Abstract
Ethiopia is one of the biodiversity reach areas in the world. A study was conducted at Amoro Forest to determine the woody species composition, vegetation and population structure. Vegetation data were collected from 36 plots (900 m2) systematically laid along transects. A hierarchical cluster analysis with R software was used to identify plant communities. Structural analysis of the forest was performed based on frequency, density, DBH, basal area and importance value indices (IVI) of woody species. A total of 57 woody species belonging to 38 families were encountered, consisting of 19 tree (33.33%), 31 (54.38%) shrubs, and 7(4.37%) liana species. The vegetation of the forest was classified into four plant communities namely, Calpurnia aurea-Vernonia myriantha, Vernonia myriantha-Euphorbia abyssinica, Laggera tomentosa-Solanecio gigas, Allophyllus abyssinicus-Bersama abyssinica based on cluster analysis. The total basal area and density of woody plants were 18.5 m2/h and 2860.49 stems/h respectively. The DBH distribution showed a reverse “J” shaped curve, meaning that there is active regeneration and recruitment in the forest. Four representative woody plant population structures were identified, that is, inverted J, Gauss I, Gauss II and J- shaped patterns. There is high anthropogenic effect and high dependence of the local community in Amoro Forest so that forest conservation and restoration measures should be required. Key words: Ethiopia, Amoro Forest, vegetation communities, anthropogenic activities and population structure.
Highlights
Ethiopia is an important regional biological diversity hotspot due to wide ranges of altitude, and geographical features, such as high and rugged mountains, flat-topped plateaus, deep gorges, river valleys and rolling plains (Kelbessa et al, 1992; Woldu, 1999)
The results of this study show that the woody species composition of Amoro Forest (57 species) were higher than many Afromontane forests in Ethiopia and other tropical forest
Amoro Forest is mainly a dry evergreen Afromontane Forest which is dominated by small sized tree and shrub species
Summary
Ethiopia is an important regional biological diversity hotspot due to wide ranges of altitude, and geographical features, such as high and rugged mountains, flat-topped plateaus, deep gorges, river valleys and rolling plains (Kelbessa et al, 1992; Woldu, 1999). These contributed to emergence of a variety of habitats suitable for the evolution and survival of various plant and animal species. The rich biodiversity resources, including forests, are being destroyed at an alarming rate largely due to human.
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