Woody Plant Species Diversity Assessment At Berche Natural Forest In Gololcha Woreda, Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study on woody plant species diversity assessment at Berche natural forest in Gololcha woreda was conducted from October 2016 to July, 2017. The study site was selected purposefully based on the presence of highly dense forest in Berche Natural forest. Systematic Sampling method was employed. To investigate the woody species structure, composition and diversity of Berche forest, six transects were laid. Sample quadrats measuring 20m x20 m, and 5m x 5m were laid for trees; shrubs and saplings respectively in a nested form. The sample quadrats were laid down along transects at a distance of 200m from each other using GPS. A total of 30 quadrats were sampled. Vegetation classification was performed using R 3.3.1 package by using species cover-abundance. The other structural analysis were performed using Microsoft excel. Shannon - Wiener diversity index, species richness and Shannon’s evenness were computed to describe species diversity of the plant community structure. Results showed that a total of 58 woody species representing 34 families and 48 genera were recorded. The major families were Fabaceae and Anacardiaceae each represented by 7 species (12%) and 6 (10%) respectively. The majority of the families were represented by one species only. Based on the results of vegetation classification, three plant communities were recognized and described. Species richness, diversity and evenness varied among the plant communities. Community three has the highest species diversity and evenness with 3.8 and 97% respectively. The forest is dominated by understory and shrub layer. Participatory forest management is recommended for better management of the forest.