Community perception on rangeland degradation and vegetation changes

The study was conducted in western zone of Tigray regional state in northern Ethiopia in two settlement areas that differed in terms of duration of settlement from 8 years (hereinafter referred to as 'New') to 18 years (hereinafter referred to as 'Old'). The objectives of the study were to assess farmers' perceptions about rangeland degradation, and compare herbaceous and woody vegetation parameters in relation to distance from the periphery of settlement and duration of settlement. The farmers' perception was studied through semi-structured questionnaire (a total of 90 households for both settlements) and group discussions (containing seven to twelve members) in six peasant associations (three from each old and new settlement). Vegetation parameters were measured along three distance categories: 3 km from the periphery of the settlement (nearby), 6 km from the periphery of the settlement (middle distance) and 9 km from periphery of the settlement (far). Data on grass species composition, basal cover, above ground biomass, species diversity, richness, evenness and woody parameters such as density, plant height, canopy height, canopy cover, species diversity.