scholarly journals COMPARISON ON VEGETATION COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF EXCLOSURES VS. OPEN GRAZING LANDS IN NORTHERN ETHIOPIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 70-99
Author(s):  
Samson Shimelse Jemaneh
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Grazing Lands

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.

Recovery of shrubland communities on abandoned farmland in southwestern Australia: soils, plants, birds and arthropods

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Arnold ◽  
M. Abensperg-Traun ◽  
R. J. Hobbs ◽  
D. E. Steven ◽  
L. Atkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Ecosystem Recovery ◽  
Farming History ◽  
Passive Recovery ◽  
Composition And Structure

Passive recovery of land formerly used for agricultural production may be an inexpensive and rapid method of ecosystem recovery, and may provide an alternative method to active revegetation. Passive recovery may also contribute to sustainable agriculture (soil salinity). For undisturbed and disturbed areas of the central wheatbelt of Western Australia, this paper reports the effects of farming history (clearing only, cultivation, duration of farming, and time since farming ceased) on the soil nutrient content, plant floristics (richness and composition) and structure, and the abundance, species richness and species composition of birds and arthropods. Only one site was cultivated for >6 years. We summarize as follows: (1) Previous clearing and cultivation has left no residual effects on the nitrogen or phosphorus content in the sandy soils. (2) There were no significant differences in terms of plant species richness but some differences in cover of woody plants, grass cover and plant species composition for farming history or time since farming ceased. (3) There were no significant differences in bird species richness but differences in species composition for time since farming ceased. (4) Arthropods showed few (and low) significant differences in their abundance, richness or species composition across different farming histories and time periods since farming ceased. Farming of these shrublands has left only minor changes in the composition and structure of the vegetation, and in the abundance, species richness and species composition of the passerine bird and arthropod assemblages. Abandoned parcels of land on the sandy soils which support shrubland may yield useful conservation benefits with relatively little input.

scholarly journals Floristic Diversity, Population Structure, Regeneration Status and Socio-Economic Importance of Fach Forest, South Gondar, Northwestern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haileab Zegeye
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Sacred Places ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Management Interventions

Abstract Background: The remaining natural forests of Ethiopia are only small patches mostly confined to inaccessible areas and sacred places. Fach forest is one of the remnant dry evergreen Afromontane forests (DAFs) in northwestern Ethiopia. There is lack of information on the vegetation ecology of the forest. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigate the floristic composition and diversity, population structure, regeneration status and socio-economic importance of Fach forest, and the anthropogenic factors affecting it.Methods: Vegetation data were collected from a total of 34 plots, measuring 20 m × 20 m (400 m2) each and established along line transects approximately at 100 m intervals. A general survey consisting of field observations, key-informant interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was used to collect socio-economic data. Results: A total of 230 vascular plant species belonging to 183 genera and 76 families were recorded from the study area, of which 45 (19.57%) were trees, 62 (26.97%) trees/shrubs, 37 (16.09%) shrubs, 13 (5.65%) woody climbers, 10 (4.35%) herbaceous climbers, and 63 (27.39%) herbs. The family with the highest number of species was Fabaceae (28 species, 12.17% of all species), followed by Asteraceae (18 species, 7.83%), Poaceae (13 species, 5.65%), and Acanthaceae and Euphorbiaceae (9 species each). The Shannon-Wiener diversity and evenness values of woody species were 3.53 and 0.72, and the total density and basal area 4938.24 individuals ha-1 and 19.17 m2 ha-1, respectively. The species with the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) value was Combretum molle (25.26%), followed by Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (21.19%), Dodonaea angustifolia (17.80%), and Calpurnia aurea (15.05%). The local communities were highly dependent on the forest for fuelwood, construction material, charcoal, timber and farm implements, as well as food (edible fruits), medicines, fodder, and bee forage. Fach forest is a protected area and contains sacred places, but at present it is dwindling mainly due to livestock grazing/browsing, tree cutting for various purposes, farmland expansion, rural settlements expansion, urbanization, fire incidences, and exotic species plantations at the expense of the natural forest, as well as soil erosion and climate change.Conclusions: Fach forest possesses high plant diversity and endemism. Woody species having low IVI values and poor regeneration status (as indicated by the Diameter at Breast Height [DBH] class distributions) need high priority for conservation. Fach forest has been maintained to the present-day through the combined indigenous (sacred grove) and modern (protected area system) conservation methods, but is now under increasing human pressure. Therefore, effective conservation and management interventions are urgently needed to ensure the long-term maintenance of the forest ecosystem, and benefit the local communities through sustainable utilization of the forest.

