Floristic composition, structure and regeneration status of trees as affected by agro-climatic variation in the Bale mountains national park, South-eastern Ethiopia

The sub-moist mid highland zone of the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) supports significantly higher tree species richness, diameter at breast height (DBH), and density of seedlings, saplings, and mature trees compared to cooler or afro-alpine zones. This zone also exhibits greater basal area and stem density, indicating a more ecologically diverse and resilient community. The study, conducted across 144 sampling plots spanning three altitudinal gradients, used one-way ANOVA to compare floristic composition and structure among agro-climatic zones. Findings highlight the sub-moist mid highland as a critical area for biodiversity conservation, while the cold humid afro-alpine zone requires urgent ecological management due to its fragility. Human-induced factors are identified as key drivers of habitat degradation in this globally significant biodiversity hotspot.

Muhammed, A., & Elias, E. (2025). Floristic composition, structure and regeneration status of trees as affected by agro-climatic variation in the Bale mountains national park, South-eastern Ethiopia. BMC Ecology and Evolution, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-025-02426-3