My name is Andrea Wiltschek. For the data collection of my bachelor thesis, which I wrote in the 6th semester of my geography studies at the University of Hamburg, I worked in the Menagesha Ledeta Maryiam Church Forest in Central Ethiopia, Oromia Regional State in July 2017. The Church Forest is located about 30km west of the capital Addis Ababa. 

My bachelor thesis is titled "The natural regeneration of tree species in the Menagesha Ledeta Mariyam Church Forest, Central Ethiopia." The focus of my work was to analyse the natural regeneration of trees with regard to the protection of indigenous species in the Church Forest. I studied twelve examination areas in the forest for their species inventory and calculated the regeneration index of juvenile plants.

The aim of the study was to assess the regeneration status of the Church Forest. I came to the conclusion that the Church Forest has a good rejuvenation, especially of indigenous tree species. 

Tree nurseries are becoming increasingly important to prevent the anthropogenic loss of forests in Ethiopia. The results of my study can be used by the planned nursery at Menagesha Ledeta Mariyam Church Forest. The information on the species inventory of the forest can form the basis for deciding which species should be planted for optimal protection of indigenous tree species.