Site Suitability, Early Survival, and Growth Performance of Five Indigenous Tree Species to Integrate in Urban Green Space of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background We evaluated site suitability, early survival, and growth performance for Juniperus procera , Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata , Vachellia abyssinica , Hagenia abyssinica , and Afrocarpus falcatus in the urban landscape of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods The MaxEnt model was used to evaluate site suitability for the 5 indigenous species. For the early survival study, experimental plots were established and 500 seedlings, 100 seedlings for each species, were planted on 2021 July 15 and monitored until 2022 February 30 for a total of 225 days. Silvicultural activities such as mulching, weeding, and watering were conducted. Every 45 days, measurements of height, root collar diameter (RCD), death, damage, wilting, and defoliation were recorded. Results The result of the study indicated that the Addis Ababa area is well to moderately suitable to grow the 5 species. Mean survival rates marginally declined over the course of 225 days, from 99.6% at 45 days after planting to 90.4% at 225 days after planting. Eighteen V. abyssinica seedlings were found to be dead. Wild animals browsed and damaged 45% of O. europaea seedlings. H. abyssinica had the highest growth performance. The study shows that, relative to the other 4 species, V abyssinica had a greater number of wilted, defoliated, and dead seedlings. Conclusion Each of the 5 species had a high rate of early survival and found the urban environment to be suitable. This result will assist in the shift away from planting only exotic tree species in green spaces and encourage the presence of indigenous tree species.