http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/1828 2026-10-13T01:50:27Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17398 Ecological Dynamics, Ethnobotany, And Carbon Sequestration Potential Of Woody Plant Species In The Zegie Peninsula And Neighboring Monastic Forests, Northwest Ethiopia Abebe, Worku Amberbir The forests of the Zegie Peninsula and the nearby monastic islands of Lake Tana constitute a bioculturally, economically, and environmentally important remnant of Afromontane Forest in northwestern Ethiopia. These forests harbor high woody species diversity, store substantial amounts of carbon, and sustain long-established indigenous knowledge systems related to medicinal plant use and coffee-based agroforestry. Despite their ecological and cultural importance, the forests are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures, necessitating an integrated ecological and ethnobotanical assessment. This monograph synthesizes findings from four interrelated objectives: assessment of woody species diversity, vegetation structure and regeneration; estimation of aboveground and belowground biomass and carbon sequestration potential; documentation of medicinal plant diversity and use patterns as well as threats to medicinal plants; and evaluation of indigenous shade tree species selection and management practices in coffee agroforestry systems.Vegetation and carbon stock data were collected from 165 systematically established plots across the Zegie Peninsula and three monastic islands (Kebran Gebriel, Entons Eyesus, Daga Estifanos). Ethnobotanical information was gathered through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and guided field walks. A total of 162 woody species, 81 medicinal plant species, and 20 shade tree species were recorded, confirming the exceptional biological and cultural richness of the study area. The forests exhibited high species diversity, relatively balanced population structures, and generally healthy regeneration patterns, although several ecologically and economically important species showed poor regeneration. Mean total carbon stock was estimated to be 196.4 tons C ha⁻¹, highlighting the strong climate change mitigation potential of these forests. Carbon storage varied significantly among sites and was more strongly influenced by topographic factors than by classical biodiversity metrics. The low contribution of soil physicochemical characteristics (31.3%) to species spatial variation indicates that anthropogenic pressures and natural disturbances play a major role in shaping the plant communities of the Zegie Peninsula and nearby monastic island forests. Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) analysis showed that selective cutting had a significant negative effect on species richness and seedling density, indicating that anthropogenic disturbance reduces biodiversity and limits natural regeneration, while stand density of mature trees remained relatively stable, suggesting a late response of forest structure to disturbance. Medicinal plant use was characterized by high informant consensus for common ailments, XIX reflecting deep-rooted traditional healthcare practices. However, ethnobotanical knowledge was unevenly distributed among social groups and showed signs of erosion, particularly among younger generations. Indigenous knowledge also played a central role in sustaining coffee-based agroforestry systems. Farmers applied complex ecological, functional, and cultural criteria in shade tree selection, favoring species that enhance coffee yield and soil fertility, minimal root competition, and microclimatic regulation. Monastic institutions was found as key custodians of indigenous tree species through long-standing religious norms and management practices. In general, the forests of the Zegie Peninsula and neighboring islands function as important biodiversity refugia, significant carbon sinks, and living repositories of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants use and management as well as selection and management of shade tree species in coffee-based agroforestry system. Strengthening community-based conservation, promoting intergenerational knowledge transmission, and integrating carbon-focused incentive mechanisms with indigenous management practices are essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of these unique forest landscapes. 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17049 Prevalence of Placental Malaria, Plasmodium Falciparum's Histidine Rich Protein 2/3 Gene Deletions and Kelch-13 Gene Mutations among Pregnant Women in Selected Health Facilities of Ethiopia Banchamlak, Tegegne Background: Placental malaria (PM) represents a significant public health burden for both pregnant women and their fetus. The diagnosis of malaria in Ethiopia primarily relies on blood film microscopy using stained thick and thin blood films and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). However, RDTs pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions result in misdiagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infection. According to WHO recommendation, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) were used as a first line anti-malarial drug in the country. On the contrary, a mutation in the PfKelch13 gene was found to be associated with artemisinin resistance in endemic countries including Ethiopia.Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of placental malaria, pfk13 gene mutation, pfhrp2/3 gene deletion and performance evaluation of lactate dehydrogenase based RDTs among symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women in selected health facilities (Andasa Health Center, Chis Abay Health Center, Hamusit Health Center, Kurgen Health Center, Uffa Health Center, Gambella General Hospital, Gambella Primary Hospital, and Gebretsadik Shewa Hospital) of Ethiopia. Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2023 at selected eight health facilities of Ethiopia. Nine hundred twenty-two pregnant women were enrolled for placental malaria prevalence study, and their placenta samples were examined for Plasmodium infection using smear microscopy and Loop-mediated isothermal amplification method. For LDH based RDT kit performance evaluation, 302 pregnant women suspected of malaria were recruited and samples were examined using blood film microscopy, CareStart RDT, Boicredit RDT and PET PCR for the detection of Plasmodium species. For hrp2/3 gene deletion and ACT drug resistance molecular marker detection, 275 pregnant women with P. falciparum infection were purposively recruited. For hrp2/3 gene deletion detection, Bio-Rad QX200 ddPCR machine was used to look at 3 targets (HRP2 exon 1, HRP 2 exon 2 and HRP 3) and their concentration in relation to tRNA ligase. Genomic DNA from P. falciparum laboratory reference strains was included in each ddPCR assay as experimental controls. The P. falciparum k13 propeller domain was amplified from genomic DNA samples by nested PCR and its products were run on 2% agarose gel and bidirectional Sanger sequencing was performed. Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and necessary clinical data were collected using Redcap software in the anti-natal clinic and labor ward. Results: Of the total recruited pregnant women, thirteen samples (1.4%) were positive with LAMP methods of which eight (61.5%) of them had VI P. falciparum infections and five of them (38.5%) had P. vivax infections. From the total analyzed samples with ddPCR, 15% (31/207) of parasites had fully deleted hrp2/3 genes. A separate analysis of hrp2 and hrp3 gene deletion showed that 17.9% (37/207) and 41.5% (86/207) of the samples carried hrp2 and hrp3 gene deleted parasites respectively. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of BIOCREDIT Pf/Pv (pLDH/pLDH) were 55.6% (95%CI: 46.1 64.7) and 77.9% (95% CI: 74.2-81.2) against a PET-PCR reference test respectively which was higher as compared to CareStart™ Pf/Pv (HRP2/pLDH). From the total 227 sequenced samples, 18.9 % (43/227) had pfk13 gene mutations with a total of 13 SNPs (point mutations) including ten non-synonymous mutations and three synonymous mutations. The G596E, H588Y, I406R and T587I are novel non-synonymous mutations which have never been described elsewhere. Three WHO approved k13 resistance markers (R622I, A675V and R539T) were detected. Conclusion: Both P. falciparum and P. vivax, including asymptomatic infections, contribute to placental malaria. High pfhrp2/3 deletion rates and the presence of pfk13 resistance mutations pose major diagnostic and treatment concerns in Ethiopia. Continued molecular surveillance using ddPCR and whole genome sequencing is essential. 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16996 Ethnobotanical Investigation Of Medicinal Plants And Antibacterial Test Of Selected Medicinal Plant Extracts In Sedie Muja District, South Gondar Zone, Amhara Regional State, North West Ethiopia Walelign, Alemu Ethno botany is a broad term referring to the study of relationship between people and plants. The main objective of this study is to conduct an ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants and antibacterial test of selected medicinal plant extracts in Sedie Muja District. This research was conducted in Sedie Muja District, South Gondar Administration Zone of Amhara Regional State, and Northwest Ethiopia. Ethnobotanical data were collected from January 2025 to April 2025. A total of 96 informants from the four study kebeles (78 general informants and 18 key informants) were selected. Ethnobotanical data were gathered through unstructured interview, group discussion, guided field walk and market survey. The collected data were analyzed using preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, informant consensus factor, fidelity level index and one way ANOVA at 95% confidence level between means using SPSS software version 21. A total of 76 medicinal plant species in 70 genera and 45 families were recorded. From those, 39 species (51%) were cited for the treatment of only human ailments whereas 13(17%) species were reported for treating only livestock ailments and 24 species(32%) for treating both humans and livestock ailments. Shrubs constituted the largest growth habit (33species) followed by herbs (26 species). Forty (40) human ailments in ten disease categories were identified. Among these, animal biting (0.89) diseases categories had the highest ICF values. Seventeen veterinary (17) ailments in 8 disease categories were identified. Few medicinal plants were sold in the market. Fuel wood collection, agricultural land expansion, overgrazing, construction, and timber production, were the threatening factors of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Four medicinal plants (Ostostegia integrifolia, Clematis simnesis, Verbascum sinaiticum and Utrica simensis were investigated for their antibacterial properties using agar disk diffusion method using methanol solvents. The highest antibacterial activity (13.33 mm) was observed from methanol extract of Verbascum sinaiticum root extract. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was recorded in Verbascum sinaiticum root extract. In the present study, 76 plant species of medicinal importance were recorded and documented. In the district 40 human disease types and about (17) veterinary ailment were identified. Threats on medicinal plants in the study area were agricultural expansion, charcoal making and fire wood collection, collection of construction woods, overgrazing, timber production and cutting. Further studies should be conducted on qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis on the medicinal plants such as Verbascum sinaiticum and Clematis simensis that do have better antibacterial activity. Key word : Antibacterial activity, Indigenous Knowledge and Informant consensus factor 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16985 Diversity and Relative Abundance of Medium and Large-Sized Mammals and Human-wildlife Conflict in and around Wolete Petros Unity Monastery, Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia Solomon, Gedif Ethiopia is recognized for its rich biodiversity, due to diverse ecosystems and varied topography. However, wildlife habitats face significant threats from various anthropogenic activities, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict (HWC).This study was conducted to investigate the diversity and relative abundance of medium and large-sized mammals and to assess the extent and causes of HWC in and around Wolete Petros Unity Monastery, Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected from June to Augus 2025 using block count method across 12 systematically selected blocks. Direct observations and indirect evidence, such as footprints, scats, and vocalizations, were used to record species occurrence. For the HWC assessment, a questionnaire survey was administered to 120 randomly selected households from eight villages, supplemented by direct observations and focus group discussions. A total of 15 medium and large-sized mammal species belonging to 4 orders and 8 families were recorded. The order Primates and Artiodactyla was the most diverse each contains (5 species, 33.33%), followed by Carnivora (3 species, 20%), and Rodentia,2 species,3.34%0. A total of 158 individuals were counted, with the Olive Baboon (Papio anubis) being the most abundant species (n=75, 40.1%). The Shannon- Wiener diversity index (H'=1.627) and Simpson’s index (1-D=0.713) indicated a moderate level of species diversity with relatively high evenness (J = 0.487). Forest habitats supported the highest species richness and abundance. HWC assessment revealed that habitat degradation (56.7%) and farmland expansion around forest edges (25%) were the primary causes of conflict. Crop damage was most severe in the forest zone (62.5%), with maize being the most frequently raided crop. Fruiting and vegetative stages of crops were the most vulnerable. Guarding (day and night) was the most common used mitigation strategy, primarily performed by children and men using stones and sticks. Species group composition was dominated by adults (46.2%), followed by juveniles (32.9%) and infants (20.9%). Klipspringer ( አንቺችክሳ), was a small mammal species of the family Bovidae found across a rocky and grass habitats of the monastery. It had a reddish-brown coat, straight male horns. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z