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This study was conducted on Angada Forest in Merti Wereda, which is a dry evergreen
afromontane type of forest. The objective of the study was to assess woody species
composition, vegetation structure, diversity and to make a phytogeographical
comparison of the forest under study with some similar forests in Ethiopia. Systematic
sampling method was used to collect vegetation data from eighty 20 m x 20 m sample
plots for woody species and five 2 m x 2 m subplots within each main plot for
regeneration of woody plants. The sample plots were laid at every 200 m interval along
transects at 400 m apart. The composition and population structure data for woody
species (DBH > 2.5 cm and height > 2 m), saplings (DBH < 2.5 cm and 1 – 2 m height)
and all seedlings (height < 1 m) and their regeneration count were recorded in each plot.
The vegetation classification was performed using PC – ORD software package. The
quantitative species diversity, richness and evenness were computed to describe plant
diversity in each community type. Species abundance, cover, and environmental
variables (altitude, aspect, UTM) were recorded in each sample plot. A total of 87 woody
vascular plants belonging to 82 genera and 50 families were identified. Fabaceae family
had the highest number of taxa followed by Asteraceae. Five plant community types were
recognized. Jaccard’s similarity coefficients were below 0.5 for all communities,
indicating low similarities among the communities. Thus, all the communities identified
are important in terms of woody species diversity and sensitivity from conservation point
of view. Woody species densities for mature individuals were 4,964 stem ha-1, 1,199
stems ha-1 for saplings and 3,929 stems ha-1 for seedlings. The total basal area of the
forest was 79.8 m2ha-1. The population structure of woody plants and the regeneration
status in the forest revealed that there is a need for conservation priority for those
species with poor regeneration status. The presence of strong anthropogenic disturbance
in the area necessitates the need for an immediate conservation action in order to ensure
sustainable utilization and management of the Forest.
Keywords: afromontane forest, conservation, diversity, plant community, population
structure, regeneration, species composition |
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