Parkland Agroforestry of Ethiopia; Key to Production, Productivity, Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation: A Review ()
ABSTRACT
Compiled information on
parkland agroforestry tree species in relation to diversity, tree management options
and the challenges of the system is important for production and productivity, and
biodiversity conservation through availing the required information which in turn
has an implication to the sustainability of the system and climate change mitigation.
So, the aim of this review paper is to compile information on parkland agroforestry
practices of Ethiopia, particularly: on tree species diversity, their roles, management
options available and challenges of the practice. Parkland agroforestry which is
a system practiced by many local populations comprises the large part of agricultural
landscapes in Ethiopia and is very important in different aspects such as; for food
security, microclimate amelioration, economic benefits, environmental protection,
household energy, household utensils, cultural values, traditional medicines, and
fodder. There are many indigenous multipurpose tree species scattered on farmlands
in Ethiopia, and the common one includes: Millettia
ferruginea, Cordia africana, Ficus vasta, Ficus sur, Croton macrostachyus and Faidherbia albida. However, nowadays
these trees are facing challenges like: expansion of exotic trees in the expense
of the native ones, expansion of cash crops through removal of the parkland trees
from the farm area, climate change, land shortage and tenure system which require
high emphasis for the production and productivity as well as sustainability of the
system especially, in this era of climate change; hence this system is one of climate
change mitigation options.