DIVERSITY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC VALUES OF COFFEE-SHADE TREE SPECIES IN COFFEE BASED AGROFORESTARY IN GEDEO ZONE, SNNPRS, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to assess the diversity and socio-economic importance of coffee shadetree species in coffee based agroforestry in Gedeo zone, Ethiopia. A preferential sampling method was employed for inventory of coffee shade tree species. Among different districts found in Gedeo zone, Wonago and Yirga cheffe were selected purposively for the present study. Plots of 132 by 20mx20m were established for vegetation data collection and a total of 365 Households were preferentially selected from each sites for socio economic data collection.The vegetation data was analyzed for tree diversity, Importance value index, similarity coefficient, density, Basal Area, canopy cover and other structural parameters. Socio-economic data collected through open ended question, semi-structured interviews, and field observation. A total 29 coffee- shade tree species belonging to 16 families were recorded. Dominantlyrepresented families were Fabaceae in which recorded 7species belong, followed by Moracea and Euphorbiacea in the second with (3) andRutacea, mrytacea and Rosacea in the third rank with (2)species. Other 10 families were on the 4th rank with onespecies recorded in each family. The Shannon diversity index showed a higher diversity of plants in Harru site (H`=3.11), as compared to Konga and Sugale (H`=2.98), Mokonnisa (H`=2.82), Dumerso (H`=2.78) and Kara Sodity (H`=2.65). Similarity index of the species ranged from 0.32-0.84. About 40% of the similarity index was greater than 0.6and 60% was less than 0.6. Regarding vegetation structure the current study has 1244.5 individual/ha. The average DBH and height of trees in the surveyed coffee farms was 55.78cm and 32m, respectively. About 85% and 15% of households practice coffee based agroforestry as 1st and 2nd choice of activities. As compared with other income sources, coffee-based agroforestry were covered greater than other total income source. Coffee based agroforestry system was used for food, cash crop, medicinal spice, fodder, shade, and others alternative income sources of house holders. The coffee-based agroforestry system incomes were 17,877 ,5899, 6776, 13,676, 18,321 and 6453 ETB fruit,leaves and fodder, stem, tuber and root, medicinal and spices, coffee bean and othersrespectively.It was concluded that coffee- shade agroforestry system is an important land use system in slowing down loss of biodiversity and should therefore be encouraged.