Ecological study and forest degradation of the sacred Waldiba Monastery’s dry woodland

Abstract

Abstract Anthropogenic disturbance put the woodlands in the monasteries and churches under significant threat. To study the floristic composition and forest degradation of Waldiba monastery dry woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia, 30 plots were established along transect lines. We recorded 39 native woody species (33 trees, 5 shrubs and 1 liana) belonging to 19 families. Shannon diversity index, Simpson similarity index, evenness and dominance were 3.10, 0.94, 0.58 and 0.06, respectively. The densities of woody species were 922 stems ha-1 with a total basal area of 49.27 m2 ha-1. The tree species with higher IVI value were Dichrostachys cinerea (86.04%), Combretum fragrans (71.87%), Combretum hartmannianum (60.30%) and Combretum sp. (50.15%). The population structure of the woody species demonstrated various patterns. The regeneration status was not promising for vast majority of the species. Vachellia venosa and C. hartmannianum respectively are listed as endangered and vulnerable species in the IUCN red list species category. Waldiba dry woodland has undergone significant cover changes over a period of 46 years. Waldiba has lost much (65%) of its dense forest and open forest (44%) mainly due to anthropogenic disturbance. The woodland with all its biodiversity is under threat. The species with low IVI, species listed in IUCN red list and those species with none to poor regeneration status should be prioritized for in situ and ex situ conservation intervention to avert the threat. Research on reproductive ecology of the threatened endemic species is imperative, as the woodland should be managed for ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation.