=4.77) confirm that homegarden harbor different vegetation diversity than other land uses. The study conducted by Bonsa et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) in the West Arsi Zone also ratified that homegarden has greater vegetation diversity and play pivotal roles in conserving biodiversity in the agroecosystem of the zone. It is also in line with the study conducted by Tefera et al (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR75\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e) about the role of homegarden in biodiversity conservation in the Shashemene District of the West Arsi zone.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe major fruits of the homegardens of the study Woredas include avocado (\u003cem\u003ePersia .americana\u003c/em\u003e), Mango (\u003cem\u003eMangifera indica\u003c/em\u003e), Banana (\u003cem\u003eMusa paradisiaca\u003c/em\u003e), zeytune (\u003cem\u003ePsidium guajava L.\u003c/em\u003e), Papaya (\u003cem\u003eCarica papaya\u003c/em\u003e L.), Orange (\u003cem\u003eCitrus sinensis\u003c/em\u003e (L.) Osb.), Limes (\u003cem\u003eCitrus aurantifolia\u003c/em\u003e (Christm.) Swingle), and Kishta (\u003cem\u003eAnnona squamosa L.)\u003c/em\u003e are considered as main sources of food and income for the communities. The communities also produce small scale cereal crops in their garden areas such as Maize and small scale Sorghum in their homegarden areas. As the respondents revealed, \u003cem\u003eZea mays\u003c/em\u003e is the major cereal crop cultivated by the communities in the homegarden. According to the respondents the different types of vegetables commonly known in the homegarden of the community include cabbage (\u003cem\u003eBrassica carinata\u003c/em\u003e A.Br.), tomatoes (\u003cem\u003eLycopersicon esculentum\u003c/em\u003e Mill.), Tiklegomen (\u003cem\u003eBrassica oleracea\u003c/em\u003e L.), Keysir (\u003cem\u003eBeta vulgaris\u003c/em\u003e L.), Karot (\u003cem\u003eDacus carota\u003c/em\u003e L.), potatoes (\u003cem\u003eSolanum tuberosum L\u003c/em\u003e.), mustard (\u003cem\u003eLactuca sativa\u003c/em\u003e L.), kosta (\u003cem\u003eBeta vulgaris L\u003c/em\u003e.), Pumpkin (\u003cem\u003eCucurbita pepo L.\u003c/em\u003e) and pepper (\u003cem\u003eCapsicum annuum L\u003c/em\u003e.) are commonly produced (See Appendix I). A total of 126 species representing 99 genera and 51 families were recorded in the homegarden of the study areas. As identified, Fabaceae has the highest number of genera (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;21) from the recoded families (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnset is one of the most important food crops that ensure food security in the country (Habtamu and Zemede, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Tesfaye, 2005).\u003cem\u003eEnsete ventricosum\u003c/em\u003e play a central role in providing household food needs in the country (Tadesse, 2002). The other root crops of the garden areas including Keysir (\u003cem\u003eBeta vulgaris\u003c/em\u003e L.),Dinich(\u003cem\u003eSolanum tuberosum\u003c/em\u003e L.), Godare (\u003cem\u003eColocasia esculeta (L.)Schott\u003c/em\u003e), Karot (\u003cem\u003eDacus carota\u003c/em\u003e L.), Boyna (\u003cem\u003eDioscorea alata\u003c/em\u003e L.),Sikuar Dinich (\u003cem\u003eIpomoea batatas (L.)Lam.)\u003c/em\u003e, Keyi bohina (\u003cem\u003eDioscorea sagittifolia\u003c/em\u003e Pax.), Nechi bohina (\u003cem\u003eDioscorea praehenslis\u003c/em\u003e Benth), and Tikur godare (\u003cem\u003eXanthosoma sagittifolium\u003c/em\u003e (L.)Schott) are dominantly produced by the communities to improve their livelihoods. Similar conclusions were also given by Mekonnen et al, (2014) and Reta, (2016) based on the research they conducted on the contributions of homegardens in the Holeta and Hawassa towns respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Heading\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVegetation Species of Field Crops\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003eWale et al, (2011) noted that farmers produce crop diversity to the extent that it meets their private needs. Of the different \u003cem\u003ein situ\u003c/em\u003e conservation options, conservation on farmers\u0026rsquo; fields (Girma, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Tarit et al, 2015), also called on-farm conservation, has recently received considerable attention by the international community (Jackson et al., 2005; FAO, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). On-farm conservation, a subset of \u003cem\u003ein situ (\u003c/em\u003eBerhanu, 2011\u003cem\u003e)\u003c/em\u003e, is also becoming a new conservation paradigm (Perfecto \u0026amp; Vandermeer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e, Zimmerer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR88\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). Its dynamic features, its capacity to maintain crop diversity and the indigenous knowledge associated with it, and the opportunity it opens up to link conservation and rural development are the typical desirable features of on-farm conservation. Biodiversity and agriculture are strongly interrelated (Altieri, 1999; Barbieri et al, 2014), because while biodiversity is critical for agriculture (Zimmerer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR88\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e), agriculture can also contribute to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (Altieri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Jackson et al., 2005).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn fact, a salient feature of traditional farming systems is their degree of plant diversity in the form of polycultures and/or agroforestry patterns that paves the way for the conservation of biodiversity (Kumar and Nair, 2006). In fact, the species richness of all biotic components of traditional agroecosystems is comparable with that of many natural ecosystems (Altieri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). Throughout centuries, generations of farmers have developed complex, diverse and locally adapted agricultural systems, managed with time tested ingenious practices that often lead to community food security and the conservation of biodiversity (Jackson et al., 2005; Perfecto \u0026amp; Vandermeer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). This peasant strategy of minimizing risk, stabilizes yields over the long term, promotes diet diversity, and maximizes returns under low levels of technology and limited resources (FAO, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of 73 species representing 62 genera and 34 families were recorded in the field crops of the study areas. In addition to cultivation of different crops, farmers also traditionally manage different trees and shrubs on their farmlands (Altieri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Altieri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Girma, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Somarriba et al, 2017; Perfecto \u0026amp; Vandermeer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). The major crop species diversity identified as annual crops in their farm fields include Wheat (\u003cem\u003eTriticum sativum L.)