Abstract:
The dry Afromonatane natural forests of East and West Hararghe are under severe degradation.
There are some remnant mountain forests in West Hararghe, which are under increasing
anthropogenic threats and call up urgent conservation actions. This study was conducted at Hades
dry Afromontane natural forest, West Hararghe zone of Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia with the
objective of determining the woody species composition along altitudinal gradients and conservation
status. The data generated could contribute in planning proper strategies for conservation action at
the local level. The woody species data were collected using stratified sampling techniques from
three different altitudinal gradients along the vertical transects established from top to the bottom of
the mountain. Qualitative data analysis of informants were collected on the basis of quality like sex,
cavity. Findings were tabulated and presented by text and quantities analyzed using descriptive
statistic. The data of vegetation attributes were measured using thirty quadrant six 25mx25m
quadrat sizes for trees and nested plot of 5m x 5m for shrub plant species. Three altitudinal
gradients of the mountain forests were used i.e. 1600-2200, 2200 – 2800, and above 2800 m a.s.l..
Diameter at breast height and density of all woody species were measured. A total of 38 woody
plant species belonging to 28 genera and 29 families were recorded and identified. The collected
specimens were composed of 50 % of tree and 50 % shrubs. Rosaceae family had the highest
number of taxa followed by Myricaceae, Meliaceae and Asteraceae families. Some dominant plant
species recorded in area were indigenous like podocarpus falcatus and Lippia adoensis. The
Shannon diversity index of Hades natural forest were recorded from higher (1.83), medium (2.172)
and lower altitudinal gradient (1.253), respectively. The evenness value at the three-altitudinal
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gradients was 0.398, 0.433 and 0.256. Due to local practice of the study area most people live in
rural area depends on woody plants for wide range mainly for food, medicine, local construction,
fire wood collection as a result most plant sp decline from time to time
