Floristic Composition and Vegetation Structure of Gera Moist Afromontane Forest, Jimma Zone Zoneof Oromia Regional State,Southwest Ethiopia

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Date

2015-06

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Addis Ababa Universty

Abstract

A study was conducted in Gera Moist Afromontane Forest in Jimma Zone of Oromia Regional State, Southwest Ethiopia, with the objective to study the floristic composition and structure of Gera Moist Afromontane Montane Forest. A total of 150 plant species in 112 genera and 60 families were identified and recorded from this Forest, of the total species, 101were collected from sample plots and used for floristic and structural analysis. Therest 49 were collected out side of sample plots but from the forest and used to describe the complete floristiclist. Asteraceae was the most dominant family with thirteen species (8.67%) and seven genera and Fabaceae was the second dominant family with twelve species (8%) and five genera. Nine endemic taxa (6.00%) were recorded from the study area. Systematic sampling method was used to collect vegetation data. Accordingly, 40 quadrats each with 400 m2 (20 m x20 m) for woody species and subplots of 1 m x1 m within the main plots to sample herbaceous plants were laid along thirteenline transect. All plots were laid at a distance of 200 m along transect lines and transect lines were laid following an interval of 100 m elevation gradient. DBH, basal area, height and frequency were computed and compared to describe the structure of the Forest. The regeneration status of some woody species of the Forest was evaluated based on the number of seedlings and saplings per hactre. For seedlings and saplings, the main quadrats were divided into subplots of 5 m x 5 m (25 m2). Vegetation classification was performed using R-3.0.2 software packages. Three plant community types were identified and named by after two dominating and/or characteristic species; usually a tree and a shrub.Shannon-Wiener diversity index were used to compute species richness and evenness between the plant communities. The total seedlings and saplings of 20 selected woody species of Gera Forest were about 2,839 and 1,553individuals per hectare respectively. Future research directions and recommendations are suggested for the sustainable utilization of the vegetation. Keywords/Phrases: Gera Forest, Floristic composition, plant community, species diversity, vegetation structure.

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Keywords

Gera Forest, Floristic composition, plant community, Species diversity, Vegetation structure

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