Woody species diversity, floristic composition, vegetation structure, and environmental associations in Getete dry afromontane forest, Central Ethiopia

Ethiopia harbors high biodiversity, but increasing anthropogenic pressures threaten its forest ecosystems. However, information on woody plant diversity, regeneration, and environmental relationships remains limited in many forest patches. This study was conducted in Getete Natural Forest, central Ethiopia, to assess woody plant composition, diversity, regeneration, endemic species, and associated environmental factors and threats. Five transects, spaced 400 m apart, and were systematically established from the upper to the lower slope. A total of 48 plots, each measuring 20 × 20 m, were positioned at 100-meter intervals along transects. Data were collected on species abundance, cover, diameter at breast height, height, and various environmental variables. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H), evenness (J), density, frequency, and importance value index (IVI) were analyzed using R statistical packages. Fifty-seven woody plant species were recorded, belonging to 53 genera and 36 families. The families Lamiaceae, Rubiaceae, Oleaceae, Myrtaceae, Fabaceae, Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae, and Solanaceae were equally represented, with each having 3 species (5.26%). Among these plant species, 5.26% were identified as endemic, while 3.51% were classified as near-endemic to Ethiopia. The diversity and evenness of woody species in Getete Forest were 3.34 and 0.83, respectively. The total density of woody plant species with DBH ≥ 2 cm was 1839.06 individuals ha⁻¹, and the DBH of the vegetation formed an inverted “J” shape. Altitude and aspect were significantly associated ( p < 0.05) with variation in species composition. The forest supports diverse indigenous and endemic woody plants, but is subject to anthropogenic pressures, like grazing, agricultural expansion, and tree cutting. These findings highlight the need for coordinated conservation actions involving government institutions, local communities, forest protection personnel, and other stakeholders to reduce anthropogenic threats, strengthen forest protection and monitoring, conserve biodiversity, and promote the sustainable use of forest resources.