Composition and Structure of Woody Species of Legay Forest in Seden Sodo Woreda, South West Shoa, Ethiopia

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Date

2024-07

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This study was conducted in Legay forest to determine the woody composition, structure and regeneration status of the Legay forest. Systematic sampling method was used to collect vegeta-tion data from fifty-two plots of 20 m x 20 m for woody plant species, and 5 m × 5 m was used for sampling of seedlings and saplings plants. The sampling plots were placed at every 200 m intervals on flat and 50 m altitudinal difference on sloppy areas and the parallel transect lines laid at 500 m apart. Diameter at breast height (DBH) of all woody species was measured by us-ing a mater tape. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and R software. A total of 57 woody species belonging to 54 genera and 46 families were identified. Fabaceae was the most dominant family represented by four species followed by Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, and Rosaceae, which shared three species each. The main five plant communities identified from the study sites were Olea europaea-Rytigynia neglecta, Rhus glutinosa - Rosa abyssinica, Dodonaea angustifolia -Quercus sp., Maytenus undata- Carissa edulis and Pol-yscias fulva- Euclea divinorum. The density for mature woody species, seedlings and saplings were 157, 475.8 and 310 individuals ha-1, respectively. The basal area of the forest was 69.22 m2 ha-1. Plant species with greater IVI in Legay forest were Carissa edulis, Rytigynia neglecta and Euclea divinorum. The plant species that had lowest IVI and calling for conservation priority were, Cupressus lusitanica, Dovyalis abyssinica, Solanum incanum, Asparagus acutifolias and Salvia officinalis.The population structure of the forest indicated that the lower storey (57.25%) dominant than the middle (27.72%) and upper storey (15.02%). Regeneration status of the forest indicated that the total density of seedlings and saplings of woody plants species of the forest were 570.29 and 407.77 ha-1, respectively and that of mature individuals was 261.81 ha-1, indi-cating that mature plant species were selectively cut. To minimize negative effects on the forest and make sustainable use of it, this study suggests implementing community-based participatory forest management in the area.

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Keywords

Dry Evergreen Montane Forest, Floristic Composition, Legay Forest, Plant Community, Regeneration, Vegetation Structure

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