Community practices and conservation concerns: a study on the utilization and management of Terminalia brownii in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Terminalia brownii is a multi-purpose tree used to treat bacterial, fungal, and allergic infections and malarial diseases. T. brownii is over utilized for fumigation purposes and for an income source illegally cut from the wild and in all its growing areas. However, the T. brownii overutilization with sustainable use interplay within the resource potential of species in the Amhara region seems intricate and not well understood. The study was conducted with an aim to assess T. brownii distribution, utilization, and management in the Bati and Dawa Cheffa districts of the Amhara region. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 111 (male = 56 and female = 25) home garden and 30 farmland owners (All Males). In addition, a total of 81 sample plots from home gardens and 30 sample plots from farmlands were taken for observation in the growing niches. Home gardens and farmlands emerge as predominant niches for cultivation of T. brownii, primarily utilized for fumigation to help strength and healthiness of mother during child birth and to insect repellent in the house (55.9%). Respondents highlight stems and twigs as the most commonly used plant parts (92.2% and 50.7%, respectively), with pruning identified as the most effective management practice. Population structure reveals an inverted J-shaped curve, due to unsustainable exploitation of the species by the local people. This characteristic implies a potential challenge to the species' regeneration and recruitment capacity. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the ecological and socio-economic significance of T. brownii, emphasizing the importance of balancing utilization with conservation efforts.