Woody Species Composition and Structure of the Gurra Farda Forest, Snnpr, South Wastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Deforestation have been taking place in Ethiopia for hundreds of years. The chief reasons given for reduction of the forest area are uncontrolled exploitation, shifting cultivation, forest fires and the expansion of permanently cultivated areas. So the assessment of these forests is the basis for meaningful planning to rationally utilize the remaining forest resources. Therefore, Woody species composition and structure of Gurra Farda forest was studied from November 2005 to September 2006. Thirty two sampling plots, each having sizes of 20 m X 20 m were laid in the forest based on their homogeneity. Diameter and height was measured for all trees and shrubs with DBH greater than 2 cm. Sixty six woody species belonging to 28 families were recorded in the forest. Moraceae was found to be the dominant family in the forest with 7 species comprising 10.6 % of the total species identified followed by Rubiaceae with 6 species or 9 % of the total woody species identified. From the identified plants five species were climbers, 32 shrubs and 29 trees. Tree density was 1373 individuals per hectare and the basal area was 90.6m2/ha. Most of the individuals were distributed in the lower DBH and height classes. Since this is forest is one of the remaining forests with wild populations of Coffea Arabica due attention has to be given to its conservation and sustainable utilization. Key phrases: Basal area, Diameter at Breast Height, Gurra Farda