This study provides a comprehensive ecological assessment of the floristic diversity, structural dynamics, and environmental interactions in the Meketeketa Afromontane forest. Systematic sampling was conducted using 74 main plots (20 × 20 m), each containing five 2 × 2 m subplots for seedlings and saplings, 1 × 1 m subplots for herbs, and composite soil samples for physicochemical analysis. In each plot, DBH, height, terrain, and disturbance were recorded, and cover was estimated using a modified Braun‐Blanquet scale; vegetation–environmental data were analyzed using clustering and ordination. A total of 74 plant species from 67 genera and 43 families were recorded, with Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae as the dominant families. Shrubs (37.84%) were the most abundant life form, followed by herbs (35.14%), trees (14.86%), and climbers (12.16%). Four distinct plant communities were identified, with overall diversity ( H ′ = 3.81) and evenness ( J = 0.88). The forest showed a multilayered canopy with a density of 667.57 individuals ha −1 and a basal area of 31.15 m 2 ha −1 , exhibiting good natural regeneration potential, characterized by an inverted J‐shaped frequency and DBH class distribution, with most species (52.08%) in the 1.1–5 IVI class. Altitude and soil properties (sand content, pH, and electrical conductivity) were the main drivers of species distribution and community structure, whereas disturbances (cutting and grazing) had secondary effects; conservation priority should focus on species with population structures (J‐, U‐, and irregular‐shaped), low IVI, and poor regeneration across species, community, and ecosystem levels.
Misganaw et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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