Plant Community Analysis along Environmental Gradients in Moist Afromontane Forest of Gerba Dima, South-western Ethiopia

Abstract Background: This study was carried out in Gerba Dima Forest, South-Western Ethiopia, to determine the floristic composition, species diversity and community types along environmental gradients. Ninety sample plots having a size of 25 X 25m (625m2) were laid by employing stratified random sampling. Nested plots were used to sample plants of different sizes and different environmental variables. All woody plant species with Diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 2.5 cm and height ≥ 1.5m were recorded in 25 m X 25 m plots. Hierarchical (agglomerative) cluster analysis was performed using the free statistical software R version 3.6.1 using package cluster to classify the vegetation into plant community types. Redundancy Analysis (RDA) ordination was used in describing the pattern of plant communities along an environmental gradient. Result: One hundred and eighty plant species belonging to 145 genera, 69 families and comprising of 15 endemic species were recorded. Of these, 52 species (28.9%) were trees, 6 species (3.33%) were Trees/shrubs, 31 species (17.22%) were shrubs, 76 species (42.22%) were herbs, and 15 species (8.33%) were Lianas. Rubiaceae, Acanthaceae and Asteraceae were the richest family each represented by 11 genera and 11 species (6.11%), 9 genera and 11 species (6.11%), 6 genera and 11 species (6.11%), respectively of total floristic composition. Cluster analysis resulted in five different plant communities and this result was supported by the ordination result. RDA result showed altitude was the main environmental variable in determining the plant communities. The ANOVA test indicated that the five community types differ significantly from each other with regard to Electrical Conductivity and Potassium. Conclusions: Description of floristic diversity of species in Gerba Dima forest revealed the presence of high species diversity and richness. The presence of endemic plant species in the study forest shows the potential of the area for biodiversity conservation.

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Plant Community Analysis along Environmental Gradients in Moist Afromontane Forest of Gerba Dima, South-western Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-19997/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abyot Dibaba Hundie ◽

Teshome Soromessa Urgessa ◽

Bikila Warkineh Dullo

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Regional Government ◽

Community Types ◽

Western Ethiopia

Abstract Background This study was carried out in Gerba Dima Forest, South-Western Ethiopia, to determine the floristic composition, species diversity and community types along environmental gradients. Ninety sample plots having a size of 25 × 25 m (625 m2) were laid by employing stratified random sampling. Nested plots were used to sample plants of different sizes and different environmental variables. All woody plant species with Diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 2.5 cm and height ≥ 1.5 m were recorded in 25 m X 25 m plots. Within the major plots, five 3 m x 3 m subplots (9 m2) was used to collect shrubs with dbh < 2.5 cm and > 1.5 m height. Within each 9 m2subplots, two 1 m2 subplots were used to collect data on the species and abundance of herbaceous plants. Hierarchical (agglomerative) cluster analysis was performed using the free statistical software R version 3.6.1 using package cluster to classify the vegetation into plant community types. Redundancy Analysis (RDA) ordination was used in describing the pattern of plant communities along an environmental gradient. Result One hundred and eighty plant species belonging to 145 genera, 69 families and comprising of 15 endemic species were recorded. Cluster analysis resulted in five different plant communities and this result was supported by the ordination result. RDA result showed altitude was the main environmental variable in determining the plant communities. The ANOVA test indicated that the five community types differ significantly from each other with regard to EC and K. Conclusions The studied forest can play a significant role in biodiversity conservation since it harbours high species diversity and richness. Thus, all Stakeholders including Oromia Forest and wildlife enterprise (OFWE) and the regional government should work to designate the forest as a biosphere reserve and being registered under UNESCO.

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Plant Community Analysis along Environmental Gradients in Moist Afromontane Forest of Gerba Dima, South-western Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-19997/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abyot Dibaba Hundie ◽

Teshome Soromessa Urgessa ◽

Bikila Warkineh Dullo

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Regional Government ◽

Afromontane Forest ◽

Community Types ◽

Western Ethiopia

Abstract Background: This study was carried out in Gerba Dima Forest, South-Western Ethiopia, to determine the floristic composition, species diversity and community types along environmental gradients. Ninety sample plots having a size of 25 X 25m (625m 2 ) were laid by employing stratified random sampling. Nested plots were used to sample plants of different sizes and different environmental variables. All woody plant species with Diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 2.5 cm and height ≥ 1.5m were recorded in 25 m X 25 m plots. Within the major plots, five 3m x 3m subplots (9m 2 ) was used to collect shrubs with dbh < 2.5 cm and > 1.5m height. Within each 9m 2 subplots, two 1m 2 subplots were used to collect data on the species and abundance of herbaceous plants. Hierarchical (agglomerative) cluster analysis was performed using the free statistical software R version 3.6.1 using package cluster to classify the vegetation into plant community types. Redundancy Analysis (RDA) ordination was used in describing the pattern of plant communities along an environmental gradient. Result: One hundred and eighty plant species belonging to 145 genera, 69 families and comprising of 15 endemic species were recorded. Cluster analysis resulted in five different plant communities and this result was supported by the ordination result. RDA result showed altitude was the main environmental variable in determining the plant communities. The ANOVA test indicated that the five community types differ significantly from each other with regard to EC and K. Conclusions: The studied forest can play a significant role in biodiversity conservation since it harbours high species diversity and richness. Thus, all Stakeholders including Oromia Forest and wildlife enterprise (OFWE) and the regional government should work to designate the forest as a biosphere reserve and being registered under UNESCO. Keyword s: Gerba Dima; Indicator species; Moist Afromontane Forest; Species diversity

