Floristic Composition And Diversity Analysis Of Vegetation Of Awash Melka Kunture Prehistoric Archaeological Site Ethiopia

The study was conducted at Awash Melka Kunture Prehistoric Archaeological Sitern(AMKPAS), in Awash Melka District, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. This studyrnpresents the floristic composition, plant community, regeneration status of the area, andrnrecommends further conservation methods. Sixty quadrats of 10 m x 10 m (100 m2) were laidrnalong ten line transects for vegetation data collection. In addition, 1 m x 1 m subplots werernlaid within the main plot to sample herbaceous plants. A total of 139 plant species in 114rngenera and 45 families were identified. Family Poaceae had 24 (14.27%) species followed byrnFabaceae 23 (16.55%) species, Asteraceae 16 (11.51) species and Lamiaceae nine (6.47%)rnspecies. Out of the 139 plant species collected from the area six species and one subspeciesrnare endemic to Ethiopia. Vegetation classification following R-2.11.1 software packagernresulted in five communities, namely, Ocimum lamiifolium - Rhus natalensis, Grewiarnferruginea – Acacia abyssinica, Acacia seyal - Jasminum grandiflorum, Carissa spinarum -rnAcacia persiciflora and Acacia lahai - Euclea racemosa. Sorensen’s similarity among therncommunities revealed that communities 1 and 5 have the highest similarity (71%) followed byrncommunities 1 and 4, and 4 and 5, both exhibited 69% similarity. From nine selected woodyrnspecies, a total of 183.9 seedlings/ha, 154.79 saplings/ha and 54.38 mature individuals/harnwere counted in the sample plots. The study revealed the occurrence of small sizedrnindividuals in the study site. Two population distribution patterns were revealed i.e. invertedrnJ and bell -shaped. Moreover, there were more seedlings than saplings which could bernattributed to factors that prevent the seedlings from reaching sapling stage. These factorsrnmay include expansion of farmlands, browsing by animals and prolonged dry period. On thernother hand, some woody species lacked seedlings and saplings in the AMKPAS. Based on therncurrent study clear demarcation and raising awareness among thernsurrounding community is deemed necessary.rnKey words/Phrases: Awash Melka Kunture, Community similarity, Floristic composition,rnPlant community, and Regeneration

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