Population status and socio-economic importance of gum and resin bearing species in Borana Lowlands, Southern Ethiopia

A study on the population status (species composition, diversity, abundance, dominance, importance value, structure, regeneration) and socio-economic importance, mainly the roles in the livelihood of pastoral and agro-pastoral community, of gum and resin bearing woody species was carried out in Borana drylands, southern Ethiopia. The study was conducted at Arero and Yabello districts at several study sites, which were selected on the bases of the presence of good populations of the study species. A total of 75 sample quadrates, measuring 400 square m each and 300 m apart, were established in the woodland vegetation of the two districts using systematic sampling techniques. Quadrates were distributed in east west compass directions along established transect lines located at approximately 500 m from each other. In each quadrate, vegetation data such as identity, abundance, DBH, height, and counting of seedlings and saplings were made. To assess from four villages (two from each district) surrounding the selected specific study sites. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview the household respondents. Group discussions were held with 12 selected key informants and with local administrators. Based on the analyses of the vegetation data, a total of 64 woody species distributed in 23 families and 31 genera were encountered in the sample quadrates. A total of 15 woody species (14 at Arero and 11 at Yabello), belonging to the genus Commiphora, Boswellia and Acacia, were identified important as oleo-gum resin producing species. Gum and resin bearing species were found to be the predominant species comprising 34% and 48% of the species composition, 47.5% and 66.6% density ha sup(-1) and 69.8% and 60.2% of the IV of the study sites at Arero and Yabello, respectively. The Shannon-Wiener diversity and Shannon evenness values depicted the diverse and even distribution of the population of the study species. The Structural analyses of the population of the study species indicated that most of them had a more or less good regeneration profile. This implies the existence of large potential for the production of oleo-gum resin products at the study areas. The socio-economic survey also disclosed that the Borana pastoral and agro-pastoral community has a deep attachment with gum and resin bearing species. The role of gum and resin bearing species in the livelihood of the local community was very immense. As the local residents mentioned, most of the study species are the primary sources of fodder, medicine, food, sanitation and wood. Gum and resin collection is found to be the most important means of income generation for thousands of household in the study areas. Above all, gum and resin extraction is almost non-destructive way of resource use. Hence, careful plant to integrate this sub-sector with other activities such as livestock is not only means of income diversification, but also a sustainable way of utilization of the natural woodland. By doing so, it is possible to contribute to combating the expansion of desertification (the prevailing problem in the area), environmental degradation, and lose of biodiversity, while making economic use of the resources.