STRUCTURE AND POTENTIAL REGENERATION OF DEGRADED SECONDARY STANDS IN MUNESSA-SHASHEMENE FOREST, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Girma A & Mosandl R. 2012. Structure and potential regeneration of degraded secondary stands in Munessa-Shashemene forest, Ethiopia. The dry afromontane forests in the Ethiopian highlands are being threatened by deforestation and forest degradation. A study was conducted in a dry afromontane forest of Munessa-Shashemene to evaluate the density and diversity of the forest. Due to harvesting of valuable trees many gaps are now present. The species composition and structure of the remaining secondary forest as well as the regeneration were analysed. A total of 25 forest stands in the neighbourhood of 25 gaps in an enrichment planting experiment were assessed. A plot of dimension 30 × 30 m was established in each stand. Diameter at breast height (dbh) and height of all trees with dbh > 2 cm were measured. Regeneration of woody plants was assessed in four subplots in each stand.
Thirty-six woody species were recorded in the mature stand, representing 35 genera and 30 families. Density of woody species was 734 stems ha^-1 and the total basal area was 9.5 m² ha^-1. Regeneration of trees and shrubs was 1,000 saplings and 31,600 seedlings ha^-1. Enrichment of valuable tree species with supplement plantings may be required to keep the valuable species as part of these forests.