Seedling Survival and Plantation Success in the Drylands of Northern Ethiopia

Abstract We studied tree seedling survival rates and plantation success of Growth and Transformation Plan I (GTP I) (2011–2015) in the drylands of Northern Ethiopia. The study was carried out in six randomly selected districts of Tigrai that represents three agro-ecological zones; highland, midland and lowland. A biophysical survey was conducted to assess the survival rates of tree seedlings and the success of the plantation activity. The study employed both primary and secondary data sources. The results of the study showed that there were variations in the survival of planted tree seedlings among plantation sites of the same village, between the villages of the same district and among the districts. Thus, the regional mean survival rate of planted tree seedlings was 52% and ranged from 0 to 100%. The planting activity was not encouraging, and the reasons were lack of pre and post planting management, moisture stress, poor soil and site condition, planting unmanageable number of seedlings, weak law enforcement and lack of monitoring and evaluation mechanism. In the study area, four types of ownership were identified; private, communal, state and youth groups. Among the ownership types, private was the most successful while the communal was the least successful. For successful plantation, watering, pre and post planting management of planted tree seedlings and permanent employment of guards are important.

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