Structure and Regeneration Status of Woody Plants in Jiga Bushe Forest, Jaldu District, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Ecological study was done on the structure and regeneration status of woody plants in Jiga Bushe Forest, Jaldu District, and Central Ethiopia. Data of woody plant species were collected using systematic sampling method by laying 9 transects and 50 quadrats each with 20 m x 20 m for trees. Inside the main quadrats, there are 5 m x 5 m sub-quadrats for shrubs, and 1 m x 1 m sub-quadrats for seedlings and saplings both for structural and regeneration status determination. Structural data like DBH, height, total density, basal area were analyzed in descriptive statistics. The result revealed that 64 woody plant species belong to 60 genera and 44 families were recorded. Trees had the highest composition followed by Shrubs and lianas. The largest species rich families were Fabaceae, followed by Rosaceae, Acanthaceae and Asteraceaea. Generally, both diameter and height class distributions of the population in the Jiga Bushe Forest exhibited inverted J-shape. The total density and basal area of woody plant species in the study area were 1,272 ha^-1 and 25.6 m² ha^-1 respectively. Analysis of the importance value index indicated that Olinia rochetiana had the highest value (17.69). Regeneration status of the forest based on the number of seedlings, saplings and mature trees were in good condition.