Abstract
The tradition of coffee production varies from place to place in southwest Ethiopia. This study examines the comparative effects of coffee‐based managed forests on woody plant diversity at varying elevations in southwest Ethiopia. Seventy‐two 20 × 20 m plots were established along 12 transect lines, with nested 5 × 5 m subplots. At Halu, undisturbed/untouched forest (UDF) had 48 species (28 families), semiforest coffee (SFC) had 37 species (21 families), and semiplantation coffee (SPC) had 29 species (19 families). In Yayu, UDF had 50 species (29 families), SFC had 32 species (21 families), and the SPC included 22 species (12 families). The highest diversity was observed in the families
Fabaceae, Moraceae, Loganiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae
. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and height distributions followed an inverted J‐shaped pattern, indicating older trees, except in UDF land uses. Basal area measurements were 16.98 m
2
ha
−1
(UDF), 17.46 m
2
ha
−1
(SFC), and 26.94 m
2
ha
−1
(SPC) at Halu and 18.15 m
2
ha
−1
(UDF), 21.7 m
2
ha
−1
(SFC), and 27.92 m
2
ha
−1
(SPC) at Yayu, with SPC having the highest basal area. Woody plant species diversity varied significantly (
p
p
< 0.05) in woody plant distribution, with a positive correlation to DBH class across land uses. The study concludes that intensive coffee management practices significantly reduce woody plant diversity across different locations and land uses. It recommends community‐based approaches and awareness campaigns to promote sustainable, deforestation‐free coffee production and effective forest management.