World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

DIVERSITY AND POPULATION STATUS OF GUM AND RESIN BEARING WOODY SPECIES IN GAMBELLA SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Semegnew Tadese*, Abiyot Mamo and Brhane Melese

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to investigate the population status of gum and resins bearing species in two selected districts, Jor and Lare; to identify gum and resin producing woody species in the study area and to determine the current population structure, regeneration status, density, frequency. Two kebeles were selected from both districts. A
total of 75quadrats (40 at Jor and 35 at Lare) were established along transects line. A 400 m2 quadrants were used, distance between quadrates and transecting lines were 300 m and 500 m respectively. Species diversity and evenness, density, frequency, important value and regeneration status were assessed. This study reveals total of 29 woody species representing 9 families and 17genera’s were found. About 11 woody species were encountered as gum and resin bearing species. The Genus of Acacia, Commiphora and Sterculia species were found to be the dominant gum and resin bearing species at the study districts. Economically important Gum-resin bearing species were the dominant vegetation types at study district, they represent species composition 36% and 23.8%, density ha-161% and 58 %, dominance m2 h-1 58.7% and 50.5% m2and IVI 55.2% and 50.2% at Jor and Lare, respectively. Diversity of the entire gum-resin bearing species was higher at Jor (H′ =3.23 and 1.52) than Lare (H′ =3.01 and 1.45).The diversity and abundance of the resource base suggest potential for development of gum-resins commercialization to enhance livelihoods and encourage sustainable management of the wood land at the study areas.

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