The article presents a study whose objective was to find out from farmers which indigenous trees and shrubs are most popularly used for fodder, how they are used, their qualities and which species they would consider planting on their own farmland.
Tag: indigenous species
Indigenous fodder species in Kenya-assessing the wealth
The article presents a study whose objective was to find out from farmers which indigenous trees and shrubs are most popularly used for fodder, how they are used, their qualities and which species they would consider planting on their own farmland.
Ecology and biology of Uapaca kirkiana, Strychnos cocculoides and Sclerocarya birrea in Southern Africa
This chapter summarizes the biology and ecology of three key priority miombo fruit trees (Uapaca kirkiana, Strychnos cocculoides and Sclerocarya birrea) identified for southern Africa and their potential for domestication. Sclerocarya birrea is a member of the Anacardiaceae (cashew family), along with 650 species and 70 genera of mainly tropical or subtropical evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs and woody vines. Uapaca kirkiana (Euphorbiaceae) is distinctive within the Euphorbiaceae on account of its wood, vegetative and floral characters. It has characteristically broad, leathery leaves and rounded crown. Strychnos cocculoides belongs to the family Loganiaceae, a semideciduous small tree, 2-9 m high, with spreading branches and a compact, rounded crown, which grows on both deep and loamy sands.
Site Suitability, Early Survival, and Growth Performance of Five Indigenous Tree Species to Integrate in Urban Green Space of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Background We evaluated site suitability, early survival, and growth performance for Juniperus procera, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Vachellia abyssinica, Hagenia abyssinica, and Afrocarpus falcatus in the urban landscape of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods The MaxEnt model was used to evaluate site suitability for the 5 indigenous species. For the early survival study, experimental plots were established and 500 seedlings, 100 seedlings for each species, were planted on 2021 July 15 and monitored until 2022 February 30 for a total of 225 days. Silvicultural activities such as mulching, weeding, and watering were conducted. Every 45 days, measurements of height, root collar diameter (RCD), death, damage, wilting, and defoliation were recorded. Results The result of the study indicated that the Addis Ababa area is well to moderately suitable to grow the 5 species. Mean survival rates marginally declined over the course of 225 days, from 99.6% at 45 days after planting to 90.4% at 225 days after planting. Eighteen V. abyssinica seedlings were found to be dead. Wild animals browsed and damaged 45% of O. europaea seedlings. H. abyssinica had the highest growth performance. The study shows that, relative to the other 4 species, V abyssinica had a greater number of wilted, defoliated, and dead seedlings. Conclusion Each of the 5 species had a high rate of early survival and found the urban environment to be suitable. This result will assist in the shift away from planting only exotic tree species in green spaces and encourage the presence of indigenous tree species.