The role of area closure on the recovery of woody species composition on degraded lands and its socio-economic importance in central rift valley area, Ethiopia

The study was carried out in degraded lands in Central Rift Valley area of Ethiopia in 2012. The main aims of the study were to assess the woody species composition, structure, regeneration, density and diversity in the area closures and in an open area; and to assess the socioeconomic importance of area closures to the local communities. Three area closures and one open area were considered. For vegetation survey, randomized sampling technique was used to locate the sample plots in each area. A total of 60 circular sample plots of each 314 m2area were used. In each plot, heights, diameters and numbers of existing woody species were recorded. To assess socio-economic importance of the area closures, group discussion with 10 key informants, and 40 household heads survey were made using semi structured questionnaire.  A total of 26 species belonging to 14 families were identified in the study area. The number of species recorded in an open area, and area closures of four-year, seven-year and 25-years were 13, 20, 23 and 15 respectively. The majority of the local people (85%) expressed positive attitude towards the benefits of area closures in rehabilitation woody species in the area. About 65% of the respondents confirmed that they had benefited from the area closures in one way or another. Thus, it can be concluded that, the area closures in the Central Rift Valley brought changes by rehabilitating degraded lands and eventually brought economic, social and ecological benefits to the local communities. In addition to what is covered with this study, further studies on dynamics of soils physical and chemical properties should be made to understand wide-ranging benefits of area closures. For sustainable maintenance of the rehabilitated areas and their contribution to the livelihood of to the local communities, setting tangible benefit sharing schemes from the closures, and diversify alternative sources of income are vital.