Woody Vegetation Composition, Structure and Conservation Status of Gole Forest in Kamba Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in Gole Forest in Kamba wereda, Gamo Gofa zone, South Ethiopia with the objective of determining the woody vegetation composition, structure and conservation status of woody species. Systematic sampling was used to collect vegetation data. A total of 40 quadrats each with 400 m 2 (20 m X 20 m) were established along four lines transects for data collection. In addition, structural variables such as DBH and height were measured. Seedling and sapling were counted. Socio economic data was assessed from 50 informants using questionnaires and interviews. A total of 46 plants were identified (32 trees, 12 shrubs, and two lianas).Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrsinaceae and Rhamiaceae are the most dominant family followed by Astareceae and Simaroubaceae and in terms of the number of genera and species. Three plant community types were identified using the R program version 2.14.0 and named after two species with higher mean cover-abundance values. Structural analysis revealed a density of 626 stems ha -1 and a total basal area of 40.65m 2 ha 1 . Sorensen’s similarity coefficient was used to calculate similarities and dissimilarities among communities. Shannon-Wiener diversity index was used to analyse species diversity and richness. The density of tree species in the forest decreases with increasing height and DBH classes. Dominant tree species relatively with the high importance values were Syzygium guineense (Willd.)DC, Agrista salicifolia (Comm .ex Lam.) Don and Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel. Studies on the regeneration states of the forest indicated that some of species Albizia schimperiana (Van) schimperian, Prunus africana (Hook.f)Kalkm, Ficus sur Folrssk, Cordia africana Lam and Maytenus undata (Thump)Blakelock require urgent conservation measures. Based on the results of this study, detailed ecological and ethino-botanical studies and monitoring measures needed to rehabilitate degraded land and sustainable use of the forest are recommended.