Abstract:
The rangeland vegetation composition, health and condition analysis are basic source of
information in the sustainable management and planning of rangelands. Therefore, this study
aimed to determine vegetation composition, diversity and abundance as well as to assess
rangeland condition and traditional management practices in Sawena district of east Bale
zone. Three kebeles were identified using stratified random sampling techniques based on
altitudinal variation and 92 households were selected using random sampling techniques
proportionally from three kebeles. Both structured and semi-structured questionnaires were
used for individual households. Vegetation data was collected from 36 quadrats having the
size of (20m*20m) (400m2
) for tree species as well as sub-quadrats of (5m*5m) 25m2 within
the main quadrat for shrubs and (1m*1m) (1m2
) for herbaceous species using nested plot
design. Transect lines was followed and the distance between quadrat along the transect line
was 100m. Frequency and percentage were used in respondents’ data analysis. Shannon
Wiener's diversity index, Simpson index, species richness, and evenness were computed to
describe the vegetation composition. A total of 30 woody plant species were collected and out
of these 17 species were tree and 13 species were shrubs. In addition, 23 herbaceous species
were collected in the study area. The Shannon’s diversity index of woody plant species were
1.62, 1.93 and 2.2 in dry to wet cool highland, dry to moist lowland and arid lowland,
respectively. The evenness of woody plant species were 0.6, 0.69 and 0.77 in dry to wet cool
highland, dry to moist lowland and arid lowland, respectively. The traditional rangeland
management practices indicated that herds splitting, mobility during dry season, controlling
bush encroachment, and enclosures are mainly used by the local communities. The total
rangeland condition score of dry to wet cool highland was 26.49±2.3, categorized as fair
while dry to moist lowland and arid lowland were 19.0±2.14 and 18.49±1.9, categorized as
poor. Generally, rangeland vegetation composition and condition showed a decreasing
pattern due to lack of proper management practices, recurrent drought, and bush
encroachment, which require attention from the local community and responsible sectors.
