| dc.description.abstract | Change in Land use practices are important indicators of socio-cultural and economic
advancement. The common practices for example, rapid human settlement development and
unsustainable livestock farming affect distribution of the dominant trees, conversely,
Influence of the change in practices on the tree species diversity Richness, Evenness, and
abundance is understood. Farm-forestry is contributing to the restoration of trees. However,
information relating the 10% Farm-forestry and tree species diversity Richness, Evenness,
and abundance is contradicting. Palatable tree organs are unsustainably harvested for forage
supplement. Even so, proof about the Influence of stocking rate on the tree species diversity
Richness, Evenness, and abundance was attracting varied qualitative justifications in the
literature. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the Influence of land use practices on
dominant tree species diversity, Richness, Evenness, and abundance. The specific objectives
of this research were; to analyze Influence of human settlement on the species diversity,
Richness, Evenness, and abundance to evaluate the Influence of farm-forestry on the species
diversity, Richness, Evenness, and abundance and; to assess the Influence of livestock
farming on the species diversity, Richness, Evenness, and abundance. Out of 33,565
households, using Fisher‟s formula, a sample size of 384 household heads was recruited for
questionnaire administration between December 18th 2021 and February 24th of 2022.
Descriptive cross-sectional survey design and Systematic random sampling was used.
Primary data sources included; questionnaires, Focused Group Discussions, key informants,
observation, measurement, and photography. Secondary data was extracted from;
Geographical text books, publications, and print media. The Tree species that had a Diameter
at Breast Height of ≥ 5.0 inches were enumerated and their diversity, richness, evenness, and
abundance measured using Shannon Wiener‟s Diversity index. Palatability tests were
performed, and tree forage preference measured using Manly‟s alpha/Chesson‟s index.
Qualitative data on specific objectives which had mean scores were compared using the
Independent Two-sample t test. The written and verbal information were categorized and
analyzed theme wise. The Hubbert‟s Bubble pattern of depletion theoretical model was used.
Quantitative data was processed by Microsoft Excel and analyzed using the R Statistics
version 4.1.3. The null hypothesis was rejected, the multiple Coefficient of Determination
(R2) showed that 67.6%, 57.2%, 48.4%, and 45.6% of the variations in the species Diversity,
Richness, Evenness, and Abundance respectively could significantly be explained by the
joint variation in the values of independent variables. The result revealed an average Shannon
Wiener‟s diversity index (H) of M = 1.58, SD = 0.24 compared to a possible maximum of H
= 4.5. A significant estimate of 52% of the sampled Dominant trees were established through
planting. From the 27 tree species studied, an average richness (M= 6.00, SD = 2.41) and an
abundance of (M = 36, SD = 2.46) per acre was reported. At approximately 13% Eucalyptus
SPP was the highest ranked followed by Markhamia lutea at nearly 12%. A significant round
figure of 59% of the species richness was composed of the indigenous trees. Species
evenness was (M = .71, SD = 0.04), however, the enumerated 2510 trees with an average age
of (M = 9.22, SD = 4.42) years, and DBH of (M = 6.83, SD = 1.99), the exotic trees registered
a higher abundance of about 56%. It was therefore concluded that the studied Land Use
Practices significantly influenced the dominant tree species diversity, richness, evenness, and
abundance. To mitigate the low tree species diversity, richness, evenness, and abundance, it
is crucial to sensitize the stakeholders on the ecological functions and benefits of diversifying
the tree species establishments. | en_US |
