Flora Biodiversity Assessment in Bonga, Boginda and Mankira Forest

important information is collected from Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
(MoARD) and Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Bureau of Agriculture and
Rural Development (SNNPBoARD).
2.6 The study area was classified using remote sensing and GIS. Unsupervised classification
was made using ERDAS IMAGINE 8.4, whereas supervised classification was done using
ILWIS. ILWIS assists classification of vegetation (user-friendly) through its feature space.
The two classifications were compared and by applying expert knowledge (and train the
software by training points) collected from field seven major classes were determined.
These seven major classes were identified latter as dense forest, bamboo forest,
intensively cultivated land, exposed surface, moderately cultivated areas, wetland,
disturbed forest and highly disturbed forest. In Boginda bamboo forest doesnot exist.
2.7 Transect lines were selected by closely examining the classified map especially on
vegetation part (forest land) (see annex V for distribution of transects). Major interest area
for flora assessment in Bonga, Mankira and Boginda were vegetated area especially forest
covered lands. Geographical position of transects’ starting points were identified and
recorded into Global Positioning System (GPS). Simultaneously azimuth is determined
and recorded in note book.
2.8 standard data collection formats were prepared.
The study Area
The study area is found in Kafa Zone of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional
State.
Bonga forest is one of the Regional Forest Priority Areas (RFPA). It is estimated to cover an
area of 163,000 ha. Mankira forest, which is estimated to cover 900 ha, is part of Bonga
RFPA. Geographically, Bonga RFPA is located 07 0 00’-07 0 25’N latitude and 35 0 55’-36 0 37’E
longitude.
According to Girma Balcha et al, 2004, Boginda forest covers about 7,500ha. But in this study
wider area is considered, 59447 ha. It is administratively located in Gewata wereda in Kafa
Zone. Geographically, the forest is situated between 07 0 20.000` to 07 0 33.400N latitude and
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