Vegetation community structure and trees regeneration in Ruvu south forest reserve Kisarawe district, Tanzania
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Date
2015
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
It was assessed the vegetation community structure and trees regeneration in Ruvu South Forest Reserve located in East coast Region, Tanzania. Vegetation data were collected using nested plots established along transects in the forest. A total of 110 plant species distributed among 38 families were recorded in the study area. The most dominant families were Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Poaceae while Cyperaceae, Burseraceae, Ebenaceae, Colchicaceae, Polygalaceae, Dilleniaceae and Flacourtiaceae were least recorded. Plant species composition, diversity and regeneration potential were higher in the moderately disturbed than the highly disturbed sites. Based on Two Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN), three clusters were obtained based on the level of disturbance. Clusters A and B were plant communities from the highly disturbed site and C was from the moderately disturbed site. These observations implied the negative impact of anthropogenic activities on vegetation community structure and regeneration pattern of woody plants and possibly negatively affected the livelihoods of the adjacent local communities. The local communities are adviced to establish woodlots in farmlands to get fuelwood resource, charcoal, poles and timber than continuously degrading the Ruvu South Forest Reserve.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Chagula Library, Class mark Dr. Wilbert (THS EAF SD396.G854)
Keywords
Forest regeneration, Coastal forests, Kisarawe district, Ruvu South Forest Reserve, Tanzania
Citation
Gwilaje, D. (2015) Vegetation community structure and trees regeneration in Ruvu south forest reserve Kisarawe district, Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam