Woody Plant Species Composition, Structural Analysis and Regeneration Status of Keraro Dosso Forest Sibu Sire District, East Wollegga Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted with the objective of assessing the woody plant species composition, Structural Analysis and Regeneration Status inKeraro Dosso Forest in East Wollega Zone, Oromia National Regional State, West Ethiopia.Systematic sampling method was used to collect woody plant data.Accordingly, 50 plots of size 20m x 20m (400m2) were used for trees and shrubs, and 250 subplots of 5m x5m for seedling and sapling at the four corners and one at the center of each large quadrat were used to make counting easier. Each plot was laid systematically at every 50m along 7 transect lines, which were about 150m apart from each other. In each of these quadrats, and outside quadrats but in the forest 68 woody plant species belongingto 61 genera and 36 families were collected and compare with other related research for identification. In addition, vegetation parameters such as DBH, height, seedling and sapling density of woody species were recorded. Fabaceae, Myrsinaceae, Asteraceae, Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Borginaceae and Moraceae were the dominant families. The analysis of overall population structure of the most common species indicated that the majority revealed reversed J shape; that means stable population structures. Atotal basal area of woody plant species DBH were 33.64m 2 /ha. As the value of IVI indicated species such as Albizia schimperiana, Vernonia auriculateria, Corton macrostachus, Maytenus gricilipes, Calpuria aurea,Erythrococca thricongyne,Carissa spinarum, Bersam abyssinica, and Combretumpaniculatum were the most frequent and dominant species with greater ecologicla important in the forest. On contrary species like, prunus africana, Premna oligotrichia, Grewia villosa, Vernonia amygdalina, Ekebergia capensis, Cordia africana, were displayed very low IVI indicating presence of anthropogenic disturbance. Woody plant species regeneration status analysis indicated that most species were with seedling and sapling stage, but afew species were without seedling or sapling owning to environmental factors. Therefore, based on the results of this study, species displayed very low IVI and with out seedling or sapling needs priorty from concering body and community. Detailed ecological studies in relation to various environmental and antheropogenic factors, and sound management and monitoring as well as maintenance of biodiversity that promote sustainable use of the forest and its products are recommended.