Wild Edible Fruit Diversity and their Traditional Use for Local Livelihood in Dollo, Korahay and Nogob Zones, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study on the diversity of wild edible fruits and their traditional uses for local livelihood was conducted in the Dollo, Korahay, and Nogob zones of the Somali region, Ethiopia. The main objectives were to assess the abundance, dominance, and diversity of wild edible fruit species, as well as to analyze the factors affecting their availability and use. Data collection involved extensive discussions with local communities, district agricultural experts, and locals. A survey was conducted using transect to identify representative areas for assessing species abundance. Twenty wild edible herbs, lianas, shrubs, and trees were identified across Warder and Korahay districts, belonging to 8 families, with the most dominant being Apocynaceae, which comprised 6 species, followed by Malvaceae with 5 species. Together, the top three plant families accounted for approximately 30% of the total species recorded in the study area. Despite their ecological and nutritional importance, these wild edible plant species are underutilized informal food systems, while simultaneously facing increasing threats from overharvesting, habitat loss, and luck of sustainable management practice and environmental degradation. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness among rural households regarding the sustainable management, marketing, and domestic utilization of wild edible fruits.