This study was conducted in the Ades forest of Western Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia, to analyze the woody vegetation structure, diversity, and regeneration across three slope gradients: lower slope class (LSC: <10%), middle slope class (MSC: 10-20%), and upper slope class (USC: 20-30%). A total of 60 main plots (20 m × 20 m) were randomly sampled, with sub-plots designated for shrub, climber, and herbaceous species. Results showed significant (P < 0.05) effects of slope classes on woody species richness, diversity, evenness, and density. The study identified 65 woody species across 50 families, including 35 trees (53.85%), 26 shrubs (40%), and 4 climbers (6.15%). The average woody species density was 975.8 ha?¹, highest in USC (1251.25 ha?¹), followed by MSC (928.75 ha?¹) and LSC (747.5 ha?¹). Dominant species included Juniperus procera, Podocarpus falcatus, and Cupressus lucitanica. Species frequency decreased with increasing diameter classes, and total basal area varied by slope: 8286.83 m² in LSC, 10908.51 m² in MSC, and 10026.22 m² in USC. Regeneration status was poor, with average density of 117.9 ha?¹ for seedlings (8.6%), 282.9 ha?¹ for saplings (20.5%), and 975.8 ha?¹ for mature trees (70.9%). LSC had 106.3 ha?¹ seedlings and 120 ha?¹ saplings, while MSC had 358 ha?¹ seedlings and 286 ha?¹ saplings, and USC had 747.5 ha?¹ seedlings and 928.8 ha?¹ saplings. Herbaceous dry biomass yield and basal cover were also affected by slope gradient, with LSC showing higher yields (1.22 ton ha?¹) and cover (75.95%) as compared to MSC (1.09 ton ha?¹ dry biomass yield and 66.55% basal cover ) and USC (1.03 ton ha?¹ dry biomass yield and 64.35% basal cover). Overall, increasing slope gradient positively influenced woody species diversity but negatively impacted herbaceous biomass yield and basal cover. Human and livestock interventions pose significant challenges to vegetation structure. Effective ecological, socio-economic, and policy measures are recommended for sustainable forest management.
Slope Gradient, Density, Species Richness, Herbaceous, Biomass Production and Basal Cover.
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