Altitudinal variation and conservation priorities of vegetation along the Great Rift Valley escarpment, northern Ethiopia

摘要: Understanding plant species distribution patterns along environmental gradients is fundamental to managing ecosystems, particularly when habitats are fragmented due intensive human land-use pressure. To assist management of the remaining vegetation Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, richness and diversity were analyzed main elevation gradient (1,000–2,760 m) Great Rift Valley escarpment in northern Ethiopia, using 29 plots established at 100-m intervals. A total 129 vascular belonging 59 families was recorded. Species showed a hump-shaped relationship with elevation, peaking mid-elevation (1,900–2,200 m). Beta values indicated medium turnover lowest mid-elevation. Elevation strongly partitioned communities (r = 0.98; P < 0.001). Four identified gradient: Juniperus procera–Clutia lanceolata community (2,400–2,760 m), Abutilon longicuspe–Calpurnia aurea (1,900–2,300 m), Dracaena ombet–Acacia etbaica (1,400–1,800 m), Acacia mellifera–Dobera glabra (1,000–1,300 m). optimize conservation communities, it recommended that corridor be includes all four communities. This strategy—in contrast creating single isolated reserves zones high richness—is necessary for habitat protection narrow elevational ranges, particular globally endangered Nubian dragon tree (Dracaena ombet).