Journal of Natural Sciences Research www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3186 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0921 (Online) Vol.8, No.5, 2018 16 Woody Species Diversity, Structure and Regeneration Status in Weiramba Forest of Amhara Region, Ethiopia: Implications of Managing Forests for Biodiversity Conservation Zelalem Teshager 1 * Mekuria Argaw 2 Abeje Eshete 1 1.Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box: 24536, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2.Center for Environmental Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box: 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Abstract This study was conducted in Weiramba Forest, with the aim of determining the composition, structure, diversity and regeneration status of the woody species found in the area. A systematic sampling method was used to conduct the vegetation sampling. In order to collect vegetation data a total of 40 quadrats, each with the size of 10 m x 20 m at an interval of 100 m, were laid along the established transects at 200 m apart. For the assessment of seedling and sapling, two sub-quadrats each with the size of 2 m x 5 m were established at opposite sides of the main quadrat. In each main plot, data on species abundance, height, and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of woody plant species and altitude, slope and aspect were recorded. Woody Species Diversity analysis was carried out by using Shannon Weiner index. Results revealed that the total of 32 species representing 28 genera and 20 families were recorded in the forest. The Shannon Weiner diversity index and evenness were resulted to be 2.30 and 0.66, respectively. The population structure revealed in diameter and height class frequency distribution was to be Bell- shape with a very high decrease towards the lower and higher diameter and height classes. The total basal area of the forest was 32.10 m 2 /ha. Results of population structure of woody plants and regeneration status analysis in the forest revealed that the Forest was dominated by small-sized trees and shrubs indicating that it is in the stage of secondary development and there is a need for conservation priority for species with poor regeneration status. From the point of view of managing forests for biodiversity conservation, the result suggested that the forest should be conserved and protected in a sustainable way for further biodiversity conservation. Keywords: Weiramba Forest, Diversity, Structure, Woody species Composition, Regeneration 1. INTRODUCTION Biodiversity of different ecosystems of the globe is not evenly distributed (Barthlott, 1998). Some regions of the world like that of tropics are relatively richer in biodiversity as compared to other places. Tropical dry forests form the largest component, more than 40 percent, of all tropical forests (Murphy and Lugo, 1986). In Africa, similarly dry forests account for 70-80% of the forested area. However, most of those countries of the tropics that are endowed with such huge biodiversity have poor economies, which is the major challenge to conserve their biodiversity. Ethiopia is one of the top 25 richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity (WCMC, 1994). Badege Bishaw (2001) also stated that Ethiopia is one of the few countries in Africa where virtually all major types of natural diversified vegetations are represented, ranging from thorny bushes, and tropical forests to mountain grasslands due to its wide variation in climate, topography, and soils. The flora of Ethiopia is very heterogeneous and has rich endemic taxa. The Ethiopian highlands contribute to more than 50 percent of the land area with Afromontane vegetation (Yalden, 1983; Bekele, 1994), of which dry forests form the largest part. Forest serves as a source of food, household energy, construction and agricultural material, tourism and recreation values and medicines for both people and livestock (Bekele, 1994; Vivero et al., 2005). Also, the forests worldwide are known to be critically important habitats in terms of the biological diversity they contain and in terms of the ecological functions they serve (SCBD, 2001). Although Forests have crucial ecosystem service in soil and biodiversity conservation and mitigation of climate change, they are being destroyed at an alarming rate largely due to human-related disturbances (Anonymous, 2009). Ethiopian People, particularly in the rural areas of the country, are highly dependent on forest resources to fulfill their basic needs such as fuelwood for cooking, heating, foliage for livestock, and timber for shelter and non-timber products for medicine. Environmental degradation and deforestation have been taking place for many years in the country. Especially during the last century, Ethiopia’s forest has been declining both in size (due to deforestation) and quality (due to degradation) (EFAP, 1994). The clear-felling accelerates the loss of seedlings and saplings as well as disturbs the natural condition of the natural forests and hence the ecosystem (Haque et al. 1988). Assessments on floristic composition, species diversity and structural analysis studies are essential for providing information on species richness of the forests, useful for forest management purpose and help in understanding forest ecology and ecosystem functions (Giriraj et al., 2008; Pappoe et al., 2010). Knowledge of floristic composition and structure of forest is also useful in identifying ecologically and economically important