Abstract:
The study was conducted in Robit Bata Church Forest, northwestern Ethiopia to investigate the
floristic composition, population structure and regeneration status of woody species. Systematic
random sampling method was employed to collect the vegetation data at every 30 m interval
between sample plots and 50m apart between each line transects. To collect data on seedlings
and saplings in each main plot, five subplots of 5m x 5m (25m2) size were located at the four
corners and one at the Centre of the main plot was used. A total of 24 plots, measuring 20m x
20m, were sampled along line transects following the altitudinal gradient. In each plot, all woody
species were identified, counted, and height and diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured
and recorded. A total of 42 species of plants belonging to 41 genera and 28 families were
recorded in the study area. Out of these plant species, 32 (76.2%) were trees, 4 (9.5%) tree/shrub,
6 (14.3%) shrubs. Fabaceae was the dominant family represented by 9 species (11.84%)
followed by Euphorbiaceae 4 species (9.5%), Asteraceae 3 species (7.1%) and Myrtaceae
2(4.8%). The remaining 24 families represented by 1 species each (2.4%). The diversity and
evenness of woody species in Robit Bata Church forest were 2.98 and 0.79, respectively. The
total density and basal area of woody species in Robit Bata Church forest were 659.38
individuals per hectare and 5.8 hectare, respectively. The results on DBH class were inverted J
shaped, J-shaped and irregular pattern distribution and important value index (IVI) suggest that
species with poor reproduction and recruitment status as well as low IVI values need to be
prioritized for conservation activities. The study area showed that fair regeneration status of the
species while some of them had not seedling and sapling which indicated poor or none
regeneration status of the species in the church forest. The community has critically affected
species of the woody plants and population structure of the forest as evidenced by the very low
density of many species. Cutting of shrubs or medium size trees were replaced by planting of
coffee for income, natural disaster (wind) and construction of new church are the major problems
that could pose serious threat to the forest resources. Therefore, to address these problems and
enhance the sustainable utilization of the forest resources, realistic and viable solutions have to
be explored and urgently implemented.
Keywords: Basal area, Floristic composition, Regeneration states, Species diversity