In order to have a better management for existingrnforests, and to reafforest devegetated areas an ecologicalrnstudy of forests is indispensable. Menagesha State Forestrnwhich is one of the few remaining forests in Central ~thiopiarnwas chosen for such a study.rnIn the Nenagesha State E'orest, 50 stands were chosenrnby systematic sampling. All the plants found in each standrnwere recorded and in all 60 species of plants were identified.rnSoil samples from the surface, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 cm.rndepths were taken and analysed in the laboratory forrnconductivity, pH, cations (calcium, magnesium, potassiumrnand sodium). Heasurements of slope, aspect and altitudernwere taken in the field. The 50 stands were classified usingrnthe Association Analysis technique in the University ofrnNanchester Hegional Computer Centre, resulting in 16 groupsrnof stands (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, 0 and P).rnI!:ach group of stands was compared with all other groups ofrnstands to see whether there are statistically significantrnvariations in their environmental factors (conductivity, pH,rncations, slope and altitude) between them using the t-test.rnThe results of the t-test showed that there are two more orrnless distinct categories of vegetation. The first categoryrnidentified by + Erica arbore~ include group of stands thatrnhave a poor nutrient status, a deeper soil, and a flatterrnhabitat than the group of stands in the - Eri.Â£!', category.rnThe - ].;rica group of stands have soils that are relativelyrnnutrient rich and have shallower depths. This group of stands also occupy steeper slopes than + t:ric,! category.rnBased on the findings of the study it is suggested thatrnthe conservation of tho forest has to continue; thernnutrient poor + Erica areas could have improved nutrientrnstands if shrubs including Kolfa (Hukeguracha) followedrnby Hae~ lanceolata and/or Carissa edulis that tend tornincrease soil nutrients are planted, and planting conifersrnwhicll increase rates of nutrient loss is avoided.