http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/1832 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:49:27 GMT 2026-07-13T14:49:27Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16870 Species Composition, Vegetation Structure and Regeneration Status of Woody Plants in Gonje Thewodros Monastery Forest in Gonje Kolela District, North Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Wondim, Megbaru The Churches and Monasteries are the main sites for biodiversity and forests conservation in Ethiopia. However, the loss of biodiversity and forest degradation is the most burning issue in Ethiopia as well as in Gonje Thewodros Monastery Forest (GTMF), because of anthropogenic and naturally induced disturbances. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the woody species composition, vegetation structure and regeneration status of GTMF in Gonje Kolela district. A Systematic random sampling designs were employed to set sampling plots for vegetation data collection. I have used Shannon-Weiner diversity index and Sorensen similarity coefficient for analysis of data. Five sampling transect lines and the total of (14,000 m2) 35 main sampling plots and (4375m2 and 175m2) 175 sub-plots were used to collect matured, saplings and seedlings woody plant species, respectively. The GTMF had three different types of communities were classified based on the dominant woody plant species. A total of 62 woody plant species belonging to 52 genera and 34 families were recorded and identified. The majority of the woody plant species were shrubs (50%) and the remaining were trees and climbers contributed 37% and 13%, respectively. GTMF had 3.5 and 0.85 the Shannon-Weiner diversity index and evenness value, respectively. The percentage of Sorensen similarity coefficient among communities ranges from 43.3% - 66.7%. Out of 62 woody plant species, 6.5% and 71% were endemic and had fair regeneration status, respectively. In this study, the degree of dominance and abundance of woody plant species was not equal in their IVI. Therefore, GTMF had great role in conservation of biodiversity. However, currently, the GTMF is under anthropogenic and naturally induced disturbances. The majority anthropogenic induced disturbance were grazing, farm land expansion to the monastery as well as residents and selective cuttings of trees and shrubs. Generally, the Monastery forest is under severe threat due to diversity of factors. Therefore, protection of plant diversity through different and feasible conservation strategies Such as finding alternative for grazing and farmlands and avoiding selective cutting of trees is recommended. Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16870 2025-08-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16863 Vegitation Ecology of Selected Church Forests Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in West Gojjam Zone Northwestern Ethiopia Ayele, Abebe Church forests in Ethiopia are vital to preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, conserving soil, and the protection of indigenous knowledge systems. Despite, these church forests are facing extreme threats from anthropogenic disturbances. Linking these sacred places with science is important to manage actively. Hence, the present study was aimed to examine the vegetation ecology of selected church forests and ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in West Gojjam zone, Northwestern Ethiopia. A total of 26 church forests were selected using stratified random sampling based on agroecology, elevation, size, and proximity to population centers to study vegetation ecology. Vegetation data were collected along Gentry transects, with 20 m x 20 m (400 m²) plots for matured trees diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 2.5 cm and height > 2.5 m), 5 m x 5 m (25 m²) subplots for saplings, and 1 m x 1 m (1 m²) subplots for seedlings. Soil samples were collected from each church forest, outside church forest and eucalyptus plantations to analyse soil physico-chemical properties. Soil samples were homogenized, followed by nutrient extraction and quantification. To assess the influence of various factors on woody species composition, soil nutrient dynamics, and aboveground biomass (AGB), both ANOVA and linear regression analyses were performed. All statistical analyses were conducted using JMP 17 (SAS Institute Inc.). Ethnobotanical data were also collected from three districts (selected based on agroecology) of the West Gojjam zone. Informants were selected through both purposive and random sampling methods. Ethnobotanical data was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative ethnobotanical parameters. A total of 111 woody species were documented from 26 church forests, of which 82.88% were indigenous, 15.32% exotic, and 1.8% endemic. The most dominant family was Fabaceae. The average density of woody species with DBH ≥ 2.5 cm and height > 2.5 m was 840 individuals’ ha-1. Eucalyptus camaldulensis was the most dominant frequented species in church forests accounted for 72.57% individuals’ ha-1. Ficus vasta had the highest basal area. Human disturbances such as expansion of agriculture, grazing, and grave construction in church forest had considerably influence on forest structure and species diversity. Additionally, edge effects endorsed the invasion of exotic species and contributed to reduced soil fertility within the forest. Church forests had highest carbon stocks, with a mean AGB of 31.97 ± 3.31 tons ha⁻¹ and a corresponding CO₂ equivalent of 97.15 ± 10.47 tons ha⁻¹, highlighting their notable potential for climate change mitigation. The xvii study area experienced