scholarly journals Altitudinal variation in plant community, population structure and carbon stock of Quercus semecarpifolia Sm. forest in Kumaun Himalaya

2022 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-146
Author(s):  
A. Fartyal ◽  
◽  
K. Khatri ◽  
K. Bargali ◽  
S.S. Bargali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Forest Stand ◽  
Altitudinal Variation ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Tree Layer ◽  
Quercus Semecarpifolia

Aim: To study the impact of altitudinal variation on plant community composition, structure, dispersion and regeneration status of Quercus semecarpifolia forest in Kumaun Himalaya. Methodology: Along the altitudinal gradient, the forest stands between 2400 and 2610 m asl were selected at low, mid and high altitude. The phyto-sociological analysis was carried by laying ten quadrats of 10m × 10m at each site. Soil samples were collected with the help of soil corer from two depths. Various ecological indices and population structure were investigated for each forest stand and regeneration status of forest was predicted by the population size of seedlings, saplings and trees. Tree biomass was estimated using allomatric equations and carbon stock was determined by multiplying biomass of species to factor 0.475. Results: With increasing altitude the number of tree species decreased and the shrub species richness increased, while herb species showed a unimodel pattern. Q. semecarpifolia was the dominant tree species at all the three sites with the IVI values of 220.14, 255.22 and 286.23 at LA, MA and HA, respectively. A complete absence of Q. semecarpifolia seedlings indicated no regeneration in low and high altitude stands while low proportion of seedlings in mid altitude forest stand indicated poor regeneration. Soil was acidic (pH 5.66-5.86), with higher silt content and showed decreasing pattern in physico-chemical properties with increasing altitude. The biomass of tree layer ranged from 871.49 to 1050.17 t ha-1. The tree layer carbon stock was maximum in high altitude forest (498.84 t ha-1) which was largely contributed by bole, stump roots and branches. Interpretation: Variation in species richness, distribution pattern and regeneration potential is related to site characteristics governed by altitude and require various efforts to conserve and protect these forests to check ecosystem imbalance.

scholarly journals Woody Species Diversity, Vegetation Structure, and Regeneration Status of the Moist Afromontane Forest of Agama in Southwestern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Abyot Dibaba ◽  
Teshome Soromessa ◽  
Alemayehu Kefalew ◽  
Admassu Addi
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Southwestern Ethiopia

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.

scholarly journals Impact of Exclosure on Species Diversity, Population Structure and Regeneration Status of Woody Plants in Lowland Northern Tigray, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Nuru Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Importance Value Index ◽  
Regeneration Status

Aim: This study was conducted to assessing woody plant composition, population structure and regeneration status in lowland exclosure (EX) of Northern Ethiopia. Study Design: Investigation of parameters was undertaken from 71 plots with size of 20 m x 10 m laid systematically along transect lines for vegetation data. These 200 m2 plots were used for assessment of trees with DBH >5 cm. Small quadrats of 4 m*4 m (16 m2) nested within the bigger plots was laid at the four corners and center of each plots. These were used for measuring seedling and sapling individuals. To analyze species diversity, population structure and regeneration status of woody plants were by computing abundance, density, basal area, Importance value index (IVI) and using Shannon-Weiner diversity and evenness indices. Results: According to vegetation survey result, a total of 23, 17 and 26 woody species were recorded, at Kara, Erba and Shektekli exclosures (EXs), respectively. While 8, 7 and 5 species of woody plant were in open grazing land (OGL). The total mean densities of all woody plants were found to be 1530, 1480 and 2999 individual’s ha-1 at Kara, Erba and Shektekli in EXs. Conclusion: The study suggested that the regional government have to considering EXs as useful for restoration or rehabitation strategy in the region, the vegetation in all the EXs in the study sites have a higher species composition, diversity, density, increment of basal area and regeneration woody plants than OGL, as a result of management differences in EXs. However, there are also variation on species composition, diversity, density increment of basal area and regeneration woody plants among exclosures having similar age and altitude for instance the species recorded in Erba site is lower than with other of EXs, This could be due to among local site characteristic variation and high grazing happen before Ex establishment exists. Therefore, we need to apply soil and water conservation, enrichment planting with indigenous tree species and strengthen local management institution in effectively protect the exclosure.

