A Study On The Ethnobotany Of Medicinal Plants And Floristic Composition Of The Dry Afromontane Forest At Bale Mountains National Park Ethiopia

An ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants of Bale Mountains National Park and adjacentrnareas in Sinana Dinsho, Goba and Adaba Districts, and floristic composition of the DryrnAfromontane Forest in the park was conducted during 30/07/03 – 12/08/03, September 2003,rnNovember 2003, January 2004 and June 2004. A total of 176 medicinal plants were documentedrnfrom the ethnomedicinal investigation. These species are distributed among 141 genera and 71rnfamilies. About 57.95%, 11.36% and 30.68% of these plants are used to treat only human, onlyrnlivestock and both human and livestock ailments respectively. A total of 74 human and 25rnlivestock ailments were reported. Hepatitis B from human, and blackleg, Darissaa & hepatitisrn(Dhukuba Alati) from livestock ailments were the most frequently reported ailments. The mostrnutilized growth forms are herbs (91 species, 51.7%) followed by shrubs (64 species, 36.36%).rnLeaves (40.88%) followed by roots (34.71%) are the most frequently used plant parts forrntraditional medicine. Usually, fresh materials are preferred for medicine preparations that arernprocessed mostly by crushing, concoction and decoction. Drinking the prepared medicines is thernmost frequently applied method of drug application. The most recurrently used route of drugrnadministration is oral and this is followed by dermal. The most common local uses of these plantsrnother than their medicinal values include forage (27.88%), fencing (19.23%), firewood (17.31%)rnand construction (15.87%). Nearly half (44.19%) of the informants consulted are aware tornconserve rare plants in their surroundings. Significant numbers of beliefs useful for thernconservation of medicinal plants were detected but they are being neglected by the youthrngeneration. The major threats to medicinal plants in the study area are agricultural expansion &rnintensification and deforestation for various purposes. Indigenous knowledge is mostlyrntransferred to an elect of a family member in word of mouths. This is thus prone to fragmentationrnand /or loss. Therefore, integration of indigenous studies in school curricula and in situ and exrnsitu conservation of locally scarce medicinal plants is mandatory.rnFor the floristic composition study, a total of 90 plots were established at three sites (Adelle,rnBoditi and Gaysay) in an altitudinal range of 3008 – 3408 m. The cover abundance values,rndensity, and diameter at breast height and list of species were then generated from each plot.rnAbout 230 species belonging to 157 genera and 58 families were identified and documented fromrnthis investigation alone. Analysis of vegetation data revealed 5 homogenous clusters. The densityrnof trees in the diameter class >2 cm is 766 and 458 individuals /ha respectively at Adelle andrnBoditi forests. The basal area of Adelle forest is 26.39m2 /ha whereas it is 23.34 m2 /ha for Boditirnforest. About 43.34% of the basal area at Adelle and 56.65% at Boditi forests are contributed byrnJuniperus procera and Hagenia abyssinica respectively. Both Adelle & Boditi are found at anrnearlier secondary stage of development and have more or less a similar trend of development.rnThe population structures of tree species were assessed and these have clearly signaled thernoccurrence of excessive cutting of selected size classes of ecologically, economically andrnmedically important tree species for various purposes particularly for construction purpose.rnThese have also enabled to evaluate the reproduction and /or regeneration status of useful tree species.

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