Abstract:
Woody species composition and structural analysis of Mura Forest was studied based on data collected using
systematic sampling methods, laying 6 transects and 32 plots each with 20 m x 20 m for trees and shrubs, 2 m x
2 m sub-quadrats for seedlings and saplings. Structural data were analyzed using descriptive statistics based on
frequency, density, diameter at breast height (DBH), basal area and importance value indices (IVI) of woody
species. The findings of this study showed that a total of 37 woody plant species belonging to 34 genera and 26
families were found, including 17 tree species (45.9%), 16 shrub species (43.2%), and 4 liana species (10%).
The largest species rich families were Fabaceae and Rosaceae, each represented by 3 species, followed by
Acanthaceae and Oleaceae with 2 species each. The total basal area and density of woody plants were 27.1
m
2
/ha and 912.5 stems/ha respectively. The population's diameter and height class distributions in the Mura
forest showed an inverted J-shape. Analysis of importance value index indicated that Eucalyptus globulus Labill
had the highest value with (28.2), followed by Juniperus procera Hochst ex Endl.(21), Ficus sur Forssk (19.3),
Podocarpus falcatus (Thunb.) R. B. ex Mirb (18.3) and Acacia abyssinica Hochst ex Benth. (15). Four
representative woody plant population structures were identified, that is, inverted J-shaped, bell-shaped, un
even distribution (Irregular) and J- shaped patterns. The majority of woody species had good regeneration but
low levels of recruitment from the perspective of population structure analysis. The overall Shannon-Wiener
Diversity Index (H`) and evenness values for the entire forest were 2.9 and 0.8, respectively. In general, the
results revealed that the forest had high species diversity, good regeneration status, but threatened with
anthropogenic impact and local community dependence, indicating the need for forest conservation and
restoration measures to ensure the sustainability of the forest.
