Exclosure land management for restoration of herbaceous species in degraded communal grazing lands in Southern Tigray

ABSTRACT Herbaceous species contribute to the largest proportion of the fodder. Despite the profound benefits obtained, anthropogenic disturbances are hindering its development. On the other hand, to ensure the sustainability of herbaceous species, communities and governments have been putting efforts in managing herbaceous species through the establishment of area exclosure (AE). Thus, the main importance of this research paper is to provide information about the role of AE on the restoration of herbaceous species. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of restoration on the herbaceous species following AE established on communal grazing land (CGL). A total of 124 and 73 quadrats of 1×1m 2 size were laid down at 50 m intervals along parallel transects at AE and CGL, respectively, and data were analyzed by t-test unequal variances using R-software. AE displayed higher plant species richness and diversity than the CGL and showed a significant difference (p<0.001). Similarly, the AE had significantly (p< 0.001) higher forage biomass than the CGL. In general, herbaceous species diversity index and species richness were significantly (p< 0.001) higher in the AE compared to the CGL. The study concluded that effective AE has the potential to enhance the restoration of herbaceous species and hence forage productivity.