scholarly journals Floristic Diversity and Natural Regeneration Status of Entoto Mountain and the Surrounding Area in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ergua Atinafe ◽  
Ephrem Assefa ◽  
Birhanu Belay ◽  
Yemenzwork Endale ◽  
Talemos Seta
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Surrounding Area ◽  
Degraded Land ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Large Trees

The study was carried out at Entoto Mountain and its surrounding area, about 10 km north of the center of Addis Ababa. The purpose of this study was to assess the floristic composition and regeneration status of woody species and recommend further conservation methods. Ten transect lines were laid from south-north at 1 km interval. Along these transect lines, 62 sample plots of 400 m2 (20 m × 20 m) were laid at 1 km interval. A total of 179 plant species belonging to 107 genera and 60 families were recorded. Asteraceae (30 species) was the most dominant family. Of 179 plant species, 73 were naturally regenerated woody species representing 48 genera and 34 families. Herbs account for the largest growth form (91, 50.84%), indicating the fact that disturbance favors herb species. For the analysis of vegetation diversity, woody species composition, and density, the study area was classified into five land-use types. Of the five land-use types, degraded land-use type had low species diversity and evenness (1.48 and 0.295), and it had a low density of economically and ecologically important larger trees. However, the density of seedlings and saplings showed the normal regeneration status for the herbs and shrubs. Therefore, responsible stakeholders should give high priority for the conservation of ecologically and economically important large trees using appropriate conservation methods in the study area.

Regeneration Success and Plant Species Diversity of Allegheny Hardwood Stands After Roundup Application and Shelterwood Cutting

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 109-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen B. Horsley
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Plant Species Diversity ◽  
Herbaceous Species ◽  
Species Groups

Abstract The presence of desirable regeneration and plant species diversity was studied in five Allegheny hardwood stands before and for 7 yr after application of Roundup herbicide and shelterwood cutting to remove interfering understories of hayscented and New York fern, striped maple, and beech and to establish desirable hardwood regeneration. In each of five 20 ac stands, 10 ac were sprayed with 1 lb ai (active ingredient)/ac of Roundup in August 1979; the remaining 10 ac were unsprayed. The entire 20 ac stand received a shelterwood seed cut the following winter. On treated plots, fern was reduced from 57% stocking before treatment to 7% 1 yr after treatment; striped maple and beech stocking was reduced by 16% during the same time. By the fourth year after treatment, regeneration stocking of desirable hardwood species had doubled on treated plots but remained unchanged on untreated control plots. Species diversity was measured by species richness, three diversity indices--Berger-Parker, Margalef and Shannon, and index-free diversity ordering. Neither the herbicide treatment nor the shelterwood seed cut had a statistically significant effect on species richness of either woody species or herbaceous species groups. Nor was there a significant effect of treatments on woody species diversity as measured by the three diversity indices. Index-free diversity ordering showed. (1) a trend toward increase in less common species on Roundup-treated areas, and (2) the diversity of herbaceous species groups was higher in all 7 yr after treatment with Roundup. Values of the three diversity indices were higher for herbaceous species on Roundup-treated subplots for 2 to 7 yr after treatment. Much of this increase resulted from germination of seed bank grasses, sedges, and Rubus spp. With the qualification that long-term and current browsing by deer has impoverished the flora of the Allegheny hardwood forest, diminishing potential treatment effects, the study demonstrated that Roundup treatment aided desirable regeneration establishment, did not have a negative impact on woody species or herbaceous species group diversity, and may have increased diversity of herbaceous species. North. J. Appl. For. 11(4): 109-116.

Diversity, population structure and regeneration status of woody species in different habitats in Maun Educational Park, northern Botswana

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Keotshephile Kashe ◽  
Demel Teketay ◽  
Alison Heath ◽  
Mmusi Mmusi ◽  
Tumisang Mathope ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Regeneration Status
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