Woody Species Composition, Diversity and Vegetation Structure of Dry Afromontane Forest, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in wanzaye natural forest, South Gondar, Ethiopia. The main objective of the study was to determine the species composition, diversity and vegetation structure analysis of wanzaye natural forest. A total of 75 quadrants or plots were used. Each sample plot covered an area of 400 m2 (20m x 20 m). For trees/ shrubs, all woody species with diameter at breast height (DBH) >2.5 cm and height >2 m were recorded in all plots. For the regeneration purpose, trees/shrubs species with diameter < 2.5 cm and height < 2 m also recorded. Diversity and richness were calculated using the Shannon- Wiener diversity index. All Woody species population was examined by estimating Frequency, relative Frequency, density, relative density and Dominance (basal area). Basal area was calculated using the cross-sectional area of a tree trunk measured at diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m height) Excel and STATISTICA version 10 software were used to analyse vegetation data. The result indicated that a total of 49 woody species belongs to 29 families were identified. The total basal area was 23.3 m2 ha-1. Number of individuals with (DBH) >2.5cm and height >2 m was 482 trees ha-1 and for the regeneration it was (2916 individuals ha-1). Based on Importance Value Index (IVI) Ficus sycomorus (56%) followed by Dodonaea viscosa (31%) and Croton macrostachys (19%) was recorded. The overall diameter frequency distribution of woody species show inverse J- shape.