Floristic composition, species diversity and vegetation structure of Gera moist montane forest, Jimma zone of Oromia national regional state, southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Floristic composition, species diversity and vegetation structure of Gera Moist Montane Forest was conducted in Jimma Zone of Oromia National Regional State, southwest Ethiopia. A total of 132 plant species in 112 genera and 59 families were identified from this forest. Fabaceae was the most dominant family with ten species and nine genera. According to Ensermu Kelbessa and Teshome Soromessa (2008), the dominance of Fabaceae and Asteraceae could be attributed to their efficient and successful dispersal mechanisms and adaptation to a wide range of ecological conditions. Plots of 30 m x 30 m were arranged at a distance of 200 m from each other for sampling woody species. To sample herbaceous plants, five sub-plots each with 1 m x 1 m were laid in the main plot. Shannon-Wiener diversity index was used to compute species richness and evenness between the plant communities. DBH, basal area, and height were computed to describe the structure of the forest. The regeneration status of some woody species of the forest was evaluated based on the number of seedlings and saplings per hectare. Vegetation classification was performed using R-2.11.1 software packages. Plant communities were named after two of the dominant woody species occurring in each group using the relative magnitude of the highest mean cover abundance within the cluster. Future research directions and recommendations are suggested for the sustainable utilization of the vegetation.

Key words/phrases: Endemic species, Gera Forest, Moist evergreen forest, Vegetation structure.