Mass flowering of farmers’ semelparous bamboo (Arundinaria alpina K. Schum.) in Seka-Chekorsa district, Western Ethiopia: its impacts and implications for management

ABSTRACT

Highland bamboo (Arundinaria alpina, synonym Yushania alpina) is a characteristic and dominant semelparous species in the Afromontane vegetation of Ethiopia. It is utilized for numerous applications. Mass flowering of the species seems to be associated to conversion to other land uses. Objectives of the study were to document a mass flowering event, determine fruiting characteristics, understand the perception of communities, and assess its consequences in Seka-Chekorsa district, western Ethiopia. Focus group discussions and GIS-based assessment were conducted in 13 Peasant Associations (PAs). Our results show that highland bamboo flowering is gregarious and time to seed maturity takes about a year. The extent of mass flowering in each PA ranged from 41-88% of the the bamboo forest. Majority of the respondents (43%) perceived that the bamboo flowering event occurred because of God’s wrath, 38% related it to the age of the bamboo plants, and 19% attributed the event to a disease, indicating low awareness regarding the reproduction of the species. Perceived impacts of the mass flowering event were an increased soil erosion, changes in microclimate, reduction in water flow, and negative consequences on farmers’ economy. Farmers urgently need training on the management of the species at its reproductive stage.

KEYWORDS:

• Consequence
• monocarpic
• perception
• reproductive stage
• seed processing
• consequence

Acknowledgements

We gratefully thank the Institutional Strengthening Program of the UNDP-Ethiopian Forest Development for the financial support for the research work. We also highly recognize the contribution of Bitew Shibabaw of the Ethiopian Forest Development for his due understanding of the consequence of mass flowering event in the study area and facilitating financial procurement. Hailu Belay, Director of Jimma Forest Development Center thoroughly supported the execution of the GIS-based survey and discussions held with farmers in the study area, hence highly appreciated. The farmers engaged in the research work are highly accredited for their experiences and views in all aspects of the research.

Notes

1. PA stands for Peasant Association. It is the lowest administrative unit next to district. It is also called Farmers’ Association or locally Kebele (in Amharic language).

2. A bamboo lot is a small area of bamboo forest.