Floristic Composition Species Diversity And Vegetationstructure Of Gera Moist Montane Forest Jimma Zone Of Oromia National Regional State Southwest Ethiopia
Plant Biology And Biodiversity Management Project Topics
Floristic composition, Species diversity and Vegetation structure of Gera Moist Montane Forest wasrnconducted in Jimma Zone of Oromia National Regional State, South west Ethiopia, with the objective tornstudy the floristic composition and structure of the Forest. A total of 132 plant species in 112 genera andrn59 families were identified from this Forest. Fabaceae was the most dominant family with ten speciesrn(7.57%) and nine genera. Seven endemic species were recorded from the study area. Systematic samplingrnmethod was used to collect vegetation data. Accordingly, 50 quadrats each with 900 m2 (30 m X 30 m)rnfor woody species and subplots of 1 m X 1 m within the main plots for herbaceous plants were laid alongrnthree line transects. All plots were laid at a distance of 200 m along transect lines. Shannon-Wienerrndiversity index were used to compute species richness and evenness between the plant communities. DBH,rnbasal area, height and frequency were computed and compared to describe the structure of the Forest.rnThe regeneration status of some woody species of the Forest was evaluated based on the number ofrnseedlings and saplings per hectare. For seedlings, the main quadrats were divided into subplots of 5 m Xrn5 m (25 m2). Vegetation classification was performed using R-2.11.1 software packages. Five clustersrnwere recognized and designated as local plant community types. Plant communities were named after twornof the dominant woody species occurring in each group using the relative magnitude of the highest meanrncover abundance within the cluster. The total seedlings and saplings of 20 selected woody species of GerarnForest were about 4,838 and 1,331 individuals per hectare respectively. Future research directions andrnrecommendations are suggested for the sustainable utilization of the vegetation.rnKey words/Phrases: Gera Forest, Floristic composition, plant community, species diversity,rnvegetation structure.