Floristic Composition and Structural Analysis of Wooddland Vegetation in Ilu Gelan District, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, Central Ethiopia
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
This study was conducted on Dirki and Jato woodland in Ilu Gelan District, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, 195 km west of Addis Ababa, to identify floristic composition, structure and community types of the vegetation. Systematic sampling method was used to collect vegetation data from 54 (20 m x 20 m). To collect data for herbaceous plants, five 1 m x 1 m subplots 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 for woody species taller than 2 m while height and cover/abundance values were visually estimated. Shannon - Wiener Diversity Index was used to calculate species diversity, richness and evenness whereas Soresen’s Similarity ratio was used to measure similarity between the vegetation and four other related woodlands. Two hundred and thirteen species were recorded from the sample plots, where Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Poaceae were the most dominant families with 23, 22 and 12 species respectively. Eleven endemic and two near endemic species were recorded from the study area. Based on IUCN Red Data List, nine species were least concern, three were near threatened while one was vulnerable. Three plant community types were recognized from the study area. Total density and basal area calculated for woody species were 5,145.83 individuals ha-1 and 18.96 m2 ha-1 respectively. Population structure and regeneration status of selected woody species were assessed and results revealed that some species had regeneration problems and need management measures. Key words/phrases: Endemic, floristic composition, plant community type, structural analysis, Woodland Vegetation.
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Endemic, Floristic composition, Plant community type, structural analysis, Woodland Vegetation