scholarly journals Woody Species Composition, Vegetation Structure, and Regeneration Status of Majang Forest Biosphere Reserves in Southwestern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Semegnew Tadese ◽  
Teshome Soromessa ◽  
Tesefaye Bekele ◽  
Getaneh Gebeyehu

The aim of this study was to analyse the species composition, structures, and regeneration of woody plant species and the impacts of site factors on the natural regeneration of tree species in four study sites of MFBR. The vegetation data were collected systematically in 140 plots with the size of 400 m2 for trees; 25 m2 for seedlings, saplings, shrubs, and lianas; and 1 m2 for herbs. Individual tree and shrub DBH ≥ 5 cm were measured and counted. The diameter at breast height (DBH), frequency, basal area, importance value index (IVI), and density were used for vegetation structure description and regeneration. A total of 158 plant species belonging to 115 genera, 56 families, and 80 species (51%) trees, 26 (16%) shrubs, 19 (12%) herbs, and 33 (21%) lianas were identified and recorded. The most dominant families were Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, and Moraceae, each represented by 13 species (7.4%), 12 species (6.8%), and 10 species (5.7%), respectively. The tree densities varied from 1232 to 1478 stem ha−1, sapling density 176.8 to 708.7 stem ha−1, and seedling density 534.7 to 1657.5 stem ha−1, with an average basal area of 63.6 m2 in the study sites. Dracaena afromontana was the most frequent woody species in the MFBR occurring in 90% followed by Celtis zenkeri (65%) and Pouteria altissima (62.5%). The regeneration status of all the woody plant species was categorised as “not regenerate” (9.6%), “poor” (30.7%), “fair” (59.5%), and “good” (10.8%) in all sites. The correlation result between natural regeneration and site factors revealed both positive and negative relationships. However, the main threat to the biosphere reserve is illegal logging for different purposes. Therefore, awareness creation on sustainable forest management, utilisation, conservation of priority species, and livelihood diversification to the local community and encouraging community and private woodlot plantation in the transitional zone of biosphere reserves are recommended.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Abyot Dibaba ◽  
Teshome Soromessa ◽  
Alemayehu Kefalew ◽  
Admassu Addi

This study was conducted in Agama Forest in Kafa Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia, to assess species diversity, vegetation structure, and regeneration status of woody species. A systematic sampling technique was employed to collect vegetation data. Sixty (60) sample plots of 25 m × 25 m were laid at 300 m intervals all along ten grids interspaced 800 m apart. Sample plots of 25 m × 25 m were used to record DBH and H of all woody plant species reaching a DBH >2.5 cm and height >2 m. For the inventory of seedling and sapling, two subplots of 2 m × 5 m were used at the beginning and the end of the baseline on opposite sides of the main quadrat. Vegetation data such as DBH, height, seedling, and sapling density of woody species were recorded in each plot. Altogether, 72 woody plant species of 65 genera and 35 families were identified. Analysis of selected tree species showed diverse population structures. This study showed that small trees and shrubs dominated the Agama Forest, which revealed its status under a secondary regeneration stage. Study on the structure and regeneration of some woody species indicated that there are species that require urgent conservation measures. Sound management and monitoring, as well as maintenance of biodiversity and cultural and economic values of the forest, require conservation activities that encourage sustainable uses of the forest and its products.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markos Kuma ◽  
Simon Shibru

Our current study was conducted in Oda forest to explore floristic composition, vegetation structure, and regeneration of woody species in a newly established Humbo Carbon Project. In the project, the above information for sufficient conservation and management of the forest is not well documented. Data were collected in October and December 2014. Thirty-two quadrats (20 m × 20 m) lying 100 m far apart were used for shrub and tree data. In each major plot, subplots (1 m2) were established at the center and corner for seedlings and saplings data. Altitude, slope, and aspect were measured using GPS and clinometers. DBH, basal area, and IVI were used for vegetation structure. Among 62 species confined in 32 families and 54 genera, Dodonaea angustifolia and Combretum molle were the densest and the most dominant and frequent species with higher IVI. Altitude and slope had significant effect (p<0.0001) on basal area and dominance. Bell and inverted J shaped patterns of selected woody species were identified. The seedling, sapling, and matured tree had 2.3%, 23.7%, and 74% density ha−1 of individuals, respectively. Generally, the study confirmed that very few species had dominance and abundance, influence of altitude and slope on species distribution, and fair regeneration of the forest.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-53
Author(s):  
SISAY TEGEGNE ◽  
BIKILA WORKINEH

