Floristic Composition, Vegetation Structure and Regeneration Statues of Woody Plant Species of Sheleko Medihanialem State Forest in Fogera District, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted in Shelekomedihanialem state forest in Fogera district, South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia, to identify the floristic composition, vegetation structure,diversity and regeneration status of the woody plant species. Systematic sampling method was used to collect vegetation data from 5 transect lines 200m far apart and 50(20m x20m) quadrates at distance of 100m. To collect data for seedling and sapling, five 1m x 1m sub-plots were laid in each of the main plot, where four were at the corners and one at the center. Diameter at breast height was measured DBH ≥2.5cm while height was≥2m.Shannon-WiennerDiversity Index was used to calculate species diversity, richness and evenness. The densities of mature, sapling and seedling of woody plant species were 2055.5,2240 and 2400.5 individuals/ha respectively and the basal area of the forest was 2.246 m 2 /ha.The result of vegetation structure of woody plant species and regeneration status analysis in the forest revealed that the forest was dominated by small-sized trees and shrubs indicating that it is in the stage of secondary development. Finally, this study indicated that the population structure of the most woody plant species in Shelekomedihanialem state forest is in a good status of regeneration recruitment level. From the point of view of managing forests for the sake of biodiversity conservation, if appropriate management measures are taken, the nature of the population structure of most of tree species could be improved. K e ywords : Ethiopia, Floristic composition, regeneration, Forest, vegetation structure DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-5-02 Publication date: March 31 st 2022