an average human disturbance of 24.35%, reflecting the impact of human activities on the church forests. Woody species abundance was highest in the inner (38.9%) and middle (39.0%) zones but lowest at the edges (22.1%), reflecting greater regeneration and stability in forest interiors. Soil analysis showed that church forest soils were richer in organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus compared to soils outside church forests and in eucalyptus plantations, where widespread soil degradation was observed due to allelopathic effects. Similarly, ethnobotanical investigations were conducted in this zone and documented 97 medicinal plant species that were used to treat human ailments and 53 species that were employed in ethnoveterinary practices. These findings highlight the dual role of church forests as biodiversity hotspots and repositories of traditional medicinal knowledge. Effective conservation strategies are essential to mitigate human disturbances, control exotic species, maintain soil fertility, and safeguard both ecological and cultural values Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16863 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16861 Population Size, Diurnal Activity Pattern and Diet of Black and White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza) and Human-Primate Conflict in Kurib Forest, Gugusa Shekudade Wereda , Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Chalew, Abrham Habitat loss is the major threat to primates. In areas that have been heavily deforested, it is vital to document the population abundance and behavioral ecology of primates to inform conservation actions. This study was conducted to examine the population size, diurnal activity pattern and diet of black-and-white colobus monkey (Colobus guereza) as well as human-primate conflict in Kurib Forest, Awi Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia. The study was carried out from August 2023 to February 2024 which includes both the wet and dry seasons. Population size data were collected using total count method, while diurnal activity pattern and diet data of black-and-white colobus monkey were collected using scan sampling method in 15 minutes intervals. The extent of human-primate conflict data was collected using questionnaire and focus group discussion method. The total population of colobus monkeys in the study area was 135, with 129 recorded in the dry season and 141 in the wet season. Of this total population, 36 (26.6%), were adult males, 40.1 (29.7 %), adult females 30 (22.2%) Juveniles and Infants 28.9(21.4%) and Colobus monkey spent time 30.05 % for resting, 24.03% feeding, 16.56% moving, 16.31% grooming, 5.29% playing, 4.2% for aggression and 3.53% other activities. A total of 6234 diet records were obtained from scan sampling of the study groups. 3412 records were recorded during the dry season and 2822 records were during the wet season). From both seasons, young leaf contributed the most edible food items (34.55%). Matured leaf contributed (25.23 %) of the food items, Shoot contributed (20.17%), fruit (18.9%) and other (1.07%). A total of 16 plant species were consumed by colobus monkey in the study area. There was human-primate conflict in the Kurib Forest as the result of crop damage. Consequently primates were killed in response to crop damage. Habitat fragmentation and degradation are the main threats to primate survival. There is a need to protect the forest in order to ensure sustainable conservation of biodiversity in general and primates in particular. Educating the residents about wildlife and their habitat is necessary, and people should understand the impact of deforestation, overgrazing and hunting and the role of primates in the ecosystem at large. Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16861 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16857 The Effect Of Riverbed Substrate Compositions On Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity In Infranz River North Western Ethiopia Melese, Molla This study aimed to identify the distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates at Infranze River, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Benthic macro invertebrates were collected between 10-18November 2020 from three stations located at upstream, midstream and downstream of the river. Benthic macro invertebrates were collected by using Kik net with 500 micron mesh size combined with a rectangular quadrate with the size of 30 cm x 30 cm. Benthic macro invertebrates and physicochemical parameters of water were recorded from 39 sampling sites along Infranz River that represent the different geomorphologic zones such as mountainous (n=11), transitional (n=16), and floodplain zone (n=12). A total of 867 macro invertebrates from 20 orders and 51 families were collected. The results indicate that the study area was primarily dominated by the order Odonata, which comprises predatory flying insects, including dragonflies and damselflies, with a count of 314 individuals. However, Hemeptera was the most diverse with seven families as compared to odonata and epemeroptera. The diversity of benthic macro invertebrates were abundant at the transitional zone compared to the other two zones. This was due to higher anthropogenic disturbances and less favorable environmental conditions for macro invertebrate populations. The correlation between benthic substrates was positive and significant for sand, mud, gravel, detritus and silt. The majority of individuals (202) were discovered in gravel, representing 32 families Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16857 2025-08-01T00:00:00Z