WOODY SPECIES DIVERSITY, MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND DETERMINANTS OF THEIR DIVERSITY IN HOMEGARDENS OF HADERO TUNTO DISTRICT, KEMBATA TEMBARO ZONE, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

Homegarden agroforestry contributes significantly to the conservation of woody species while also improving human well-being. Although homegardens are known to substantially contribute to various benefits to households, there is a lack of information on the benefits of homegardens in study area. Therefore, this study was initiated to assess woody species diversity and management practices and the factors that affect woody plant species diversity in homegardens of study area. In order to choose a sufficient sample, a total of 180 households were randomly selected for the household survey. Fifteen households from each kebele, totally 45 households from the three study kebeles, were randomly chosen to assess the diversity of woody species in the homegarden. Utilizing descriptive statistics, the socioeconomic data from the household survey was examined. In 20m x 20m, 5m x 5m, and 2m x 2m plots, respectively, woody species with ≥5cm DBH and below 5 cm were measured, counted and recorded. In the study region, 47 different species of woody plants from 27 different families were identified from homegardens. The fabaceae and rutaceae were the predominant families that contributed to the area's overall species richness. In study area, mandoye kebele was higher (35) in terms of species richness than hachacho (33) and homa (22) and evenness was greater at mandoye (1) than at hachacho (0.99) or homa (0.88). Mandoye and hachacho kebeles had the most similarity of species (83%) in study area, Farmers engage in management techniques such pruning, thinning, composting, weeding, digging, and watering in the area to assist the management of all woody species. Finally, this study showed that homegarden agroforestry is vital for biodiversity conservation and food security. Therefore, improving the contribution of agroforestry for its economic, social, and environmental benefit in the study area will be possible by choosing the suitable combination of homegarden components and by determining the kind of tree species and their proper management techniques.