SOIL AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ITS IMPACT ON WOODY PLANT SPECIES COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION IN GURAWA DISTRICT, EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was conducted in Dabal forest to investigate the floristic composition, population structure and regeneration status of woody plant species in the forest. 52 nested quadrats of the size 20m × 20m, 10m x 10m and 5m × 5mfor tree/shrub, sapling and seedling respectively, were laid systematically along seven line transects. For each quadrat, variables such as altitude, longitude and latitudes were recorded by using Garmin 62 GPS. All tree/shrub species rooted within the main plot and saplings and seedlings of woody species within the subplots were counted and recorded. A meter-marked stick was used to measure the height of WS in order to define them as seedling, sapling and mature tree/shrub. Diameter at breast height (DBH) of all mature tree/ shrub was measured by using a diameter tape. Results of the study revealed that a total of 59 woody species representing 53 genera and 32 families were recorded in the forest. The Shannon Weiner diversity index and evenness values of the forest were found to be 3.56 and 0.87 respectively. Out of 59 plant species, 27(45.77%) were trees, 25 (40.68%) shrubs, (8.47%) tree/shrubs and (5.08%) Shrub/Liana. Fabaceae was the dominant family represented by 6 species (10.17%) followed by Euphorbiaceae and Moraceae 4 species (6.78%).Currently the forest needs to be protected and utilized in a sustainable way. Planting of indigenous tree species in areas where there is less number of seedlings and depleted tree population is also important to enhance the BA of the forest and promote its better provision for future generations.