\u003c/em\u003e, Barley (\u003cem\u003eHordeum vulgare L.\u003c/em\u003e), Maize (\u003cem\u003eZea mays L.)\u003c/em\u003e,Gomen (\u003cem\u003eBrassica integrifolia (West) O.E.Scbulz )\u003c/em\u003e,Teff (\u003cem\u003eEragrostis teff (Zucc.) Trotter)\u003c/em\u003e, Haricot bean (\u003cem\u003ePhaseoulus vulgarisL.\u003c/em\u003e), Potato (\u003cem\u003eSolanum tubersum L.\u003c/em\u003e), Pea (\u003cem\u003ePisum sativum L.\u003c/em\u003e), Horse beans (\u003cem\u003eVicia faba L.\u003c/em\u003e), Sweet potato (\u003cem\u003eDioscorea abyssinica Hochst.ex.kunth)\u003c/em\u003e, Sugarcane (\u003cem\u003eSaccharum officinarum\u003c/em\u003e L.), Keysir (\u003cem\u003eBeta vulgaris\u003c/em\u003e L.), Garlic (\u003cem\u003eAllium sativum L.)\u003c/em\u003e, Onion (\u003cem\u003eAllium cepa L.\u003c/em\u003e) and Yam (\u003cem\u003eColocasia esculenta (L.) Schoot\u003c/em\u003e) are the common crops produced in the four woredas of the agroecosystem of the West Arsi zone (See Appendix II).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Heading\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVegetation Species within Grazing Land\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003eParallel to the cropping system is the livestock system, defined as a land-use unit comprising pastures and herds and auxiliary feed sources transforming plant biomass into animal products. Important characteristics are the sequence of grazing on a given piece of land (Walcott, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR86\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). High biomass output and optimal nutrient recycling can be achieved through crop-animal integration. Animal production that integrates fodder shrubs planted at high densities, intercropped with improved, highly \u0026ndash;productive pastures and timber trees all combined in a system that can be directly grazed by livestock, enhances total productivity and facilitates the conservation of biodiversity (Altieri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Grazing land plays a number of important and useful roles in mixed farming systems that enhance sustainability, increase productivity, diversify the products and services produced and help maintain biodiversity (FAO, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Livestock can convert low-value waste materials, such as crop residues, and natural resources collected from or available on public land, such as grass and other wild plants, and turn them into high-value products (Walcott, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR86\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). Keeping livestock encourages farmers to plant perennial fodder crops, such as Napier grass and forage legume trees and shrubs (Tolera et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR77\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs it can be understood from the household survey and field observation some legume species such as \u003cem\u003eDesmodium uncinatum (\u003c/em\u003eSilver leaf Desmodium), \u003cem\u003eStylosanthes spp\u003c/em\u003e (Stylo), \u003cem\u003eMacroptilium atropurpureum (Siratro), Desmodium intortum\u003c/em\u003e (Green leaf Desmodium), \u003cem\u003eVigna unguiculata\u003c/em\u003e (Cowpea), \u003cem\u003eLablab purpureus\u003c/em\u003e (Lablab), \u003cem\u003eMedicago sativa\u003c/em\u003e (Lucerne, Alfalfa), \u003cem\u003eLotus maizeiculatus\u003c/em\u003e (Birdsfoot trefoil), \u003cem\u003eMelilotus altisimus, Trifolium spp\u003c/em\u003e, (annuals \u0026amp; perennials clovers) and \u003cem\u003eVicia dasycarpa\u003c/em\u003e (Vetch) are also the best sources of animal food. As the communities revealed they also plant and manage some tree species that serve for many purposes including fodder, fuel, construction, medicine, shade for human and livestock, and erosion control (both wild and domesticated fruits) (Appendix III).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of 39 species representing 24 genera and 8 families were recorded in the grazing land of the study areas. Some of the most commonly produced browse tree species include \u003cem\u003eSesbania sesban\u003c/em\u003e (Sesbania), \u003cem\u003eLeucaena leucocephala\u003c/em\u003e (Leucaena), \u003cem\u003eCalliandra callothyrsus\u003c/em\u003e (Calliandra), \u003cem\u003eCajanus cajan\u003c/em\u003e (Pigeon pea), \u003cem\u003eGliricidia sepium\u003c/em\u003e (Gliricidia) and \u003cem\u003eChamaecytisis palmensis\u003c/em\u003e (Tagasaste, Tree Lucerne).Furthermore, some root crops like \u003cem\u003eBeta vulgaris\u003c/em\u003e (Fodder beet) and \u003cem\u003eEnsete ventricosum\u003c/em\u003e are also used as better fodder supply in addition to providing food for humans.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec22\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Heading\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLivestock Resources of the Agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndigenous (or traditional, local) breeds of livestock are the thousands of locally distinct types of domestic animals \u0026ndash; including cattle, camels, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry \u0026ndash; that have for hundreds of years been developed and kept by livestock keepers throughout the world (FAO,2019).In addition to crop production, Ethiopia is endowed with different livestock diversity. The country is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa (Central Statistical Agency, 2020). This livestock sector has been contributing considerable portion to the economy of the country, and still promising to rally round the economic development of the country (Shapiro et al, 2017; Simpkin et al, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR67\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). It is eminent that livestock products and by-products in the form of meat, milk, honey, eggs, cheese, and butter supply etc. provide the needed animal protein that contributes to the improvement of the nutritional status of the people.