Fostering Green Legacy Initiative: Sustaining Seed Production for Scarce Indigenous Tree Species by Identifying, Characterizing, and Mapping of Mother Trees in Awi Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia

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Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify, characterize, and map mother trees of selected indigenous tree species to tackle shortage of high quality and quantity tree seed provision for massive plantation program by providing both temporal and spatial distribution of mother trees in the study area. This study identified 90 mother trees across seven indigenous tree species through stratified purposive sampling, treating each tree as an individual sampling plot to ensure localized data precision. Data on height, girth, and X ‐ Y coordinates of each mother tree, as well as nearby trees within 10 m. Radius from selected mother trees were recorded. Descriptive statistics and coefficient of variance were calculated for the collected data. Following the statistical analysis, the spatial distribution of the mother tree was mapped using ArcGIS software. Juniperus procera in Banja District shows the largest mean both in terms of DBH (116.21 ± 37.3 cm) and height (33.82 ± 4.07 m) while Podocarpus falcatus in Guangua District score the second largest mean for DBH (94.83 ± 15.1 cm) and height (32.28 ± 14.3 m). Prunus africana in Banja District 2 were the third largest from the characterized seed sources by scoring average DBH (91.98 ± 19.71 cm) and height (29.16 ± 6.27 m). The coefficient of variance of selected mother trees both by species and by forest name also indicate the suitability of selected forest for the production of high quality and quantity of tree seed. Spatial mapping and local knowledge were combined to point out specific seed collection sites, such as Ziqe Forest, and to determine optimal collection times. This research provides a data‐driven framework for developing targeted seed sourcing strategies that enhance the genetic resilience of restoration efforts, directly supporting Ethiopia’s national and international reforestation and afforestation commitments.

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