VEGETATION DESCRIPTION, STRUCTURE AND REGENERATION STATUS OF GONDOLA FOREST, MELKA BELLO WOREDA, EAST HARERGHE, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA

The study was conducted on Gondola Mountain forest in Melka Bello Woreda, East Harerghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, to determine the floristic composition, vegetation structure, species diversity, species richness, dominance and regeneration status of woody species. Vegetation data were gathered from 50 quadrats of 20 m x 20 m (400 m2) laid systematically along 5 transects. In each quadrat, live woody species were recorded with their number counted and DBH measured for those with DBH>2cm. Voucher specimens of species were collected and identified in Haramaya University Herbarium using literature and experts. Quantitative data such as Shannon-Weiner diversity index, evenness, density, basal area and important value index were computed. Species density was also seen in ten DBH classes to visualize regeneration status and DBH of the vegetation in the study area. Results showed that a total of 60 woody plants belonging to 50 genera and 32 families were identified. Fabaceae and Asteraceae are the dominant families in terms of species richness. Overall average Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H`) was 3.76 and the average evenness value (E’) was 0.92 indicating high diversity with less even distribution. Woody species densities for mature individuals were 1046 stems ha-1, 533 stems ha-1 for saplings and 803 stems ha-1 for seedlings. Analysis of the regeneration status of this forest indicated that saplings and seedlings were less when compared with matured trees / shrubs, suggesting fair regeneration status that should be maintained