Floristic Composition and Diversity Analysis of Vegetation of Awash Melka Kunture Prehistoric Archaeological Site, Ethiopia
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Date
2012
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study was conducted at Awash Melka Kunture Prehistoric Archaeological Site
(AMKPAS), in Awash Melka District, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. This study
presents the floristic composition, plant community, regeneration status of the area, and
recommends further conservation methods. Sixty quadrats of 10 m x 10 m (100 m2) were laid
along ten line transects for vegetation data collection. In addition, 1 m x 1 m subplots were
laid within the main plot to sample herbaceous plants. A total of 139 plant species in 114
genera and 45 families were identified. Family Poaceae had 24 (14.27%) species followed by
Fabaceae 23 (16.55%) species, Asteraceae 16 (11.51) species and Lamiaceae nine (6.47%)
species. Out of the 139 plant species collected from the area six species and one subspecies
are endemic to Ethiopia. Vegetation classification following R-2.11.1 software package
resulted in five communities, namely, Ocimum lamiifolium - Rhus natalensis, Grewia
ferruginea – Acacia abyssinica, Acacia seyal - Jasminum grandiflorum, Carissa spinarum -
Acacia persiciflora and Acacia lahai - Euclea racemosa. Sorensen’s similarity among the
communities revealed that communities 1 and 5 have the highest similarity (71%) followed by
communities 1 and 4, and 4 and 5, both exhibited 69% similarity. From nine selected woody
species, a total of 183.9 seedlings/ha, 154.79 saplings/ha and 54.38 mature individuals/ha
were counted in the sample plots. The study revealed the occurrence of small sized
individuals in the study site. Two population distribution patterns were revealed i.e. inverted
J and bell -shaped. Moreover, there were more seedlings than saplings which could be
attributed to factors that prevent the seedlings from reaching sapling stage. These factors
may include expansion of farmlands, browsing by animals and prolonged dry period. On the
other hand, some woody species lacked seedlings and saplings in the AMKPAS. Based on the
current study clear demarcation and raising awareness among the
surrounding community is deemed necessary.
Key words/Phrases: Awash Melka Kunture, Community similarity, Floristic composition,
Plant community, and Regeneration
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Keywords
Awash Melka Kunture, Community similarity, Floristic composition, Plant community, Regeneration