Floristic Composition and Vegetation Structure of Gemehat Remnant Forests, Habru Woreda, North Eastern, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted on Gemeshat Forest in North Wollo,northeastern Ethiopia with the objectives of
determining the floristic composition & vegetation structure. Stratified random samplings of 60 (20 m × 20 m) plots were sampled along line transects radiating from the peak of the Forest in north-south directions. In each main pots, five subplots (5 m x 5 m) and 2m×2m  distributed one at each corner and one at the center were laid down to sample trees ,shrubs and seedling and sapling of tree and shrub species. All plots were laid at a distance of 100 m along the transect lines. In each main plot, data on floristic Composition, species diversity, height and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of woody plant species and altitude, slope and aspect were recorded. Community classification was performed using R-Free Statistical Software. Shannon-Wiener diversity index were used to compute species diversity between the plant communities. Structure of the forest was analyzed using DBH, basal area and IVI. Results showed that a total of 60 woody plant species representing 60 genera and 38 families were identified. The dominant families were Fabaceae and Oleaceae (4 species and genera each) respectively. The highest density (4938 stems ha^-1) and basal area (21.9 m² ha^-1) was recorded by chekaw forest followed by kelta  forests  with a density(3032 stems ha ^-1 ) and a total basal area (9.66 m²ha^-1). The forest is characterized by high density of trees in the lower class than in the higher.Based on the results of vegetation classification, kelta,chekaw and Gosh Wona  forest possess three and four plant communities were identified and described respectively. Species richness, diversity and evenness varied among the plant communities. Results of structural analysis revealed that the forest was dominated by small sized trees & shrubs indicating that it is in the stage of secondary development and there are species that require urgent conservation measure. Based on the results of this study, regeneration status and medicinal values of the forest and appropriate conservation measures for sustainable use of the forest resources are suggested.

Keywords: Diversity, plant community, Gemeshat Forest, sustainable use of forest