Tree Species Diversity, Preference and Management in Smallholder Coffee Farms of Western Wellega, Ethiopia

Shade coffee agroforestry systems have the potential to support biodiversity. Yet assets and limits of their contribution are insufficiently documented. A sound understanding of farmer strategies in the management of coffee tree biodiversity is also critical to landscape approaches for biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement. The objective of this study was to assess tree species diversity, preference and management practice in smallholder coffee farms of Babo Gembel, District, Western Wellega Ethiopia. Three Kebeles purposively and two villages randomly from each site were selected. Tree species diversity inventories were studied in a random sample of 54 coffee farms. A total of 29 tree species representing 15 families of which twenty four (83%) of these species were indigenous and the remaining five (17%) exotic species were recorded in coffee farms. There was significant difference (p<0.05) between kebeles in terms of species diversity. Wealth status of the household influenced the tree species diversity of coffee farms. The rich class was found to own more diversified tree species. Farmers grow indigenous multipurpose trees on their farms based on perceived ecological and economic usefulness of the species. Transplanting seedling of preferred shade tree species from natural forest in to coffee farms were the most common traditional practice. Pruning, thinning, weeding, hoeing, and watering were the most common management practice for the coffee farm system. Few weeks after onset of the main rainy season, most herbaceous vegetation, emerge and compete with coffee and should be cleared. In general, traditional coffee production system is an important land use system in conserving native tree species and should therefore be encouraged. Keywords: Coffee farm, preference, structure, tree diversity, Western Oromia Ethiopia