Abstract
Quantifying woody species diversity is essential for managing anthropogenically modified landscapes in the Ethiopian highlands. This study evaluated the floristic composition and structural diversity of woody plant species at Haramaya University, Eastern Ethiopia. Vegetation data were collected from 16 quadrats (1600 m 2 ) across two distinct managed zones: the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (Site A) and the Haramaya University Model School (Site B). A total of 569 individuals representing 29 unique woody species were identified. Site B recorded a higher Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index ( H ′ = 2.78) and an Evenness Index ( J ′ = 0.928). In contrast, Site A exhibited lower diversity ( H ′ = 2.31) and an Evenness Index ( J ′ = 0.815) and a significantly higher Simpson’s Dominance Index ( D = 0.1465), which was double that of Site B ( D = 0.0752). An independent sample t ‐test performed on per‐plot diversity values confirmed that the higher structural diversity in Site B was statistically significant (t(14) = 2.45, p = 0.028). Celtis africana emerged as a major structural driver across both sites, reaching a relative density of 29.7% and a modified two‐component Importance Value Index (IVI) of 35.80% in Site A. A Jaccard Similarity Index of 27.59% indicated high beta‐diversity between the study sites, heavily influenced by the uneven introduction of exotic species. Notably, Lantana camara (IVI = 33.7%) and Jacaranda mimosifolia (IVI = 19.5%) have established substantial ecological presence, while indigenous target timber species such as Podocarpus falcatus (5.5%) and Juniperus procera (12%) exhibited lower IVIs. These findings indicate that the campus is transitioning toward a “novel ecosystem” structure. Strategic management, including the targeted suppression of invasive species and enrichment planting of native hardwoods such as Hagenia abyssinica , is recommended to maintain the historical Afromontane character of the landscape.
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Claims 16
Claim · model-written summary
A total of 569 individuals representing 29 unique woody species were identified in 16 quadrats at Haramaya University.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“A total of 569 individuals representing 29 unique woody species were identified”
Claim · model-written summary
Site B (Model School) had a higher Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′ = 2.78).
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“Site B recorded a higher Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index ( H ′ = 2.78) and an Evenness Index ( J ′ = 0.928)”
Claim · model-written summary
Site B had an evenness index of J′ = 0.928.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“Site B recorded a higher Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index ( H ′ = 2.78) and an Evenness Index ( J ′ = 0.928)”
Claim · model-written summary
Site A (College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) showed lower diversity (H′ = 2.31).
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“Site A exhibited lower diversity ( H ′ = 2.31) and an Evenness Index ( J ′ = 0.815)”
Claim · model-written summary
Site A had an evenness index of J′ = 0.815.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“Site A exhibited lower diversity ( H ′ = 2.31) and an Evenness Index ( J ′ = 0.815)”
Claim · model-written summary
Site A had a significantly higher Simpson dominance index (D = 0.1465), double that of Site B (D = 0.0752).
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“Site A exhibited lower diversity ( H ′ = 2.31) and an Evenness Index ( J ′ = 0.815) and a significantly higher Simpson’s Dominance Index ( D = 0.1465), which was double that of Site B ( D = 0.0752)”
Claim · model-written summary
An independent-sample t-test on per-plot values showed the higher structural diversity at Site B was statistically significant (t(14) = 2.45, p = 0.028).
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“the higher structural diversity in Site B was statistically significant (t(14) = 2.45, p = 0.028)”
Claim · model-written summary
Celtis africana was a major structural driver across both sites, with a relative density of 29.7%.
- Taxon
- Celtis africana
Celtis africanae0 - Outcome
- relative densitye0
- Value
- 29.7%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“Celtis africana emerged as a major structural driver across both sites, reaching a relative density of 29.7%”
Claim · model-written summary
Celtis africana had a modified two-component Importance Value Index of 35.80% in Site A.
- Taxon
- Celtis africanaCeltis africanae1
- Outcome
- Importance Value Index (IVI)e0
- Value
- 35.80%e0
- Setting
- Site Ae0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e1“Celtis africana emerged as a major structural driver across both sites”
e0“Importance Value Index (IVI) of 35.80% in Site A”
Claim · model-written summary
A Jaccard similarity index of 27.59% indicated high beta-diversity between the two study sites.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“A Jaccard Similarity Index of 27.59% indicated high beta-diversity between the study sites”
Claim · model-written summary
Lantana camara (IVI = 33.7%) has established substantial ecological presence.
- Taxon
- Lantana camara
_mit_Insekt.jpg?width=60)
Lantana camarae0 - Outcome
- substantial ecological presencee0
- Value
- 33.7%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_mit_Insekt.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“Notably, Lantana camara (IVI = 33.7%) and Jacaranda mimosifolia (IVI = 19.5%) have established substantial ecological presence”
Claim · model-written summary
Jacaranda mimosifolia (IVI = 19.5%) has established substantial ecological presence.
- Taxon
- Jacaranda mimosifolia
Jacaranda mimosifoliae0 - Outcome
- substantial ecological presencee0
- Value
- 19.5%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“Notably, Lantana camara (IVI = 33.7%) and Jacaranda mimosifolia (IVI = 19.5%) have established substantial ecological presence”
Claim · model-written summary
Podocarpus falcatus, an indigenous target timber species, had a low importance value index (5.5%).
- Taxon
- Podocarpus falcatus
Afrocarpus falcatuse0 - Outcome
- lower IVIse0
- Direction
- lowere0
- Value
- 5.5%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“indigenous target timber species such as Podocarpus falcatus (5.5%) and Juniperus procera (12%) exhibited lower IVIs”
Claim · model-written summary
Juniperus procera, an indigenous target timber species, had a low importance value index (12%).
- Taxon
- Juniperus procera
Juniperus procerae0 - Outcome
- lower IVIse0
- Direction
- lowere0
- Value
- 12%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“indigenous target timber species such as Podocarpus falcatus (5.5%) and Juniperus procera (12%) exhibited lower IVIs”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors conclude that the campus is transitioning toward a novel ecosystem structure.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“the campus is transitioning toward a “novel ecosystem” structure”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors recommend targeted suppression of invasive species and enrichment planting of native hardwoods to maintain the Afromontane character.
Verbatim
t0“Woody Plant Species”
e0“Strategic management, including the targeted suppression of invasive species and enrichment planting of native hardwoods”