Woody Species Diversity, Structure and Regeneration Status of Gara Duro Natural Forest Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted at Gara Duro Natural Forest Oromia Region, Ethiopia to determine Woody Species Diversity, Structure, and Regeneration Status. The data was collected form a total of 47 plots having 20x20m dimension systematically at every 100m interval along five transect lines. All woody species in these plots were recorded and their Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) was measured with tree caliper at 1.3 m above ground. Data on seedlings and samplings were collected from five subplots of 1m × 1m (1m2) located at the four corners and center of the main plot. All the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Forty (40) of the woody were characterized to thirty-eight (38) genera and thirty-one (31) families. The most frequent species were Maesa lanceolata, Rubus apetalus, Croton macrostachyus, and Podocarpus falcatus. The highest importance value index (IVI) were found in Maytenus addat, Maesa. lanceolata, Podocarphus falcatus, Croton. macrostachyus and Pittosporum viridiflorum while Ficus vasta, Brucea antidysenterica, Schefflera abyssinica, Hypericum revolutum and Erica arborea were species with lowest IVI. Based on the evaluation of the diameter class, overall structure of woody species structure showed an inverted J-shaped curve. The population structure and regeneration status of the forest indicated that there have been high forest degradation and severe anthropogenic disturbances in the area and, therefore, conservation of species, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable use of the forest genetic resources are highly recommended. Therefore the forest lands should be reversed and local authorities and all concerned institutions should work together for designing and implementing in-situ conservation of the forest giving priority to identified plant species and promoting ecosystem services through forest sustainable management system.