African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

ISSN 2756-3367

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 2 (6), pp. 159-169, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Floristic composition of herbaceous flowering plant species in Lalay and Tahtay Michew Districts, Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia

Mrs. Genet Atsbeha,1 Prof. Sebsebe Demissew2, Prof. Zerihun Woldu3 and Mrs. Sue Edwards4

1Adama Science and Technology University, E-mail: [email protected]

2Addis Ababa University, E-mail: [email protected]

3Addis Ababa University, E-mail: [email protected]

4Institute for sustainable development, Addis Ababa. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 August, 2015

Abstract

This study was carried out in Lalay and Tahtay Maichew districts, Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. The main objectives of the study were to: identify herbaceous flowering plant species found in the study area and to identify community types of the vegetation of the study area. Within 65 sample quadrats, different herbaceous species were collected for taxonomic identification using preferential sampling method and coded for an analysis from 1m x 1m sub-quadrats placed within 20m x 20m quadrat. A total of 132 herbaceous flowering plant species of vascular plants belonging to 99 genera and 34 families were identified. With regards to species number, the most dominant plant family is Poaceae (34 species), followed by Asteraceae (16 species), Fabaceae (14 species). Four community types were also identified at 47.94% to 31.42% similarity levels.

Key words: Floristic composition, taxonomic identification, community types, herbaceous plant species, Lalay and Tahtay Maichew districts.