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<p>Livestock production in southern Ethiopia is constrained by seasonal feed scarcity and variable forage quality across agro-ecological zones. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal dynamics, botanical composition, biomass production, and nutritional quality of herbaceous forage resources along an altitudinal gradient in the Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia. An integrated cross-sectional approach was employed, combining a household survey of 171 livestock-owning households, ecological vegetation sampling using 432 quadrats, and laboratory-based nutritional analyses across lowland, midland, and highland agro-ecologies. Livestock holdings differed significantly among zones (<i>P</i> = 0.009), with the highest mean Tropical Livestock Units recorded in the lowlands (3.46 TLU). Natural pasture was the dominant feed resource, and wetlands were used by more than 97% of households as a critical dry-season grazing reserve. Seasonal feed shortages were widespread (73.7% of households) and varied significantly across agro-ecologies (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). A total of 36 herbaceous species were identified with species diversity (Shannon index: 2.25–2.55) and evenness (0.94–0.99) increasing significantly with altitude (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). Biomass yield was highest in the midland zone (894&#xa0;kg DM ha⁻¹; <i>P</i> ≤ 0.05). Forage nutritional quality improved with altitude, as highland forages exhibited higher crude protein content (11.38%; <i>P</i> = 0.046) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (53.60%; <i>P</i> = 0.012), alongside lower fiber fractions, compared with lowland forages (crude protein: 8.08%; digestibility: 37.60%). Overall, livestock feed resources in the study area were spatially heterogeneous and nutritionally insufficient, particularly during the dry season. These findings highlight the need for agro-ecology-specific feed management strategies, including forage conservation, nutritional supplementation, and sustainable wetland management, to enhance livestock productivity and resilience.</p>

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Spatial variation in biomass production and nutritional quality of livestock feed resources along altitudinal gradient in Southern Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月16日

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  • Yisehak Kechero,
  • Misganu Milkiyas,
  • Tamirat Kaba,
  • Ephrem Tora

摘要

Livestock production in southern Ethiopia is constrained by seasonal feed scarcity and variable forage quality across agro-ecological zones. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal dynamics, botanical composition, biomass production, and nutritional quality of herbaceous forage resources along an altitudinal gradient in the Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia. An integrated cross-sectional approach was employed, combining a household survey of 171 livestock-owning households, ecological vegetation sampling using 432 quadrats, and laboratory-based nutritional analyses across lowland, midland, and highland agro-ecologies. Livestock holdings differed significantly among zones (P = 0.009), with the highest mean Tropical Livestock Units recorded in the lowlands (3.46 TLU). Natural pasture was the dominant feed resource, and wetlands were used by more than 97% of households as a critical dry-season grazing reserve. Seasonal feed shortages were widespread (73.7% of households) and varied significantly across agro-ecologies (P < 0.001). A total of 36 herbaceous species were identified with species diversity (Shannon index: 2.25–2.55) and evenness (0.94–0.99) increasing significantly with altitude (P < 0.001). Biomass yield was highest in the midland zone (894 kg DM ha⁻¹; P ≤ 0.05). Forage nutritional quality improved with altitude, as highland forages exhibited higher crude protein content (11.38%; P = 0.046) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (53.60%; P = 0.012), alongside lower fiber fractions, compared with lowland forages (crude protein: 8.08%; digestibility: 37.60%). Overall, livestock feed resources in the study area were spatially heterogeneous and nutritionally insufficient, particularly during the dry season. These findings highlight the need for agro-ecology-specific feed management strategies, including forage conservation, nutritional supplementation, and sustainable wetland management, to enhance livestock productivity and resilience.