Abstract:
The southwest Ethiopian Afromontane moist forests are home to a variety of plant species and
known as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. They are also the origin and domestication
centers for Arabica coffee. The main objective of this study was to investigate woody species
composition, diversity, regeneration status and socio-economic value of woody species under
natural forest and adjacent semi-coffee forest. This study conducted at Kebena Natural forest,
which is found in Jimma zone, Oromia regional state, and shared by four woredas (Kerssa,
Limu Kosa, Limu Seka, and Manna). Both vegetation and socioeconomic data collected in
April 2023. Systematic sampling method has applied to collect vegetation data. The forests
divided into natural forest and semi-coffee forest. Eight (four each) transect lines and a total
of 60 plots (30 plots in NF and 30plots SCF) with an area of 20x20 m at a distance of 300 m
between transect and 100m within the plots were established to collect the vegetation data.
Within the main plot, subplots of 10x10 and 5x5 m, were nested for saplings and seedlings
assessment, respectively. Based on the collected data, heterogeneity of the entire species were
determined using Shannon-Weiner diversity and Evenness indices. The current situation
about population status of NTFP woody species investigated by constructing population
structure of the whole vegetation in general, and NTFP bearing species in particular. The
results illustrate that 75 woody species representing 48 families were identified. Sixty-nine
(69) woody species from natural forest and 55 from semi-coffee forest. The two forest shares
high woody species or they had similar woody species composition the only significant
variation between two forests was seen in density of growth stage (seedling, and sapling,
stage. This study concluded: natural forests exhibited higher diversity and regeneration
capacity, semi-coffee forests showed alterations in population structure and species
composition influenced by coffee management practices. Natural forests displayed a more
vigorous regeneration capacity with higher densities of seedlings and saplings compared to
semi-coffee forests. The government and the concerned body should have to proposed a
strategy to aware the local community, and encourage the adoption of sustainable
management practices in semi-coffee forests to mitigate the negative impacts on woody
species regeneration and population structure.
