Distribution and abundance of Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl) in the exclosures of Tigray, northern Ethiopia

摘要

Establishment of exclosures to conserve biodiversity and enhance land restoration has been practiced for the past three decades in Tigray.Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl) locally named as Grbia is the most important honeybee flora growing in these exclosures. However, empirical data and evidence on the capability and constraints of exclosures in growing the most useful honeybee plants in terms of tolerance to grass competition and tree canopy cover are lacking. Thus, the study was designed to assess Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl) performance, distribution, abundance and its association with other plants in exclosures and adjacent open grazing areas of Gergera and Merer exclosures of Atsby-Wonberta and Ganta Afeshum districts, respectively. Transect method was employed to assess honey bee flora composition in exclosures and its adjacent communal open grazing land at different altitudinal positions (bottom, middle and top) of the exclosures and Agroecology (highland and midland). The collected data were analyzed using general linear model of Genstat software version 14. The result of this assessment indicated that abundance of H.forskaolii was 96700/ha and 88000/ha in Merer and Gergera exclosures, respectively. Agroecology and altitudinal gradient of exclosures however had not significant effect on the abundance and distribution of H.forskaolii. However, the management type (exclosure and open) were significantly affected the density ofH.forskaolii. This study concluded that exclosures with H.forskaolii need silvicultural practices and weeding managements to enhance its density and growth performance.