ABSTRACT
Bamboo is a unique species with hybrid characteristics of woody species and herbaceous grass. It has a biological feature of natural death after flowering during which it become vulnerable to anthropogenic threats and subsequent degradation. This peculiarity, thus, requires a meticulous study of its ecology and regeneration status. This study was done to assess the regeneration status of lowland bamboo following its gregarious flowering and death in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Homosha District, Jima and Sherkole Kebeles, North West of Ethiopia.
A systematic random sampling technique was used to assess the lowland bamboo and its regeneration status. A total of 20 and 11 sample plots were used form Jima and Shorkole kebeles respectively, and each plot was of a size 10 x 10 m, laid out in protected and unprotected bamboo forests. Inventory results were also complemented by Field observation, FGDs, and semi structured surveys of 80 households. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The findings of this study showed that on average number of seedlings and culms on protected and unprotected site are 252250 & 121364 seedlings per hectare and 9185 & 3555 culms per hectare respectively. Moreover,it is found that there is significant difference (one-way ANOVA, p <0.05) in density, height of mature culms between the protected and non-protected sites. This implies that protecting of the area positively contribute to improve regeneration of bamboo after mass flowering. The height and diameter class distribution indicated highest number of individuals in the lower classes suggesting that the age of the forest after mass flowering and death is not more than 4 to 5 years hence regeneration could be sensitive to the anthropogenic disturbances. The results also revealed that there is intensive and selective harvesting of bamboo with larger size in the unprotected site than in the protected site. The trend of bamboo utilization and harvesting was increasing from time to time while unfortunately, the resource base is declining fast against the demand. HHs harvest bamboo at an age of <1 & ≥3 years and harvesting intensity was observed to be much focused on culms size rather than age class. Seventy five percent of respondents across the management systems confirmed they used to cut culms whenever they need the resource with regard to the trend of bamboo culms utilization, the majority of the respondents (93.8%) ranked construction as their primary choice. Although there is intensive traditional use of bamboo, there is no similar engagement in its management. It is found that only 49% of the community involve in managing and conservation of bamboo. The present study further revealed several problems that are hindering the natural regeneration of lowland bamboo. Some of the most important problems were frequent fires, conversion of bamboo into farm land after mass flowering and death and overexploitation of bamboo by people from refugee camps. These problems may lead to unsuccessful future regeneration practices. Thus, unsustainable utilization and poor conservation practices lead to poor regeneration and subsequent shrinkage of bamboo forests in the study area. Based on the findings, it is recommended that enclosure of mass flowered bamboo areas until it fully regenerates and controlled utilization then after. For this purpose, an alternative management protocol should be developed for the region in order to save the remaining bamboo stand from further depletion and ensure its sustainable utilization.
Key words: Anthropogenic threat, bamboo regeneration, lowland bamboo, Management, Utilization
