Abstract
This study was aimed to determine woody species composition, diversity, and vegetation structure and to investigate major threats to Wurg forest, southwest Ethiopia. In order to collect vegetation data, 64 (400 m2) sample plots from eight transect lines were employed. The distances between transect lines and plots were 400 m and 200 m, respectively. DBH of woody species >2.5 cm and the height >2 m were measured and recorded. Voucher specimens were brought to the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute for identification and deposited there. R program version 12.5.2 software and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet were used to analyze plant community classification and structural analysis, respectively. A total of 76 woody species representing 40 families were recorded. Rubiaceae was the dominant family followed by Asteraceae. The average Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) and the average evenness values of Wurg forest were 3.38 and 0.90, respectively. Four plant community types were identified by using the presence/absence values of each species. The total density of woody species with DBH > 2.5 cm was 1745.3 ha−1. The DBH and height class distributions showed an inverted J-shaped pattern, which indicates a good regeneration potential of the forest. The most frequently observed species (92%) was Syzygium guineense, which contributed 46% of the total basal area. The composition of seedling, sapling, and adult trees/shrubs species was 4966.07 ha−1, 3125.78 ha−1, and 1745.27 ha−1, respectively. However, the major threat to the forest was selective cutting of some woody species for various purposes. Therefore, raising local community awareness on conservation and sustainable use of the forest and exploring various alternatives for local communities’ livelihood and promoting private and community plantations are recommendable.
Highlights
IntroductionEse made Ethiopia one of biodiversity rich countries in the world hosting the eastern Afromontane and the horn of Africa hotspots [1]
Description of the Study Area. e study area, Wurg forest of Maji Woreda, southwest Ethiopia (Figure 1), extends from 5°12′0′′ to 6°25′30′′°N latitude and 35°15′0′′ to 36°18′0′′°E longitude. e capital city of the Woreda, Tum, is located 737 km southwest of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. e study area is characterized by varied land features, including mountains, flatland, and agricultural fields. e altitude varies from 900 m to 2500 masl [35]. e study site, Wurg natural forest, belongs to Afromontane forest located about 34 km away from Tum with an altitude ranging from 1929 to 2500 masl
The number of woody species composition of Wurg forest is higher than woody species composition of other forests in Ethiopia including Wotagisho forest (51 species) [25], Lammo natural forest (54 species) [32], Guraferda forest (66 species) [49], and Tara Gedam forest (41 species) [50] showing that Wurg forest has relatively large number of forest plant species, which signals the significance of enhancing various forest conservation efforts
Summary
Ese made Ethiopia one of biodiversity rich countries in the world hosting the eastern Afromontane and the horn of Africa hotspots [1]. Its vegetation diversity ranges from high altitude Afroalpine in the central highlands to arid lowlands in the east and the rain forests in the west [2], which harbor rare and endangered species and high amounts of endemism in floral diversities. Historical sources indicate that on the basis of potential climatic climax, high forests have once covered about 35–40% of the total land area of the country [5]. The forest cover has showed a leap jump to 11% following new definition of forest that includes woodland forests besides natural forests.
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