FLORISTIC COMPOSITION AND VEGETATION STRUCTURE OF ABO WONSHO FOREST IN WONSHO DISTRICT, SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA

ABSTACT The Abo Wonsho Forest, which is situated in the southern Ethiopian region of Sidama in the Wonsho area, was the subject of this investigation. Determining the floristic composition, species richness, vegetation pattern, and regeneration state of the plant species present in the forest was the study's main goal. The data on vegetation was gathered using the systematic sampling technique. Line transects emanating from the various directions of Abo Wonsho Forest were used to create 58 quadrants, or plots, each measuring 400 m2 for woody species and subplots of 1 m X 1 m within the main plots for herbaceous plants. Each quadrat (plot) was separated from the others by 200 meters using the transect lines. To facilitate seedling counting, the main quadrats were subdivided into subplots measuring 10 m X 10 m (100 m2). Every species of vascular plant was gathered from each of these quadrats and delivered to NHE for identification. In addition, each quadrat's position and altitude were noted, along with vegetation data like DBH, height, and the density of seedlings and saplings of woody species. The software tools PAST 4.03 and Microsoft Excel were used to classify the vegetation. In order to calculate species richness and evenness of plant communities, as well as to find commonalities between communities, the Shannon Wiener diversity index was also employed. From the area, 150 species in 111 genera and 56 families were recognized. Four plant communities were found and described in this study. The forest was mostly covered in huge trees and plants, which suggests that it is currently undergoing regeneration. Research on the forest's structure and regrowth has shown that certain species need immediate protection. Thus, it is recommended to carry out in-depth ecological research on the different environmental factors, such as soil type and properties, ethnobotanical research on the knowledge of indigenous peoples regarding the uses of various plants, careful management and monitoring in addition to biodiversity maintenance, in order to support the sustainable use of the forest and its products.