Vegetation composition and structure of the Belete Forest, Jimma Zone, South Western Ethiopia

Woody species composition and structure of the Belete forest was studied from December 2005 to September 2006. Thirty two sampling plots, each having a size of 20 m X 20 m, were laid at every 50m altitudinal gradient. 74 woody species belonging to 68 genera and 38 families were recorded in the forest. Thirty two (40.5%) of the species were trees, 39 (49.4%) shrubs and the remaining 8 (10.1%) species were climbers. Podocarpus falcatus was the only Gymnosperm identified from the forest and all the rest were Angiosperms. Diameter and height was measured for all trees and shrubs with DBH greater than 2 cm. Tree density was 1482 individuals per hectare and the basal area was 90.6m 2 /ha. Most of the individuals were distributed in the lower DBH and height classes. Four general patterns of population structure were recognized. Keywords/phrases: Basal Area, Belete Forest, Diameter at Breast Height, Species Composition Ethiop. J. Biol. Sci ., 7(1): 1-15, 2008