Traditional uses and local management practices of Adansonia digitata L. in different ethnic groups of Quara wereda, North West low land of Ethiopia

•Adansonia digitata is a dry land multipurpose fruit-bearing tree used for subsistence purpose and for sale.•Harvesting and use of A. digitata parts is playing a crucial role in contributing to the livelihoods of rural households.•The traditional uses and management of A. digitata differ between ethnic groups of Ethiopia.•Various anthropogenic factors are threatening A. digitata populations Adansonia digitata (African baobab) is one of the most important wild edible plant and a key species with high ecological and socioeconomic significance in most of tropical Africa. It is a multipurpose fruit-bearing and physically huge tree with more than 300 traditional uses and commercial values. The lack of literature on traditional uses and management practices for A. digitata by various ethnic groups hinder the promotion of sustainable management of the tree species in Ethiopia. The aims of this study were to: (i) document traditional uses and local management practices of A. digitata among three ethnic groups; and (ii) identify major threat factors that affect A. digitata population. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 101 households, using multi-stage sampling techniques, selected from three representative kebeles, the lowest administrative unit, (Gelegu, Banbaho and Dubaba) in Quara wereda. Group discussions and key informant interviews were also held with 15 and 3 informants, respectively. Socioeconomic data were analyzed using inferential statistics like chi-square tests and narrative analysis. Overall seven main traditional uses of A. digitata products (food, fodder, medicine, fiber, hanging beehive, commercial and soil improvement) were documented among three ethnic groups, with a greater number of uses mentioned within Gumuz ethnic group. The uses of A. digitata products are found to be lower in the Quara wereda than in other African countries. The traditional knowledge on commercial, fiber and food uses of A. digitata didn't vary among ethnic groups. The fruit (pulp) was commonly used as supplementary food, to make beverages, for medicine and it seems to be the only plant part sold commercially by all ethnic groups. Traditional knowledge on medicinal uses of A. digitata tree products have significantly varied among ethnic groups (P