Structure and Regeneration Status of Gedo Dry Evergreen Montane Forest, West Shewa Zone of Oromia National Regional State, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted on Gedo Dry Evergreen Montane Forest in West Shewa Zone of Oromia National Regional State, 182-196 km west of Addis Ababa (Finfinne). The objective of the study was to determine structure and regeneration status of Gedo Forest. All trees and shrubs with Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) ≥ 2 cm were measured for height and diameter. The density of tree species in Gedo Forest decreases with increasing height and DBH classes. The forest is characterized by high density of trees in the lower class than in the higher. Three layers (lower, middle and upper) of tree were identified from the study of vertical stratification of Gedo Forest following the International Union for Forestry Research Organization (IUFRO) classification scheme. The regeneration status of selected woody species was assessed as well as the forest was compared with five dry evergreen forests of Ethiopia. Based on the result of the study, research on the soil seed bank, population dynamics and ecology of endemic species were recommended.

Keywords: Dry evergreen montane forest; Gedo Forest; Phytogeographical; Comparison