Ecological study and forest degradation of the Waldiba Monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia

Sacred sites like monasteries harbour a higher diversity of flora and fauna than nearby unprotected areas and sometimes even higher than protected areas. However, anthropogenic disturbance puts woodlands in these monasteries and churches under significant threat. To study the floristic composition and forest degradation of Waldiba monastery woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia, 30 plots were established along transect lines. We recorded 39 native woody species (33 trees, 5 shrubs and 1 liana) belonging to 19 families. The woodland had a Shannon diversity index of 3.10, Simpson similarity index of 0.94, evenness of 0.58 and dominance of 0.06. The density of woody species was 922 stems ha-1 with a total basal area of 49.27 m2 ha-1. The tree species with higher importance value index (IVI) value were Dichrostachys cinerea (86.04%), Combretum fragrans (71.87%), Combretum hartmannianum (60.30%) and Combretum sp. (50.15%). The population structure of the woody species exhibited various patterns; bell shape, irregular shape, interrupted J shape, and J shape. Plant regeneration was inadequate for most of the tree species. Vachellia venosa is listed as endangered while C. hartmannianum as vulnerable in the IUCN red list species category. Waldiba dry woodland has underwent significant cover changes. Waldiba has lost much (65%) of its dense forest and open forest (44%) mainly due to anthropogenic disturbance. The woodland with its biodiversity is under threat. In effect, the species with low IVI, species listed in the IUCN red list and those species with none to poor regeneration status should be prioritized for in situ and ex situ conservation intervention to avert the threat. Research on reproductive ecology of the threatened indigenous species is imperative, as the woodland should be managed for ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation.