Floristic Composition and Structural Analysis of Jibat Humid Afromontane Forest, West Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia
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Abstract
The study was conducted on Jibat Forest to determine the floristic composition,vegetation structure and plant community types. Systematic sampling method was usedto collect vegetation data. A total of 74 quadrats each with a size of 20 m x 20 m forwoody species and with in each major plot, five sub plots of size 1 m x 1 m wereestablished for herbacious data collection. All plant species in each quadrat wererecorded. Height and DBH of each woody plant species with height ≥ 2.5 m and DBH ≥2.5 cm were measured. A total of 183 species representing 161 genera and 73 familieswere recorded. Of the total species, 16 (8.74%) species are endemic to Ethiopia. Herbshad the highest composition followed by shrubs and trees. Six plant community typeswere identified from the cluster analysis and were named after 2 to 3 dominant speciesin each cluster. The description of each community type was given. The total basal areaof the forest was 59.79 m 2 /ha. Analysis of importance value index indicated that Ilexmitis had the highest value (27.7). The study revealed the prevalence of small-sizedindividuals in the Jibat Forest. Six population distribution patterns were recognized, i.e.,inverted J, irregular, U-shape, bell-shape, Gauss-type and J- shaped patterns. Therefore,based on the results of this study, detailed study on regeneration potential of the forest isrecommended.
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Ethiopian Journal of Education and Sciences. All rights reserved.