Assessing Woody Species Diversity and Management Activities Used in Parkland Agroforestry Practices at Kalu District, South Wollo, Ethiopia

Assessing Woody Species Diversity and Management Activities Used in Parkland Agroforestry Practices at Kalu District, South Wollo, 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 Assessing Woody Species Diversity and Management Activities Used in Parkland Agroforestry Practices at Kalu District, South Wollo, Ethiopia Wondwossen Mechal Wondwossen Mechal This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8410580/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 Parkland agroforestry is the types of multipurpose trees agroforestry system characterized by well-grown scattered trees on cultivated and recently fallowed fields. It is the most dominant agroforestry practice in the semi-arid and sub-humid zones of Ethiopia. This study was conducted at Kalu district, South Wollo, Ethiopia to assess the ecological significance of parkland agroforestry practices and how do farmers manage the parkland trees and the factors that influence farmers’ management techniques. Multistage sampling method was adopted by selecting sample kebeles from lowland and midland parkland agroforestry. Woody species inventory was conducted on 60 plots having each 50 m x100 m on cultivated land along 6 transects. All woody species found in the plots following transect line having stem diameter ≥ 5 cm and height of >2 m above ground were taken. Semi-structured questionnaire and group discussion were employed for gathering qualitative data. The data collected through the questionnaire interviews, species richness and structures were analyzed using Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS 20) software and Microsoft excel version 2010 at 5% level of significance. Woody species frequency, abundance, basal area, height and diameter class distribution were computed to characterize woody species structure. A total of 21 indigenous woody species were collected from the two agro-ecologies of parkland agroforestry. The collected species belonging to eight families, and Fabaceae were the dominant families. Shannon and Simpson indices of woody species diversity, evenness of lowland was higher than midland agro-ecologies. Zizipus spina-christi and Acasia seyal were dominant tree species in both agro-ecologies. Woody species retained within farmer’s cultivated land for different purposes. Looping, pollarding, pruning, protection and coppicing were common management practices. Among socioeconomic variables only sex, land holding size and access to extension service were influence woody species management. Woody species diversity was relatively low at Kalu district. Land shortage, drought, free grazing, absence of planting activity and high charcoal demands were the most challenging problems for the sustainability of parklands at the district. Governmental decision-makers and other stakeholders typically face with regard to Parkland trees conservation and agricultural intensification and development objectives. Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Statement of Ethics Approval Research Title: Assessing Woody Species Diversity and Management Activities Used in Parkland Agroforestry Practices at Kalu District, South Wollo, Ethiopia Author: Wondwossen Mechal Institutional Review and Authorization Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Department of Forestry, College, of Agriculture Research Ethics Committee at Wollo University The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines for research involving human participants and environmental conservation standards in Ethiopia. Informed Consent Prior to data collection, the purpose, procedures, and potential benefits of the research were clearly explained to the local authorities of the Kalu District and the participating household heads. Voluntary Participation: All participants were informed that their involvement was entirely voluntary. Consent: Verbal or written informed consent was obtained from each respondent before administering questionnaires or conducting interviews regarding their agroforestry management practices. Right to Withdraw: Participants were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without providing a reason. Confidentiality and Privacy The privacy of the participants was strictly maintained. All socio-economic data collected through household surveys were anonymized. No personal identifiers (such as names or specific house numbers) are used in the final report or any subsequent publications to ensure the confidentiality of the respondents in the Kalu District. Environmental and Legal Permissions Field Access: Permission to access parkland agroforestry plots for woody species identification and measurement was obtained from the respective landowners and the Kalu District Office of Agriculture. Sample Collection: Data collection involved non-destructive methods (measurement of DBH, height, and species identification). No endangered species were harmed or removed during the assessment of woody species diversity. 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. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. 