Floristic composition of Gara Muleta and Kundudo mountains, south-eastern Ethiopia: implications for the conservation of biodiversity

Abstract

The vegetation of the Gara Muleta and Kundudo mountains in Ethiopia conserves soil, water and both plant and animal diversity. It is under severe pressure of destruction caused by deforestation, fire, agriculture and overgrazing The results of floristic studies revealed that there are more than 361 species of vascular plants representing 82 families at Gara Muleta and 96 species representing 43 families at Kundudo mountains. Out of the species recorded from Gara Muleta 45 (13%) are endemic to Ethiopia while 38 (11%) are nearly endemic. There are 6 (6%) endemic species at Kundudo mountain. The floristic composition of the two mountains was compared with the floristic composition of five mountain areas (Bale, Gara Ades, Menagesha, Semien and Wof-Washa mountains) in the country and with Afro-alpine areas in East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda-Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire) and Usambara mountains. The highest similarity in floristic composition was obtained with Wof-Washa natural forest in both Gara Muleta (39%) and Kundudo (41%) suggesting that the flora in these mountains has some distinctive features If the present trend of destruction continues the consequence will be many-fold, among which loss of biodiversity is one. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that these areas be afforded all possible protection before it is too late.