Abstract:
wing to the diversity in climate, topography, and vegetation; Ethiopia is
recognized as
a major center of
Biodiversity. The vegetation types of the country are highly diverse,
varying from Afro
-
alpine to Desert vegetation types. Even if the country is rich in
Biodiversity, its forest resources are being destroyed alarmingly by anthropogenic and
natural factor
s.
This study was conducted in the Juniperus dominated
A
fromontan
e
forest
in Beyeda district, Amhara Region, North west
highlands of
Ethiopia. The study aims to
determine woody species diversity, population
structure and regeneration status
along
the gradi
ents of disturbance
s. For vegetation
survey
the forest was stratified in to three
disturbance levels
(Less disturbed, Moderately disturbed, and highly disturbed forests)
.
The vegetation assessment followed a Systematic random sampling in which the first
sa
mpling plot was located randomly, and the subsequent plots laid systematically at
regular interval. Data were collected from
41 square
(
400m
2
)
main
sample
plots laid on
transects at regular interval of 200m between transects and 100m between plots. Species
diversity and evenness were computed using Shannon diversity and Evenness indices. The
similarities
along disturbances
were computed using Sorenson’s simi
larity index. Further
ANOVA
and MANOVA
w
ere
used to test differences among d
isturbance levels. A total of
24 woody species belonging to 20 families and 24
genera were
identified
. Species
Richness
,
Evenness
, density and basal area
of woody species decreased
as intensity of
disturbance increased.
T
he
re was no statistical difference in
overa
ll Shannon diversity
index
along
disturbance
levels
.
woody
species
density and Richness
along disturbance
were
differ
significantly at 95% confidence
interva
l
s
.
P
opulation
structure
showed
trends
of inverted ‘J’ shape pattern
along the gradients of disturbance
.
As a result of the above
mentioned facts disturbance has a negative effect on woody species parameters; but mild
disturbance has a positive effect
in facilitating
re
generation
.
In addition to the
se
environmental variables its own
has effect to change species parameters
So, attention
should be given
in formulating forest management plan and strategy to
limit the impact
of anthropogenic disturbance in the forest so as t
o sustained
the study
forest
