The study on local knowledge on tree and shrubs species management practices, and diversityrncarried out in Awbare Wereda of Somali Regional State. The study was conducted in eightrnkebeles which were selected on the basis of the presence of two different land uses, Agropastoralismrnand pastoralism. Vegatation data were collected from 48 sample quadrats thatrnwere laid in 16 transects. Each quadrat had a size of 400 m2. To assess the land use system,rnlocal treeand shrubs management and utilization, indigenous knowledge of trees/shrubsrnmanagement and traditional rules, norms and customs governing tree management and accessrnto common property resources, eighty households were randomly selected from the eightvillagesrnand questionnaire survey was undertaken. Analysis of the vegetation data revealed thatrna total of 80 woody species, 44 at pastoralists land use and 36 at agro-pastoralists land use,rndistributed in 30 genera and 22 families were encountered. Fabaceae and Burseraceae werernfound to be the predominant species comprising 27.5% and 20% of the species composition,rnrespectively, while Acacia and Commiphora were found to be the predominant generarncomprising 18.75% and 16.25% of the species composition, respectively. Among the eightyrecordedrnwoody species, trees were the dominant growth forms accounting for about 72.5% ofrnthe total species composition while shrubs contributed 27.5%. The result showed the existencernof high diversity and evenness values for both land uses. Variation existed in vegetationrndiversity and density between the pastoralist and agropastoralist land uses, with the formerrnshowing higher values for both variables. The trees and shrubs play very important economicrnand ecological roles in the study area that inclue a critical support to the livestock sector,rnwhich is the mainstay of the regions economy. Extraction of gum and incense could playrnsignificant role to the local economy, but they are getting much due to poor infrastructure. Thernhousehold survey also disclosed that the pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities have arnwealth of traditional knowledge about their environment and itâ€™s management. However, theyrnare being prevented from using it due to the weakening of traditional institutions for decisionrnmaking and resource control and its replacement by alternative power structures that do notrnhave sufficient knowledge base about the area. Over the last decade, the increasing human andrnlivestock population is exerting too much pressure on the woodlands leading to degradation inrnsome areas. Regarding degradation of the vegetation, there should be a process of enablingrncustomary and local institutions that best use the traditional knowledge in natural resourcesrnmanagement. Policy options that would improve conservation and sustainable utilization of thernnatural resources should also be developed.rnKey words: Plant diversity, Agropastoralism, Pastoralism, Indigenous knowledge, AwbarernWereda