Ethnobotanical study of homegarden plant diversity and management practices in Mida Kegni district, West Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract This study aims to document and analyze the ethnobotanical diversity and management practices of homegarden plant species in Mida Kegni District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Ethnobotanical information was gathered through semi-structured interviews, direct homegarden observations, and market surveys. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, including frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density, the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, and various ranking techniques to assess species diversity and cultural significance. A total of 160 informants were purposively selected from four kebeles, representing a broad cross-section of the community. Among them, 12 key informants were identified based on their age, gender, indigenous knowledge, and duration of residence in the area. The study identified and recorded 138 plant species distributed across 119 genera. Of these, herbs accounted for 54 species, trees for 37 species, shrubs for 38 species, and climbers for 9 species. Fabaceae was the richest family, comprising 15 species, followed by Poaceae with 11 species. The documented species were categorized according to their diverse uses, including food, medicine, spice, fodder, and construction materials. The findings further indicated that both men and women actively participate in the management and conservation of homegarden plants, highlighting the gender-inclusive nature of traditional agroforestry practices. The study concludes that homegardens in study district harbor rich ethnobotanical diversity and play a vital role in sustaining household livelihoods, food security, and biodiversity conservation. Hence, the promotion and scaling up of homegarden practices be prioritized as an effective strategy for conserving useful plant species.