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Regeneration response of Vepris dainellii, an endemic species of Ethiopia to disturbance in moist forest ecosystem

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Abstract

Examining the regeneration response of species is one of the key ecological analyses vital to understanding and predicting the spatial structure of plant populations and designing specific management plans in the face of anthropogenic and climate change factors. Despite the ecological and traditional importance of Vepris dainellii species, little is known about the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on its natural regeneration patterns and recruitment structure. This study investigates the regeneration and recruitment response of Vepris dainellii and its correlation to disturbance particularly clear-cut in Sirso moist evergreen Afromontane forest, Ethiopia. By employing transect sampling technique, fifty sample plots (20 m × 20 m size) were laid in five transect lines for exploring V. dainellii species in Sirso moist evergreen Afromontane forest. In plots, where V. dainellii were found, vegetation data and stumped individuals (timber pieces resulting from the illegal cutting of trees) were recorded. Regeneration was recorded using sub-plots. Vepris dainellii is the first ranked woody species by recorded a higher number of bowdlerized stems. The regeneration of V. dainellii species was higher in disturbed sites compared to undisturbed sites. Besides, the regeneration of the species positively correlates with the intensity of clear-cuts or the number of stump individuals of the species (73.5%). Whereas, the species regeneration and forest canopy cover, altitude, slope and aspect were not correlated. Vepris dainellii is a disturbance resilient species with the presence of mother trees. Though, this study suggested detailed research on the threshold of clear-cut intensity and functional traits in response to disturbance in moist forest ecosystems.

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Acknowledgements

Our special thanks go to Dr. Tesfaye Awas, senior researcher and project coordinator in Forest and Rangeland Plant Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute for his unreserved assistance throughout our work. We are also grateful to Melokoza district administration for their assistance during data collection.

Funding

This work was supported by Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest and Rangeland Plant Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box, 30726, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Befkadu Mewded

  2. Hawassa Biodiversity Center, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Hawassa, Ethiopia

    Kedir Erbo

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  1. Befkadu Mewded
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  2. Kedir Erbo
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Correspondence to Befkadu Mewded.

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Mewded, B., Erbo, K. Regeneration response of Vepris dainellii, an endemic species of Ethiopia to disturbance in moist forest ecosystem. Trop Ecol 64, 511–518 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-022-00273-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-022-00273-7

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