Abstract:
Ethiopia is a country with a highly diversified climatic condition and topography which result in
a wide range of habitats and vegetation types. This study was conducted on Kabo lake natural
forest, Mengeshi District, Majang Zone, Gambella Regional states, southwest Ethiopia to
determine floristic composition, diversity and structural analysis of the forest. Systematic
sampling method was used to collect vegetation data from 40 plots (20m x 20m) for trees and
shrubs. Structural parameters were analyzed by SPSS version 20. All the trees and shrubs with
DBH>2.5cm and height ≥2 m were measured for height and diameter. Shannon - Wiener
diversity index was applied to quantify species diversity and richness. Importance value index
(IVI) for woody species was determined by summing relative density, relative dominance and
relative frequency. A total of 41 woody species belonging to 35 genera and 21 families were
recorded from Kabo lake natural forest. Of all the species recorded 28 (68.29%) were trees, 12
(29.27%) shrubs, and 1 (2.44%) woody climber. The most characteristics families dominating
the area are Fabaceae by 4 (11.43%) genera and 5 (12.19%) species, Moraceae by 3 (8.57%)
genera and 5 (12.19%) species. Ulmaceae contained 1 (2.85 %) genera and 2 (4.88%) species.
The overall Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H`) and the evenness values for the entire forest
were 2.77 and 0.75, respectively. The density of woody species in the forest decreases with
increasing height and DBH classes. It has a density of 590.43 stems/ ha and a total basal area
of 59.90 m2/ ha. The forest is characterized by high density of trees in the DBH <10 than in DBH
> 70 Cm. The current study focused only on woody species. To have a complete set of
information about the forest and to design a sustainable conservation strategy, further study on
all aspects of the forest were recommended.
