The Effect of Closed Area on Woody Species Regeneration: A Case study in Loma Bosa Woreda, Dawuro zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract This study examines the effect of closed area on woody species regeneration by comparing the woody species regeneration among closure, open woodland, and degraded land areas in Loma Bosa district, Dawuro zone in southern Ethiopia. Results show that Simpson's Diversity Index was 7.24 for woody species in closed area, 6.01 in open woodland and 3.40 in open degraded land area. Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index(H') was 2.26 for woody species in closed area, 2.38 in open woodland area and 1.56 in open degraded land area. The results of Sorenson's similarity coefficients indicates woody species composition in closed area are highly correlated with open woodland areas. Wood species density were 2,225 ha-1, 1,642 ha-1, and 297 ha-1 for closed area, open woodland area, and open degraded land area, respectively. The results indicate that closed area development enhanced species composition, richness, diversity, woody vegetation regeneration, inverted J shape Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and height class and higher woody species density and crown cover class percentage compared to open degraded area. Overall results from this study indicated that area closure is important for improvement of woody species regeneration in the study area.