An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Sof Umer area of Bale in September and Novemberrn2005 and April, 2006 on ecology and plant use diversity. Data were collected by usingrnethnobotanical methods that include guided field walk, semi-structured interview and focusrngroup discussion. Two hundred thirteen plant species that belong to 148 genera and 68 familiesrnwere documented. The highest species number is in family Fabaceae which is represented by 25rnspecies (11.7 %), while Acanthaceae 18 species (8.5 %), Asteraceae 10 species (4.6%),rnBurseraceae 10 species (4.6) and Poaceae 10 species (4.6%). Considering growth form herbs arernrepresented by 79 species (37.1%), shrubs 62 species (29.1%), trees 58 Species (27%), climbersrn12 species (5.6%) and 2 parasitic species (0.94%). Nine major plant use diversity wererndocumented. Those are: medicinal (46 species used for treatment of human diseases & 21 speciesrnthose used in ethnoveterinary), wild edible (23 species), fire (36 species) & charcoal productionrn(17 species), in beekeeping (27 species), forage (53 species), material culture (33 species),rnperfuming and cleansing (13 species), religious and cultural (8 species) and shade (13) species.rnFrom preference ranking activities, charcoal production and cutting trees for forage were majorrncause of species threat on the vegetation. Tradtional beliefs and taboos have seen very importantrnfor resource conservation. Vegetation data were collected from 52 releves that were distributed inrnaltitudinal range between 1181-1317 m. Percentage cover/abundance of 118 plant species wasrnanalyzed using TWINSPAN program that resulted in 6 community types. These are: Ruspoliarnhypocrateriforms-Commiphora erythreae, Acacia mellifera-Euclea divinorum, Barleriarnquadrispina-Ruellia discifolia, Lannea triphylla- Carphalea glaucescens, Baphia sp.-rnCombretum molle and Acacia tortilis community types. The communityâ€™s Shannon diversity (H`)rnindex ranges between 1.14 to 1.42 and evenness J between 0.74 to 0.83. Phytogeographicalrnanalysis indicated that Sof Umer has shown floristic similarity with Borana vegetation. Therndensity of woody species having DBH >2 cm was found to be 619.2 individuals/ hectare. Threernvertical stories were identified where 80 % of woody individuals of species were confined to thernlower story. A total of 7 species are identified to be endemic to Ethiopia. Five of them arernincluded in Red Data list of threatened species of IUCN, 2004. Three endemic species arernidentified to be new record for Bale floristic region. In situ conservation and communityrnparticipatory approach for natural resources conservation are recommended.