Tegegne S, Workineh B. 2017. Vegetative structure, floristic composition and natural regeneration of a species in Ylat Forest in Meket Woreda, Northeastern Ethiopia. Asian J For 1: 40-53. The natural forest of Ylat in Meket Woreda, Northeastern Ethiopia was examined to decide the vegetative structure, floristic formation and natural regeneration of woodland species and to supply data on sustainable administration of the woody plants in specific and the woodland founts in common. Systematic sampling design was used in this study to gather vegetation information. For each of the sampling sites, five transect lines having fiftyfour primary plots with 400 m2 (20m × 20m) each were laid out to gather the information on woody species along 200m line transects. A total of 60 vascular plant species having a place to 41 families and 56 genera were identified of which 13 (21.67%) were trees, 31 (51.67%) bushes, 6 (10%) climbers and 10 species (16.66) of herbs. Of all the families, Lamiaceae (8.33%) and Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Euphorbiaceae 3 species (5%) were the most overwhelming woody plant species and followed by Sapindaceae, Aloaceae, Ranunclaceae, Poaceae, Oleaceae, Polygonaceae and Cucurbitaceae contains 2 species each (3.33%). A total of 2652 woody plant species individuals (1227.77 individual/ha) were found of which 405 individuals were Myrsine africana and 19 individuals were Millettia ferruginea and 20 individuals were Dombeya torrida. This data showed the highest and the lowest number of woody plant species. The thickness of woody species with DBH ≥ 2.5cm was 1227.77 individual/ha, basal zone was 1 m2 /ha, frequency of woody species was 258. The overall Shannon diversity and evenness of woody species was 2.94 and 0.84 respectively, demonstrating that the diversity and evenness of woody species within the timberland is moderately high. The woody plant species having the highest importance value index (IVI) were Erica arborea (36.31) followed by Allophylus abyssinicus (28.65) whereas Hagenia abyssinica, Myrica salicifolia, Euphorbia tirucalli, Calpurnia aurea were the lowest IVI and should be given conservation priority. Finally, this study showed that the population structure of the most woody plant species in Ylat Timberland was in a great state of regeneration recruitment level.


Author(s):  
Samson Shimelse Jemaneh

This study was conducted with the objectives of study investigates, compare, and try to describe the floristic composition and structure of the vegetation of exclosures and open grazing lands. A stratified preferential sampling design technique with flexible systematic model was used for data collection. Data on vegetation and environmental parameters were gathered from 120 quadrants (90 from restorations or exclosures of different ages and 30 from adjacent open grazing lands), of 20 m x 20 m (400 m2) size. Species richness and the presence or absence of herbaceous plants were recorded like soil samples in a 2 m x 2 m (4 m2) subplot inside each main quadrant from five points, one at each corner and one at the center.  A total of 142 plant species belonging to 118 genera and 52 families were identified. All exclosures displayed higher plant species richness, diversity, and aboveground standing biomass compared to the adjacent open grazing lands. Consideration of edaphic (e.g. soil total nitrogen, available phosphorus, CEC, exchangeable bases, soil pH and soil texture) and site (e.g. Stoniness, Grazing) variables will help to optimize the selection of areas for the establishment of future exclosures. Moreover, our study suggests that with time exclosures may increasingly obtain an important role as refugees and species pool similar to church forests and should be protected and managed in a sustainable manner. However, economic and social impacts of exclosures should be included in feasibility studies before establishing exclosures in the future.  Altitude, Grazing and some soil parameters like Mg were the major environmental factors in the division of the vegetation into plant community types. The result of the frequency distribution of woody species showed a high proportion of small-sized individuals in the lower diameter classes indicating good recruitment potential of the forest patches and the rare occurrence of large individuals. Such trend was probably caused by past disturbance of the original vegetation resulting in a succession of secondary vegetation. In addition, the analysis of species population structure indicated that some tree species had abnormal population structure with no or few individuals at lower size classes. Moreover, assessment of regeneration status on the basis of age classes indicated that significant proportion of woody species were represented by few or no seedlings, entailing that they were under threat. Substantial numbers of forest species were found to have irregular population structure and are in reduced regeneration status. To prevent local extinction of these species, present efforts of nursery establishment and plantation of indigenous species in the exclosures should be strengthened and extended.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. K. Paudyal

The study was conducted in the Pragatisil Community Forest, Kaski District, Nepal in 2012 to assess the regeneration status of Sal (Shorea robusta) seedlings, its growth and plant diversity. A plot size of 25 m × 20 m was employed for trees, 10 m ×10 m for poles and 5 m × 5 m for regeneration. The growth parameters measured were dbh and height. A factorial arrangement of treatments was employed; the treatments being slope and aspect. The results showed that there was significant (p<0.05) effect of slope on dbh and basal area whereas there was no effect of aspect on growth parameters measured in the Pragatisil Community Forest. The regeneration of Sal was satisfactory (6,126 seedlings/ha), and there were 32 plant species in this forest. As there was higher basal area per ha in the Pragatisil Community Forest, it is recommended to have thinning of 40% of basal area for enhancing growth of remaining stems.Banko Janakari, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2013


