Institute of Marine Sciences

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Browsing Institute of Marine Sciences by Subject "Assessment"

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    Assessment of ecological differences between conserved and unconserved mangrove forests of Zanzibar, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2011) Monga, Elinasi
    While exploitation pressure is mounting in mangrove forests in Zanzibar, the ecological consequences are not well understood. This study, aimed to establish whether there are ecological differences between the conserved mangrove forest of Jozani and unconserved mangrove forest of Pete in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Ecological parameters of mangrove tree density, basal area, above ground biomass (AGB) and crab diversity and abundance were assessed and compared. The ABG (kg/ha) were found to decrease from the lower to the upper zones in both forests with higher values recorded in Jozani forest. Tree density was higher in Jozani than Pete, with the density decreasing from the upper zone to the lower zone in Jozani while at Pete it was even across the zones. Similarly, Jozani forest had higher seedlings density than Pete forest, with a decreasing trend from the lower to upper zone while an increasing trend was observed in the Pete forest. For saplings, Pete forest had higher density than Jozani forest, with an even distribution across the three zones in both forests. The number of cut stumps increased across the zones from lower to upper with higher densities recorded in Pete forest. Crab densitiesdecreased from the lower zone to the upper zone in both forests with highest densities recorded in Pete forest. The physical observation in Pete was that almost all mature treeswere cleared and the stand comprised of new successional regeneration. These results indicate promising ecological returns of conservation for Jozani, and it calls for strictforest conservation measures particularly that of Pete. Public education and capacity building to forest guards are proposed for restoration and sustainability of the ecosystem.