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<p>We examined the composition, structure, and regeneration status of woody plants in churchyards embedded within the urban matrix of the Hadiya landscape in Ethiopia. Floristic surveys identified 50 woody species across 44 genera and 33 families, with Fabaceae most represented. Overall, diversity was moderate, but species evenness was low, indicating that a few species dominate. Population structure analysis revealed bell-shaped diameter at breast height (DBH) and height class distributions, suggesting recruitment bottlenecks in larger size classes. Regeneration patterns followed inverted J-shaped curves, consistent with ongoing but uneven regeneration. Exotic Eucalyptus species exhibited high density and importance value index (IVI) values, raising concerns about their impact on native regeneration and long-term biodiversity maintenance. Sorensen’s similarity index indicated low floristic overlap with other regional forests, underscoring the unique role of churchyards as biodiversity refuges in altered landscapes. These findings highlight both the conservation value and ecological challenges of churchyards, emphasizing the need for community-based strategies to reduce exotic dominance, enhance native regeneration, and secure long-term ecological sustainability.</p>

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Churchyards as Ecological Refuges: Biodiversity and Regeneration in the Urban Matrix of Hadiya Landscapes

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月24日

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  • Osie Mulatu,
  • Assefa Girma

摘要

We examined the composition, structure, and regeneration status of woody plants in churchyards embedded within the urban matrix of the Hadiya landscape in Ethiopia. Floristic surveys identified 50 woody species across 44 genera and 33 families, with Fabaceae most represented. Overall, diversity was moderate, but species evenness was low, indicating that a few species dominate. Population structure analysis revealed bell-shaped diameter at breast height (DBH) and height class distributions, suggesting recruitment bottlenecks in larger size classes. Regeneration patterns followed inverted J-shaped curves, consistent with ongoing but uneven regeneration. Exotic Eucalyptus species exhibited high density and importance value index (IVI) values, raising concerns about their impact on native regeneration and long-term biodiversity maintenance. Sorensen’s similarity index indicated low floristic overlap with other regional forests, underscoring the unique role of churchyards as biodiversity refuges in altered landscapes. These findings highlight both the conservation value and ecological challenges of churchyards, emphasizing the need for community-based strategies to reduce exotic dominance, enhance native regeneration, and secure long-term ecological sustainability.