2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E. Dahir ◽  
J.E.Cummings Carlson

Abstract The incidence of white pine blister rust, caused by the fungus Cronartium ribicola, was recorded in 61 pole and small sawtimber stands in northern Wisconsin where the risk of infection has long been considered high. A minimum of three, randomly located, 10 basal area factor prism plots were established in each stand. Topographic position, aspect, slope, tree density, habitat type, and the presence or absence of bole cankers were recorded at each plot. The mean incidence of infection was 7.2% for all study sites and 5.9% excluding data from Bayfield Peninsula. Mean incidence of cankered trees at this site was 15.9%. The following site factors were significantly correlated with increased incidence of blister rust: increased latitude, higher topographic position, northern aspect, lower total tree density, and absence of a hardwood overstory. Incidence was almost three times higher on ridge tops and shoulders (12.3%) than on flat or bottomland (4.7%). Habitat type was correlated with disease incidence only at the Bayfield Peninsula site, and slope was not significantly correlated with rust levels on any of the plots. North. J. Appl. For. 18(3):81–86.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin L. Hart ◽  
Brittany N. Holmes

AbstractInvasion of closed canopy forests by shade-tolerant alien plants has the potential to modify species composition, stand structure, ecosystem function, and long-term forest development patterns. Ligustrum sinense is a shade-tolerant alien shrub that has invaded bottomland forests throughout the southeastern United States. This species has received comparatively little attention in the literature despite its potential to drastically alter invaded sites. The overarching goal of our study was to document the relationships between Ligustrum sinense invasion and woody plant biodiversity and development patterns in an intact southeastern U.S. bottomland forest. The forest was dominated by Quercus nigra and Liquidambar styraciflua. Ligustrum sinense ranked fifth in basal area contribution, occurred in 97% of our plots, and represented 95% of all understory stems. Spearman's rho for dominance (based on basal area of stems > 5 cm diameter at breast height [dbh]) of L. sinense and woody plant species richness for each plot revealed a significant negative relationship (rs = −0.69, P < 0.01). A similar relationship was revealed between L. sinense density and woody plant species diversity (rs = −0.78, P < 0.01) and evenness (rs = −0.82, P < 0.01). Spearman's rho for L. sinense density and native understory stem density (individuals ≥ 1 m height, < 5 cm dbh) also revealed a significant negative association (rs = −0.48, P < 0.01). Under the current disturbance regime and without active management, we projected the forest would shift to support a stronger component of L. sinense and that structure would transition from tree to shrub dominance for sites within the forest.


2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 431-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Angel Muñiz-Castro ◽  
Guadalupe Williams-Linera ◽  
José María Rey Benayas

Secondary succession was studied in a Mexican cloud forest region along a chronosequence of 15 abandoned pastures (0.25–80 y). Our objective was to determine the effects of distance from the forest border on successional vegetation structure and woody species richness along the chronosequence. Vegetation structure similar to that of mature forests recovered over 40–50 y, both close to (0–10 m) and away from (40–50 m) the border. Total woody species richness was similar for both distances but species composition differed significantly. When primary forest species were analysed separately, basal area, height, abundance and richness were all significantly higher close to the forest border. Primary species such as Quercus spp. (barochorous-synzoochorous) and Carpinus caroliniana (anemochorous) had lower basal area, density and height away from the border than close to it. Secondary species such as Lippia myriocephala (anemochorous) and Myrsine coriacea (endozoochorous) did not differ in their rate of colonization between distances. The limitation of seed dispersal and establishment for primary woody species away from forest borders suggests that propagules need to be introduced to accelerate forest restoration.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke McCalip ◽  
Brian P. Oswald ◽  
Kathryn R. Kidd ◽  
Yuhui Weng ◽  
Kenneth W. Farrish

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannas were once dominant across the southeastern U.S., including East Texas and parts of western and central Louisiana. The diverse understory associated with these historical savannas may occasionally be seen today, but not often in longleaf pine ecosystems. This project aimed to define east Texas site characteristics that are necessary to support these ecosystems with a dense and diverse herbaceous understory with little to no midstory cover. Fifty-nine plots across three study sites were established to evaluate the influence of overstory cover, basal area, aspect, elevation, and slope on the number of plant genera present. Forest structure and site characteristics had significant effects on the number of plant genera found. The number of genera increased with higher elevation and slope; as elevation increased, there was a decline in basal area and overstory cover, leading to a more diverse, understory layer. In order to re-establish and maintain a diverse, herbaceous understory in longleaf pine savannas, sites with more open canopies and on slopes with the most solar exposure should be given priority, particularly when planting desired understory species.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document