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Ecological and floristic study of Hirmi woodland vegetation in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Ecological Processes ◽

10.1186/s13717-020-00257-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mehari Girmay ◽

Tamrat Bekele ◽

Sebsebe Demissew ◽

Ermias Lulekal

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Vegetation Structure ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Individual Species ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Regeneration Status ◽

Community Types

Abstract The dryland area in Ethiopia covers a substantial region endowed with diverse plant resources. However, the landmass has received less attention even if it has high ecological, environmental, and economic uses. The present study was conducted in Hirmi woodland vegetation, which is one of the dryland areas in Ethiopia, with the objective of investigating the floristic composition, plant community types, vegetation structure, community-environment relations and its regeneration status. Vegetation and environmental data were collected from 80 sampling plots with a size of 25 m × 25 m designated as the main plots. Diameter at breast height (DBH), height, basal area, density, vertical structure, importance value index (IVI), and frequency were computed. Species diversity and evenness were analyzed using Shannon diversity and evenness indices. The plant community types and vegetation-environment relationships were analyzed using classification and ordination tools, respectively. A total of 171 vascular plant species belonging to 135 genera and 56 families were recorded. About 5.3% of the species were endemic and near-endemic to Ethiopia. The highest number of species was recorded in families Fabaceae (16.4%) and Poaceae (11.7%) followed by Asteraceae (7.0%), Combretaceae, Lamiaceae, and Moraceae (3.5% each). Five plant communities were identified. According to the results from ordination analysis, the floristic composition of these plant communities was significantly affected by altitude, slope, sand, silt, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and disturbance. The vegetation structure reveals that a large number of individual species was categorized in the lower DBH, frequency, and height classes. The highest Shannon diversity index and evenness values of the study area were 4.21 and 0.95, respectively. Anogeissus leiocarpa, Combretum hartmannianum, Ziziphus mucronata, Terminalia macroptera, and Acacia polyacantha were the species with high IVI. Some endemic plants were in the IUCN red list categories of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The overall regeneration status of the study area was poor because of anthropogenic disturbances and grazing pressures. Although the study area is endowed with high plant species diversity including endemism, it is under poor regeneration status due to various disturbances. To overcome this challenge, integrated management measures including monitoring and application of restoration techniques by taking into consideration the significant environmental factors associated with species diversity as well as observed regeneration status and IUCN threat level of the species are highly recommended.

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Vascular plant communities of a polar oasis at Alexandra Fiord (79° N), Ellesmere Island, Canada

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b89-147 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 67 (4) ◽

pp. 1126-1136 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

M. Muc ◽

B. Freedman ◽

J. Svoboda

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Vascular Plants ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

High Arctic ◽

Ellesmere Island ◽

Community Types

A cluster analysis was used to apportion 136 stands in a High Arctic lowland among six vascular plant community types. These communities are described on the basis of the average prominence values of vascular species and the total cover of macroalgae, bryophytes, lichens, and vascular plants within the designated clusters of stands. The relationships among the community types was explored by a detrended correspondence analysis. The ordination of stands showed considerable floristic overlap among the most widespread plant communities on the lowland. This largely reflects the microtopographic heterogeneity of the sites, the relatively depauperate flora of the High Arctic, and the considerable ecological amplitude of the most prominent vascular plant species.

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Phytosociological surveys: tools for weed science?

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582013000200025 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 469-482 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

G. Concenço ◽

M. Tomazi ◽

I.V.T. Correia ◽

S.A. Santos ◽

L. Galon

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Distinct Group ◽

Weed Science ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Ecological Evaluation ◽

Natural Plant ◽

Ecological Basis

In simple terms, a phytosociological survey is a group of ecological evaluation methods whose aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of both the composition and distribution of plant species in a given plant community. To understand the applicability of phytosociological surveys for weed science, as well as their validity, their ecological basis should be understood and the most suitable ones need to be chosen, because cultivated fields present a relatively distinct group of selecting factors when compared to natural plant communities. For weed science, the following sequence of steps is proposed as the most suitable: (1) overall infestation; (2) phytosociological tables/graphs; (3) intra-characterization by diversity; (4) inter-characterization and grouping by cluster analysis. A summary of methods is established in order to assist Weed Science researchers through their steps into the realm of phytosociology.

