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<p>Wetlands in central Ethiopia face inadequate documentation and understanding of their ecological integrity and biodiversity. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the ecological health of Burana Natural Wetland (BNW) and Totosie Semi-Artificial Wetland (TSAW) and their plant diversity, and wetland indicator species for guiding conservation efforts. Their ecological status was assessed using the Human Disturbance Gradient Score (HDGS) protocol. Additionally, a systematic vegetation survey was carried out, with 58 plots (2m²) sampled every 100 meters. The collected data were analyzed using HDGS, various diversity indices, and ordination techniques. Analysis revealed BNW had a significantly higher HDGS of 71, indicating greater disturbance, compared to TSAW’s HDGS of 32, suggesting less disturbance. Forty plant species across 13 families were identified. BNW exhibited higher species richness (38) than TSAW (13), with Poaceae and Asteraceae being dominant families in BNW. Notably, BNW’s dominant species, like <i>Snowdenia petitiana</i> and <i>Geranium dissectum</i>, were predominantly upland species, whereas TSAW’s dominant families (Polygonaceae, Cyperaceae) and species (<i>Ludwigia stolonifera</i> and <i>Persicaria amphibia</i>) characterized healthier wetlands. The Shannon (H’) diversity index of BNW was 1.12, significantly different (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) from TSAW’s H’, 0.68. A Sorenson’s similarity index of 30% highlighted distinct species compositions. TSAW, despite lower richness, showed a higher proportion of wetland indicator species (~ 54%), reflecting a healthier, pollution-sensitive ecosystem. Conversely, BNW was dominated by upland species (50%), underscoring its degraded state. This integrated analysis using HDGS, species diversity, and wetland indicators is vital for accurate wetland health evaluation, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation, especially for BNW.</p>

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Analyzing Ecological Health, Plant Diversity and Indicator Species of Wetlands in Ethiopia: Implications for Conservation

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月20日

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  • Admasu Moges,
  • Alamrew Eyayu

摘要

Wetlands in central Ethiopia face inadequate documentation and understanding of their ecological integrity and biodiversity. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the ecological health of Burana Natural Wetland (BNW) and Totosie Semi-Artificial Wetland (TSAW) and their plant diversity, and wetland indicator species for guiding conservation efforts. Their ecological status was assessed using the Human Disturbance Gradient Score (HDGS) protocol. Additionally, a systematic vegetation survey was carried out, with 58 plots (2m²) sampled every 100 meters. The collected data were analyzed using HDGS, various diversity indices, and ordination techniques. Analysis revealed BNW had a significantly higher HDGS of 71, indicating greater disturbance, compared to TSAW’s HDGS of 32, suggesting less disturbance. Forty plant species across 13 families were identified. BNW exhibited higher species richness (38) than TSAW (13), with Poaceae and Asteraceae being dominant families in BNW. Notably, BNW’s dominant species, like Snowdenia petitiana and Geranium dissectum, were predominantly upland species, whereas TSAW’s dominant families (Polygonaceae, Cyperaceae) and species (Ludwigia stolonifera and Persicaria amphibia) characterized healthier wetlands. The Shannon (H’) diversity index of BNW was 1.12, significantly different (p < 0.05) from TSAW’s H’, 0.68. A Sorenson’s similarity index of 30% highlighted distinct species compositions. TSAW, despite lower richness, showed a higher proportion of wetland indicator species (~ 54%), reflecting a healthier, pollution-sensitive ecosystem. Conversely, BNW was dominated by upland species (50%), underscoring its degraded state. This integrated analysis using HDGS, species diversity, and wetland indicators is vital for accurate wetland health evaluation, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation, especially for BNW.