WOODY SPECIES DIVERSITY, SOCIOECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICE IN HONKOSHA NATURAL FOREST, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Forests provide ecological, economic, and socio-cultural services to both natural systems and humankind. The research was conducted in the Honkosha natural forest to evaluate its condition as a natural ecosystem and assess its contributions to the local community. The objective of the study was to identify the diversity of woody plant species and analyze the floristic composition within this environment. 60 sample quadrats with size 20m x 20m, 5m x 5m (at center), and 1m x 1m (at corner of the main plots were established along transect lines for measuring mature trees, saplings, and seedlings, respectively. Data for vegetation sampling were recorded and analyzed using R Software. Measurements for height and diameter at breast height (DBH) were conducted for woody plant species with diameters less than 1 cm and heights under 1 m for seedlings, as well as for saplings with diameters between 1-2 cm and heights between 1-2 m, using a meter-marked ruler and measuring tape. The study identified a total of 71 woody plant species across 34 families and 58 genera. Among these, 30 species (42.25%) were classified as shrubs, 28 (39.44%) as trees, 8 (11.27%) as herbs, and 5 (7.04%) as climbers. The Fabaceae family was found to be the most dominant, represented by 14 species (75%), followed by Verbenaceae and Oleaceae, each with four species (6.56%). The DPH class of 2.5-10 cm exhibited the highest density at 426 individuals (40.53%), while the class greater than 50 cm showed the lowest density with 244 individuals. Touchardia sadwieenees emerged as the most prevalent species in the forest, with a basal area of 3.3. In total, 790 mature individuals and a considerable number of seedlings of woody plants were documented in the sample plots. The Shannon diversity index for woody plant species in the forest was recorded at 0.26, and the elements at 0.14, indicating a relatively high level of diversity. Overall, the study concluded that the forest is in a healthy condition. However, an analysis of regeneration status at the species level indicated variations, with some woody plants exhibiting good, fair, or poor regeneration, and some not regenerating at all. This prompted the introduction of a participatory forest management program aimed at sustainably utilizing and managing forest resources.