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Phyto-ecological studies and distribution pattern of plant species and communities of Dhirkot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0257493 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. e0257493

Author(s):

Mevish Mumshad ◽

Israr Ahmad ◽

Shujaul Mulk Khan ◽

Abdullah ◽

Khadija Rehman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Distribution Pattern ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Jammu And Kashmir ◽

Species Analysis ◽

Distribution Composition

Plant species represent the hierarchical expression of vegetation as it is affected by various environmental gradients. We explored the plant species composition, distribution pattern, communities formation and their respective indicators under the influence of various environmental factors in the Dhirkot region, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It was hypothesized that different environmental factors were responsible for the formation of various plant communities each with a distinct indicator. Quantitative ecological techniques were used for the sampling of vegetation. A total of 114 quadrats were established in 13 selected sampling sites. Phytosociological attributes were calculated for each plant species at each quadrat. Soil samples were collected and analyzed using different standard protocols. All the collected data were analyzed using Cluster Analysis, Indicator Species Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis of PCORD and CANOCO software, respectively. A total of 145 plant species were recorded belong to 62 different families. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the dominant families, represented by 12 species each (8.27%). Cluster Analysis classify all the stations and plants into four major plant communities as 1) Olea-Desmodium-Prunilla community. 2) Abies-Zanthoxylum-Pteracanthus community 3) Cedrus-Elaeagnus-Hypericum community 4) Alnus-Myrsine–Ranunculus community. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil saturation, organic matter and altitude were the significant environmental factors that play its essential role in the plant species distribution, composition, formation of major plant communities and their respective indicators in the region. It is recommended that the identified indicator and rare plant species of the investigated area can further be grown for conservation and management purposes in in-situ environment.

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Biodiversity and Classification of Plant Communities of Sabaloka area-central Sudan

Journal of The Faculty of Science and Technology ◽

10.52981/jfst.vi6.599 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 18-24

Author(s):

Adam Bashir ◽

Hatil Alkamali ◽

Maha Elkordofani ◽

Abdelrahman H Baleela

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Field Trips ◽

River Nile ◽

Central Sudan ◽

Trees And Shrubs

The study was carried out during the period 2016 – 2018, through several extensive and intensive field trips that covered deferent habitats (Wadis & River Nile banks) of Sabaloga area central Sudan. The study dealt with Analysis of plant communities which include species diversity and classification of plants communities by Cluster Analysis (CA).The species diversity in Wadis for trees and shrubs was lower than the diversity of herbs , while it was higher in River Nile Banks for both trees and herbs.The study shown that the study area was included seven plant communities located in two sites. Site 1 was represented by six Wadis which included six plant communities. Site 2 was represented by River Nile Banks which included one plant community (Community 7).

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Effect of environmental gradients on diversity and plant community distribution in remnant dry Afromontane forest of Mount Duro, Nagelle Arsi, Ethiopia

Biodiversity Research and Conservation ◽

10.2478/biorc-2020-0004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 21-31

Author(s):

Mengistu Teshome ◽

Zebene Asfaw ◽

Gemedo Dalle

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Forest Ecosystem ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

Community Type ◽

Diversity Assessment ◽

Bersama Abyssinica

Abstract For forest ecosystem management to be effective, explicit understanding of the species diversity-environmental relationship along elevation gradient is crucial. This study aimed at identifying and describing plant communities and also documenting their species diversity. Evaluation of relationships between selected environmental variables and species diversity was another objective of this study. Systematic sampling techniques were used to collect vegetation data in a total of forty two sample plots (size=20×20 m). Within main plots, four sub-plots of 5×5 m were established at four corners and – one sub-plot of the same size in the center. These plots were used for shrub and herb diversity assessment. Within each sample plot, all plant species were documented and their scientific names were identified. Environmental variables, such as: elevation, aspect and slope, were also recorded for each main plot. Species diversity was determined using Shannon-Wiener diversity index and evenness in R statistical software. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering method was used for plant community classification. The total of 44 plant species belonging to 30 families was documented. Four plant community types were identified with different diversity, evenness and species richness. These plant communities were: Afrocurpus falcatus-Ficus sur, Maesa lanceolata-Bersama abyssinica, Vernonia myriantha-Urera hypselodendron and Croton machrostachus-Tecleanobilis occurring at average elevation of 2521, 2429, 2329, and 2364 m asl, respectively. Maesa lanceolata-Bersama abyssinica community type exhibited the highest species diversity and evenness followed by Croton machrostachus-Teclea nobilis community type showing the fact that median elevation ranges were rich in species. Elevation and slope gradient explained significant variation in species richness in the studied forest. For effective conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of the forest ecosystem, further research on the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances and soil properties is recommended as a result of this study.

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