The undifferentiated afromontane forest of Denkoro in the central highland of Ethiopia: a floristic and structural analysis

Abstract

The floristic composition and vegetation structure of Denkoro forest, South Wello Zone of Amhara Region, N. Ethiopia, were described during November–December, 2002. A total of 95 sample plots were analysed, and 174 species of vascular plants representing 66 families were recorded. Out of these, 41 species were new records reported for the first time from Wello. Eleven endemic species, which are included in the IUCN Red List categories, have been recorded. Based on the results of vegetation classification, six clusters were recognized and designated as local plant community types: 1) Erica arborea - Hypericum revolutum, 2) Myrsine melanophloeos - Dombeya torrida, 3) Myrsine africana – Maesa lanceolata – Prunus africana, 4) Olinia rochetiana – Olea europaea, 5) Olinia rochetiana – Allophylus abyssinicus – Apodytes dimidiata , and 6) Maytenus gracilipes – Teclea nobilis. Structural analysis of the forest showed the density of individuals > 10 cm DBH to be almost twice as that of individuals with DBH >20 cm. A higher proportion of woody individuals (ca. 65%) fell in the low height classes (i.e., SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol. 29(1) 2006: 45–56