Floristic composition and diversity of epiphytes in Farante Forest, Sodo Zuria District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Although epiphytes play a significant role in the functioning of forest ecosystems, their ecological importance has often given less attention. The objective of this study was to assess the floristic composition and diversity of epiphytes in the Farante Forest. A total of sixty (25m x 25m) plots/quadrates were systematically laid. They were laid on the line transacts that were established in the Farante forest for vegetation for data collection. Phorophytes’ vertical structure, diameter at breast height, bark texture, abundance of epiphytes and phorophytes, and elevation of each plot were collected as data. Voucher specimens of both epiphytes and phorophytes were collected for identification in the national herbarium of Ethiopia. Twenty-six (26) vascular epiphytes belonging to 22 genera and 10 families were recorded in Farante Forest. Polypodiaceae was the most abundant family. Acacia abyssinica, Ficus vasta, and Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata harbored the highest species richness of epiphytes. The relative distribution of epiphytes on the vertical structure of the phorophyte indicated 37% on the trunk, 36% on the canopy, and 27% on the base. The relative distribution of epiphytes on the texture of the phorophyte indicates 63% on a rough texture and 37% on a smooth texture. A significant (p = 0.002) and positive correlation (r = 0.96) were observed in the abundance of epiphytes and the size of the DBH of phorophytes. The diversity and evenness of epiphytes were 3.01 and 0.924, respectively, in the forest. The finding, therefore, confirmed the dominance of a few epiphytes harbored by a few host species, the highest epiphyte composition in the trunk zone, and the rough bark of phorophytes.