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-8410580","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":564197278,"identity":"156e5ef2-5998-4f03-9ac2-dc76a5f48986","order_by":0,"name":"Wondwossen Mechal Wondwossen Mechal","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABBklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYHACNgaGAhCdAOHyg9kFhLQYIGmRbACxDUjRYnAATOJWr9ve/OzBD4PDcubsOYYPf/yxyTM+vzrxwwMDBnl+sQNYtZidOWZu2GNw2Niy542xMW9bWrHZjbebJYAOM5w5OwG7lhs5bBI8BrcTN9zI3SbN2HA4cduNsxtAWhIMbuPQcv8Nm+QfqBbJH3/+J26ecXbzD7xabvCwScNskeBhO5C4gb93G35bzqSZScsY/Dc2OPP+M9AvyYkzbvBus0gwkMDtl+OHn0m+qUiTMzielggMMbvE/v6zm2/+qLCR55fGrgULkACrlCBWOQjwHyBF9SgYBaNgFIwAAAC8K2ZtyYmFCgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Wollo University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Wondwossen","middleName":"Mechal Wondwossen","lastName":"Mechal","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-12-20 08:23:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8410580/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8410580/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":99790502,"identity":"ddc50626-f46a-43a4-b54b-f9aee478e28b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 12:58:15","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":927156,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ManuscriptWondwossenMechal.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8410580/v1_covered_38e147ec-f8c6-4303-a721-7c5043c92118.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"\u003cp\u003eNo competing interests reported.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStatement of Ethics Approval Research Title: Assessing Woody Species Diversity and Management Activities Used in Parkland Agroforestry Practices at Kalu District, South Wollo, Ethiopia Author: Wondwossen Mechal\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eInstitutional Review and Authorization Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Department of Forestry, College, of Agriculture Research Ethics Committee at Wollo University The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines for research involving human participants and environmental conservation standards in Ethiopia.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eInformed Consent Prior to data collection, the purpose, procedures, and potential benefits of the research were clearly explained to the local authorities of the Kalu District and the participating household heads. Voluntary Participation: All participants were informed that their involvement was entirely voluntary. Consent: Verbal or written informed consent was obtained from each respondent before administering questionnaires or conducting interviews regarding their agroforestry management practices. Right to Withdraw: Participants were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without providing a reason.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eConfidentiality and Privacy The privacy of the participants was strictly maintained. All socio-economic data collected through household surveys were anonymized. No personal identifiers (such as names or specific house numbers) are used in the final report or any subsequent publications to ensure the confidentiality of the respondents in the Kalu District.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eEnvironmental and Legal Permissions Field Access: Permission to access parkland agroforestry plots for woody species identification and measurement was obtained from the respective landowners and the Kalu District Office of Agriculture. Sample Collection: Data collection involved non-destructive methods (measurement of DBH, height, and species identification). 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It is the most dominant agroforestry practice in the semi-arid and sub-humid zones of Ethiopia. This study was conducted at Kalu district, South Wollo, Ethiopia to assess the ecological significance of parkland agroforestry practices and how do farmers manage the parkland trees and the factors that influence farmers’ management techniques. Multistage sampling method was adopted by selecting sample kebeles from lowland and midland parkland agroforestry. Woody species inventory was conducted on 60 plots having each 50 m x100 m on cultivated land along 6 transects. All woody species found in the plots following transect line having stem diameter ≥ 5 cm and height of \u003e2 m above ground were taken. Semi-structured questionnaire and group discussion were employed for gathering qualitative data. The data collected through the questionnaire interviews, species richness and structures were analyzed using Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS 20) software and Microsoft excel version 2010 at 5% level of significance. Woody species frequency, abundance, basal area, height and diameter class distribution were computed to characterize woody species structure. A total of 21 indigenous woody species were collected from the two agro-ecologies of parkland agroforestry. The collected species belonging to eight families, and Fabaceae were the dominant families. Shannon and Simpson indices of woody species diversity, evenness of lowland was higher than midland agro-ecologies. Zizipus spina-christi and Acasia seyal were dominant tree species in both agro-ecologies. Woody species retained within farmer’s cultivated land for different purposes. Looping, pollarding, pruning, protection and coppicing were common management practices. 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