Abstract:
This study was focused on the diversity and conservation status of Non-Timber Forest Resources
(NTFRs) in Sera forest with the objective of identifying and documenting diversity of plant
species used as NTFRs and their conservation status. The study applied a combination of plant
ecological and ethno botanical methods. A preferential systematic sampling method was used to collect
vegetation data from 50 plots of 20m x20m for all woody species and 2x2m sub-plots inside the large plot
for recording of sapling and seedling. Diameter at breast height were measured using tapemeter for
woody species of>2cm while height and cover/abundance values were visually estimated. Ethno
botanical data were gathered through semi-structured interviews which involved 230(206 randomly
sampled general and 24 purposively selected key informants) group discussion, guided field walk
and market surveys were employed during data collection. Hierarchical cluster analysis, with R version
3.3.2, was used to identify plant communities. Shannon-Wiener and Simson‘s diversity indices
were used to calculate species diversity, richness and eveness. Jacchard‘s and Soresen‘s
similarity ratio were also used to measure similarity between the plant communities. Data were analyzed
using R statistical software and analytical methods of ethno botany. A total of 134 plant species belonging to 45
families used as a source of NTFRs were documented from the study area. Four plant community types
were identified and named by after two dominant species (usually a tree and shrub) that selected by their
higher synoptic value. Overall Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index of the species was found to be 4.285 with
the species evenness of 0.917. The distribution of plant species among the communities showed
significant similarity. Both Diversity and evenness was highest in community four. Community two is the
least in species diversity and the second in evenness. Eleven major use categories of the NTFRs were identified.
Out of these, medicine, firewood and charcoal making and construction materials were the most dominant
uses requiring large volume of NTFRs in the area. The findings also showed that illegal timber
extraction, grazing, over harvesting NTFRs, farm expansion and fire hazards were the major threats of
the forest resources in the study area. Therefore special attention towards the conservation and sustainable
use of plant resources of the area is needed
