Population Structure and Regeneration Status of Woody Species in Kenech Forest, Southwest Ethiopia

Understanding the structural pattern and regeneration status of tree species is an important measure taken to assess vegetation dynamics their destruction factors as well management history ecology forest. This study was conducted with objective diversity, structure, woody in Kenech natural forest, Ethiopia. Systematic random sampling method employed a design for collection data. Accordingly, 40 plots 20 m × were laid at every 100 along four parallel transect lines following altitudinal gradient. Any trees shrubs diameter breast height (DBH) ≥2.5 cm measured 1.5 from ground. In each sample plots, all seedling, sapling, mature counted recorded. A total 80 plant categorized into 67 genera 28 families recorded identified, description analysis structure. Structural forest revealed density 840 stems/ha basal area 56.8 m2/ha. About 80.36% individuals are found first two classes (2.5–10 10–20 cm). The general DBH class distribution inverted J shape indicating presence high lower than higher. most dominant relatively highest importance values Pouteria adolfi-friedericii, Podocarpus falcatus, Celtis africana, Mimusops kummel, Pyschotria orophila, Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa. Forty-two (64.61%) represented by both seedling sapling class, whereas 9 (13.84%) not regenerating.