DIVERSITY OF PLANT SPECIES IN GODERE FOREST, SOUTH-WESTERN ETHIOPIA: IMPLICATION FOR IN-SITU CONSERVATION

Understanding of diversity of plants along elevation gradient is vital for designing conservation strategy pertinent to identified species. The study was conducted in Godere Forest using systematic sampling method for vegetation and environmental data collected in 80 sample plots 40m X 40m stretched between 1994 -2220 m a.s.l. A total of 118 plant species were identified and categorized into 54 families and 107 genera. Three plant communities were identified using hierarchical agglomerative classification method along the elevation gradient: Dicrocephala chrysanthemifolia-Ochna holistii, Achanthus eminens-Allopylus macrobotrys and Galinieria saxifraga- Rungia grandis respectively. Results showed the species in communities exhibited higher Beta-diversity and evenness than within the plot size observation. The index for Beta-diversity in the communities increased with elevation gradient while it showed decreasing trend for species richness. Elevation was found the most constraining environmental factor for species diversity at community level which is linear and inversely correlated; while as phosphorous and organic matter were in sample plots. The dominance of herbaceous species have impact on biodiversity of tree and shrubs in Godere forest with an implication for in-situ conservation of tree species with high important value index for increasing their ecological significance by reducing the impact of human interference.