International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research

Authors
Girma Gudesho, Zerihun Woldu

Abstract
Three Forest patches in Wombera district, Benshangul, Gumuz regional state, Ethiopia, were evaluated for vegetation structures along succession gradients. Three pioneer forest patches were selected, to study patch dynamics in species composition and structures along disturbance gradients. Along with altitude, transect lines were laid 300 meters apart; plots were laid every 150 meters along the transects. Cover-abundance, height, DBH of woody plant species, and landscape variables were recorded in 54 (20× 20) main quadrants. In five (5 m × 5m) in each quadrant, nested in the larger quadrates: shrubs, seedlings, and saplings were collected. In 1 m × 1 m quadrants nested in the 5 m × 5m quadrants herbs and grass species were collected. Frequency, density and abundance were calculated by using excel. Diversity, evenness and richness analyzed by R-software version 4.3 The IVI of a species signifies the sum of its relative density, relative frequency and relative dominance. Along with the vertical structure, the vegetation was stratified into lower, medium, and upper canopy layers. Lower canopy trees had the highest frequency, density, dominance, and IVI than middle and upper canopy trees respectively. Pioneers tress can grow and survive under poor soil.