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study also revealed that the communities of the study woredas produce the diversity of animals besides crop cultivation to improve their livelihoods. In the study woredas, Kokossa, Adaba, Wondo and Nensebo, there are the production of different animal diversity cattle, sheep, goat, donkey, horse and mules. Poultry production is also practiced by the communities since the areas are better for agricultural production due to conducive climate and maximum rainfall.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLivestock Population per household in the study areas\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWoredas (Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP-values\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWondo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdaba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKokossa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNensabo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCattle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.400\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.043\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.495\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.633\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.085\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.705\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOxen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.300\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.618\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.18\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.770\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.139\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.760\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.212\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.463\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSheep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.75\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.123\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.246\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.514\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.537\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.833\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.170\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.307\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoats\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.153\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.965\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.819\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.527\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.394\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.021\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.608\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEquines\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.563\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.377\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.954\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.763\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.758\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.596\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.712\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChicken\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.023\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.088\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.851\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.199\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.097\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.104\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.979\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.170\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003eNotice: \u003cb\u003eSD\u003c/b\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;standard deviation, the different superscript letter can represent the significant difference (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) between column\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is significant variation (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.005) among the Woredas regarding the livestock holding per households. For instance, Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of cattle population per households (12.495\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.633) followed by the Adaba Woreda (8.043\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.86). To sum up, Adaba Woreda is the most commonly known by having better number of oxen per households (3.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.770) from the study areas as oxen play pivotal role in traditional farming system within the agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone. Furthermore, Nensabo Woreda is the best from the four Districts by having large number of small ruminants per households as described 7.170\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.307 and 9.021\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.608 for sheep and Goat respectively. The District has also better distribution of equines (2.596\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.712) and chicken (4.979\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.170) among the household respondents (See Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone is full of many biological diversity, particularly, animal and plant species. All vegetation diversity of the agroecosystem was assessed based on the dominant land use of the area, namely, homegarden, field crops and grazing land. The highest mean number of vegetation diversity from homegarden and the greater value of Shannon diversity index confirm that homegarden harbor different vegetation diversity than other land uses followed by field crops. The Adaba Woreda is the best in conservation of species diversity within the field crops while Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of species conservation within grazing land. The agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone is also prominent in animal production. There is also significant variation among the Woredas regarding the livestock holding per households. Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of cattle population per households. To sum up, Adaba Woreda is better in oxen production per households. Furthermore, there is large number of small ruminants per households in Nensabo Woreda .The District has also better distribution of equines and chicken among the household respondents. Therefore, as the West Arsi zone is conducive and known by different biological diversity, all concerned bodies should consider the agroecosystem of the zone to enhance conservation strategies.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthors are thankful for contributors of all the research papers and information cited in the paper. Authors would also like to provide thanks to reviewers for comments and improvements suggested.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere was no funding receive from any funding source for this publication.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublically available\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdugna Babu is the corresponding author. He designed and drafted the manuscript. Kitessa Hundera and Tibebu Alemu contributed to the arranging the data and revision of first draft. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no financial and nonfinancial competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col class=\"decimal_type\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAbate F., 2009. Climate Change Impact on Livelihood, Vulnerability and Coping Mechanisms: A Case Study of West-Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. LUCSUS, Lund University SE-22644, Lund, Sweden\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAgricultural Office of the West Arsi Zone. 2019. 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Zander K.Z.2011.\u0026nbsp;The Economics of Managing Crop Diversity On-farm.\u0026nbsp;Case studies from the genetic resources policy initiative. Bioversity International\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWalcott, J. (2004). Agriculture and biodiversity: connections for sustainable development. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eZimmerer K.S, 2014. Conserving agrobiodiversity amid global change, migration, and nontraditional livelihood networks: the dynamic uses of cultural landscape Knowledge. Article in Ecology and society, DOI: 10.5751/ES-06316-190201, publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263963151\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Biodiversity, Management, Agroecosystem, Land Uses, West Arsi Zone","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2651018/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2651018/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe main objective of this study was to assess biodiversity management practices within the agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone of Southeastern Ethiopia. Four Woredas namely, Wondo, Adaba, Kokossa and Nensebo were purposively selected based on their conservation and diversification practices. The Primary data collection methods like questionnaires, Focus group discussion, and key informant interview and field observation were used to identify the biodiversity conservation practices, especially, the vegetation diversity and the livestock management practices within the agroecosystem. Books, reports and articles were used as secondary sources of information to support the study. Diversity indices, Shannon diversity index and Evenness index were used to identify the vegetation diversity based on the three dominant land use practices homegarden, field crops and grazing land. To sum up, Least significance Difference (LSD) test at 0.05 was used to identify the vegetation diversity per land uses and households and also to check significant level among the household respondents. Therefore, SPSS (version 21) was implemented to assess the diversity of plants and animals within the agroecosystem of the study areas. The result of the study indicates that there was significant different among the Woredas (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) regarding vegetation diversity per land uses and households. Based on the field experiments, homegarden is the most land use category having different diversity of vegetation (H׳=4.77) followed by field crops (H׳=4.06).From equity perspective, the homegarden vegetation of the agroecosystem is also the most evenly distributed (J׳=0.99) followed by grazing land (J׳=0.98).From the four Woredas, the highest vegetation diversity was recorded in Wondo Woreda, particularly, in homegarden (20.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.85), while the lowest vegetation diversity was recorded in the homegarden of the Nensebo Woreda (7.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.644). However, the Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of vegetation diversity within the grazing land (13.774\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.54) followed by the Nensebo Woreda (9.8723\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.115). There is also significant variation (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.005) among the Woredas regarding the livestock holding per households. For instance, Kokossa Woreda is the best in terms of cattle population per households (12.495\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.633) followed by the Adaba Woreda (8.043\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.86).Since the agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone is full of animal and vegetation diversity, all concerned stakeholders should give due attention for the area to get greater output of production.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Biodiversity Management within the Agroecosystem of the West Arsi Zone, Southeast Ethiopia","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2023-03-15 14:44:52","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2651018/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"780414ff-455d-412c-838a-855e2c6eb948","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 15th, 2023","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2023-04-08T23:59:16+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2023-03-15 14:44:52","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-2651018","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-2651018","identity":"rs-2651018","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"_2-kVJe1T_tPrBINL-cwx","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}