The vegetation of the eastern parts of South Welo was studied in three sites at altitudes ofrn1,200m-1,500m , 1,700111-2,200111 and 2,400111-2,800111 using stratified random sal1lpling.rnFrom each zone, 18 stands (quadrats) with 20 m x 20 m were selected randomly and totallyrn54 sample stands were analyzed in which 144 species of plants were recorded and lalerrnidentified in the National Herbarium (Science Faculty). For each stand, composite soilrnsamples were taken from depths of 0-25cm and analyzed for pH. conductivity, texture,rnorganic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphonls. Exchangeable cations (Ca, lvlg,rnK, Na) were analyzed for 5 samples from each zone. Measurement of altitude, slope and soilrncolour were taken in the field fi'om eadi stanarnThe classificatioll of the 54 stands was conducted by cluster analysis using the computerrnpackage SYNTAX. The resemblance index employed was similarity ratio. To analyze speciesrndiversity, ShamlOn-Wiever diversity index was employed Using this technique, three majorrnclusters (plant communities): Juniperus-Erica type (cluster A), Euclea schimperi typern(cluster B), Acacia asak type (cluster C) in descending altitudinal order and nine subclustersrndesignnted as a, b, c, d, e, j g, hand i were identified (where a and b are in cluster A; c, drnand e in eluster B andjg,h and i in cluster C). To compare different clusters and subclustersrnmean values and one-way ANOVA, followed by Duncan'sINeuman-Keuls mUltiplerncomparisons were computedrnThe results of the multiple comparison show that the highest number of significant contrastsrnamong the three major clusters were observed fi'om variations in altitudes and relatedrnmoisture change. Moreover, the three major clusters Significantly vOlY in their texture,rnorganiC carbon, and organiC matter. There is no significant variation in environmentalrnfactors between pair of the subclusters within each zone. The analysis of species diversityrnshow that with decreasing altin/de, the richness of vegetatioll in species composition alsorndecrease.