Browsing by Author "Swai, Godgift"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    A study on plant species composition, diversity and carbon stocks of Hanang mountain forest reserve, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Swai, Godgift
    This research assessed plant species composition, diversity and carbon stocks of Hanang Mountain FR, Tanzania. Thirty-four sample plots (40m x 20m) sub divided into eight 10m x 10m subplots were established at regular intervals along altitudinal gradient. Trees (DBH ≥10cm) were identified and measured in each plot. Shrubs and herbs were recorded from 2.5m x 5m and 1m x 1m quadrats nested within the subplots respectively. A composite soil sample taken in three depths from four 1m2 quadrats was used for Soil Organic Carbon (SOC). Species diversity was computed using Simpson D and Shannon-Wiener indices. Species richness and evenness were computed using ‘Margalef’s and Piellou J indices respectively. Ordination, TWINSPAN, ANOSIM and SIMPER analyses were also carried out for vegetation data. In total 49 tree species (in 33 families), 77 shrub species (in 34 families) and 55 herb species (in 29 families) were recorded. Tree species diversity (Shannon-Wierner Index) and richness was 3.2±0.12 and 7.0±0.62 respectively, whereas shrub diversity and richness was 3.75±0.12 and 10.43±0.75 and herb diversity and richness was 2.54±0.23 and 6.76±0.78 respectively. The average similarities (ANOSIM) were 8.49, 8.12 and 11.4 and average dissimilarities (SIMPER) were 23.5, 10.9 and 21.3 for tree, shrub and herb species respectively. TWINSPAN identified six vegetation communities from the entire vegetation data. The carbon stock of the area was 48.3 t C/ha, 0.21 t C/ha and 137.13 t C/ha for trees, herbs and SOC respectively. Tree carbon was relatively low compared to most similar areas in the tropics. SOC was relatively higher compared to most similar areas in the tropics. On-going anthropogenic threats in the forest reserve are likely to diminish the SOC if effective control measures are not implemented.