Woody Species, Diversity Sellassie Monastery Forest, Northwest A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Biology in Partial the Degree of Master of Science in Botany Diversity, Structure, and Regeneration Status of Mah e Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia at the moment, there is a growing realization of the severity of resource degradation. Although several factors drive natural forest destruction in Ethiopia, agricultural land expansion triggered by increasing human population is probably the dominant force. The present study was carried out in Mahbere Sellassie Monastery Forest with the objective of quantitative analysis of floristic composition, vegetation structure and regeneration status of woody species. A preliminary survey was done to determine sampling method and identify sampling site of the forest. Systematic sampling technique was used for vegetation data collection. Nine transects lines oriented to north - south directions at a distance of 500 m were laid down across the forest. Ninty sample plots with size 30 m x 30 m were laid down at 200 m interval at each transect line. In each main plot, five subplots were established, four at each corner and one at the center, to collect data for seedlings and saplings. A total of 119 plant species were recorded in the forest. Of all the species recorded 42% were trees, 12.6% shrubs, 6.7% climbers, 4.2% grasses and34.4% herbs. The dominant families were Fabaceae (16species), Lamiaceae and Poaceae (8 species each) and, Asteracea and Combretaceae (7 species each). Vegetation classification using R-statistical software resulted in four communities. Species richness, diversity and evenness varied among the plant communities. The monastery forest has a density of 898.4 stems/ ha and a total basal area of 97m2/ ha. The Study on the structure and regeneration of the forest indicated that there are species that require urgent conservationan attention. Future research directions and recommendations are forwarded for the sustainable utilization of the forest natural resources.