dc.description.abstract |
This study was conducted on Assabila community forest in South Achefer District, West
Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia to determine woody plant species diversity, structure and evaluates
forest cover change of the community forest. A systematic sampling method with nested plots
was used to collect vegetation data. Accordingly, 36 quadrants each with 400 m2 (20 m X 20
m) were used for trees and 5 m X 5 m subplots (5 *36= 180) for collection of sapling and
seedling data. Stratification was done in the study forest to take accurate and reliable data
from the field as well as to maintain the homogeneity of the area. Based on vegetation density
the study forest was classified into highly populated, medially populated and lowly populated
forest. The sampling plots were placed at every 100 m intervals along the transect lines laid
at 200 m apart in the south to north direction. Concerning the vegetation structure of the
community forest, all trees and shrubs with a diameter at breast height (DBH) >2.5 cm and
height >2 m were measured for height and diameter analysis. The result showed that a total
of 44 woody species belonging to 31 genera and 26 families were identified in Assabila
community forest. From these species, 28 (68 %) were trees, 9(19%) were saplings, and 7
(13%) were seedlings. Of all the families, Fabaceae was the most dominant family which
contributing 16 species. The forest had average Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H`) and the
average evenness values of 2.69 and 0.71, respectively. The analysis of diameter at breast
height (DBH) and height class distribution of the study forest showed Bell-shaped attributing
poor regeneration and total basal area of all tree species were 11.8 m2/ha-1. Croton
macrostachyus, Carissa edulis, Acacia lahai, Maytenus arbutifolia were the most frequently
occurred species. As the result of forest cover change detection, the area was decreased from
113 ha to 92 ha from 1999 – 2019. Generally, the study forest had low species diversity and
poor regeneration potential because of the unwise use of the forest resources by the nearby
village dwellers and poorly protected by all the concerned bodies. Therefore, conservation of
species, ecosystem restoration and sustainable use of the forest genetic resources are
recommended as a result of this study.
Keywords: Community forest, Assabila, Species composition, Vegetation structure, Forest
cover change detections, Woody plant species diversity |
en_US |