Woody plant Regeneration status and Conservation challenges of Gamataja Community forest, in Goba district, Bale zone, Oromia regional state, south east of Ethiopia

Woody plant Regeneration Status and Conservation challenges of Gamataja Community forest was studied in Goba district, Southeast of Ethiopia. The community forest is owned by three villages namely Gamma, Shifario and Lashkona which are collectively named as Ititusura kebele, which was purposefully selected due to the presence of high conservation challenges. The systematic sampling method was used to collect vegetation data. The regeneration status data were collected within 31 plots sized 20x20m for mature tree assessment and (5m*5m) for both Sapling and seedling. The woody plant regeneration status data were analyzed. The conservation challenge data were collected using questioners, interviews and focus group discussion. Discopodium penninervum, Nuxia congesta, Helichrysum citrispinum had list number of seedling. The rest Crotalaria agatiflora subsp. erlangeri, Solanum incanum and Rosa abyssincia were the plant species with non-regeneration status. Erica arborea, Ritchiea albersii was the plant species with new regeneration status. Podocarpus falcatus, Prunus africanas were the plant species with poor regeneration status and the rest Hypericum revolutum had fair regeneration status. Firewood collection, House making, settlement, lack of coordination between stakeholders were the main conservation challenges in the Gamataja community forest. To enhance the regeneration status and limit conservation challenges all stake holders need to work in collaboration. Therefore based on the result of this study, recommended the detail regenerating studies of forest analysis and various environmental factors such as soil type and properties. 5<br>