Tree species composition, structure and regeneration status in Munessa natural forest, Southeastern Ethiopia

2020

Preprint

BackgroundBale mountains national park (BMNP) is one of the 34 International Biodiversity Hotspots that comprise a variety of life forms. However, it faces a critical challenge from subsistence farming and overgrazing. This study was made to analyze the effects of landscape change on floristic composition, diversity, and structure in BMNP. The vegetation and environmental data were collected from 96 plots that were laid along 8 line transects. Vegetation hierarchical clustering and landscape structural analysis was made using R software version 3.5.2 and FRAGSTATS version 4.2.1, respectively. ResultsA total of 205 species that belongs to 153 genera and 71 families were identified. The overall Shannon diversity and evenness index was 4.34 and 0.81, respectively. Both the species richness and Shannon diversity index were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the edge habitat (40 ± 0.2 and 2.93 ± 0.2, respectively) than the interior (25 ± 4.5 and 2.43 ± 0.4, respectively). Conversely, the basal area was lower in the interior habitat (173.79 m2 ha-1) than the edge (64.15 m2 ha-1). Moreover, as AREA_MN and COA of patches increases, species richness, diversity, evenness, woody species density, basal area, DBH, and height also increases. Whereas, as PN, SHAPE_MN, ED, ENN_MN, and IJI of patches increases, those floristic compositions and structural variables decrease. ConclusionThis study revealed that BMNP is a biologically diverse and ecologically significant area that provides a variety of ecological and economic benefits to the surrounding communities and the country at large. However, its landscape is changing alarmingly and urgent restoration and conservation action needs to be taken to reverse this condition.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

WITHDRAWN: Effects of Landscape Change on Floristic Composition and Structure in the Bale Mountains National Park, Southeastern Ethiopia

Muhammed¹,

2020

Preprint

“…The overall Shannon diversity and evenness index of the study area were 4.34 and 0.81, respectively. This was higher relative to other similar areas such as Bonga forest (Senbeta et al 2014), Agama forest (Dibaba et al 2020), and Munessa forest (Ahmedin and Elias 2020). Conversely, the total density of seedlings, saplings, and mature trees in the BMNP were 8751, 4413, and 1567 individuals ha -1 , respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…Tropical montane ecosystems are one of the hot spot ecosystems on earth that comprises more than 200,000 species of owering plants (Aliyi et al 2015;Vergara-Rodríguez et al 2017). The Ethiopian highland, which is located in the tropical region, encompasses over 50% of the Afromontane vegetation in African (Ahmedin and Elias 2020). A suitable geographical position, a wide range of altitude, a high amount of rainfall, and a wide range of temperature variations equip the area with huge ecological diversity and a wealth of biological resources (Yimer 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

WITHDRAWN: The Effects of Landscape Change on Plant Diversity and Structure in the Bale Mountains National Park, Southeastern Ethiopia

Muhammed¹,

2020

Preprint

Background: This study aimed to determine the effects of landscape change on floristic composition, diversity, and structure in the Bale mountains national park, which faces a critical challenge from anthropogenic factors. The park is one of the 34 International Biodiversity Hotspots that comprise a variety of life forms. The vegetation data were collected systematically from 96 sample plots laid along 24 line transects. Vegetation composition and landscape structural analysis were made using R software version 3.5.2 and FRAGSTATS version 4.2.1, respectively.Results: Patch number was strong and positively affected species richness (r = -0.90, p < 0.05) and Shannon diversity index (r = -0.96, p < 0.01), and basal area (r = -0.96, p < 0.001), whereas mean patch size was strong and positively influenced species richness (r = 0.95, p < 0.05), diversity (r = 0.87, p < 0.05), and basal area (r = 0.82, p < 0.05). The overall species richness, Shannon diversity index, and Margalef index were significantly higher in the edge habitat than the interior at p < 0.05. However, the mean basal area of woody species in the interior habitat (11.16 ± 1.82 m2 ha-1) was significantly higher than the edge (3.99 ± 0.54 m2 ha-1) at p < 0.05.Conclusion: This study revealed that the park was a biologically diverse and ecologically significant area that provides a variety of ecological and economic benefits to the surrounding communities. Though its habitats are changing alarmingly and urgent restoration and conservation action need to be taken to reverse this situation.

“…is indicated that the study area was more diverse compared to other similar vegetation areas including Bonga forest [44], Agama forest [45], and Munessa forest [13]. Conversely, the total density of seedlings, saplings, and mature trees in the study area was 8751, 4413, and 1567 individuals ha −1 , respectively.…”

Section: Overall Floristic Composition and Structurementioning

confidence: 81%

“…Tropical montane ecosystem is one of the hot spot ecosystems on Earth that comprises more than 200,000 species of flowering plants [11,12]. e Ethiopian highland, which is located in the tropical region, encompasses over 50% of the Afromontane vegetation in Africa [13]. A suitable geographical position, a wide range of altitude, a high amount of rainfall, and a wide range of temperature variations equip the area with huge ecological diversity and a wealth of biological resources [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Landscape Change on Plant Diversity and Structure in the Bale Mountains National Park, Southeastern Ethiopia

Muhammed

International Journal of Ecology

2021

Bale Mountains National Park is one of the protected areas in Ethiopia that holds the largest area of Afroalpine habitat in Africa and the second largest stand of moist tropical forest. Nevertheless, human settlements, overgrazing, and recurrent fire are the main problems in the park. This study aimed to determine the effects of human-induced landscape change in floristic composition and structure in the park. The vegetation data were collected systematically from 96 sample plots laid along 24 line transects in the edge and interior habitats of the six land cover types. Vegetation composition and landscape structural analysis were made using R software version 3.5.2 and FRAGSTATS version 4.2.1, respectively. Patch number was strong and positively affected species richness (r = −0.90, p < 0.05 ), diversity (r = −0.96, p < 0.01 ), and basal area (r = −0.96, p < 0.001 ), whereas mean patch size was strong and negatively influenced species richness (r = 0.95, p < 0.05 ), diversity (r = 0.87, p < 0.05 ), and basal area (r = 0.82, p < 0.05 ). The overall species richness, Shannon diversity index, and Margalef index were significantly higher in the edge habitat; however, the mean basal area of woody species was significantly higher in the interior habitat at p < 0.05 . This study uncovered that the park is floristically rich and diverse, and it provides a variety of ecological and economic benefits to the surrounding community and to the nation at large. However, these benefits are gradually declining due to the high level of anthropogenic activities in the park. Thus, integrated environmental management strategy that blends with sustainable use of natural resources should be implemented to minimize the threats.