Woody Plant Species Diversity and Community Types Along Environmental Gradients in Damota Forest Patches in Melokoza District, South Ethiopia

Forests are dynamic systems, where structure, composition, and ecological function emerge from the complex interplay of altitude, soil, and biological interactions. Although the forests in the region are central to biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods, they remain poorly documented, especially in terms of ecological community structure. To address this gap, we classified the forest’s woody plant communities and identified the environmental gradients that govern their distribution. Vegetation data were collected from 120 systematically arranged 20 m × 20 m quadrats placed along five transects. Species composition, abundance, and cover were quantified and analyzed using cluster analysis, canonical correspondence analysis, and standard diversity measures. A total of 60 woody species belonging to 55 genera and 33 families were recorded, with shrubs (35 species) more numerous than trees (25 species). The analyses revealed four distinct community types. The forest exhibited high overall diversity (Shannon H′ = 3.5) and a well-balanced distribution of species (evenness J = 0.93). Variation in altitude, aspect, soil pH, available phosphorus, and sand content emerged as the principal factors explaining differences in community composition (p < 0.05). These findings show that the Damota Forest is strongly structured by topographic and edaphic gradients and retains considerable woody-species diversity despite ongoing human pressure. Strengthening conservation efforts, restoring degraded sites with native indicator species, and aligning local forest management with climate- and carbon-focused initiatives such as Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme are essential steps toward securing the forest’s long-term resilience.