Impact of forest conservation programme on the habitats and occurrence of mammals in Kahama district

This study on the impact of forest conservation programme on the habitats and occurrence of mammals in Kahama district was done from March to April 2006. Three sites with different conservation strategies were sampled: Community conserved forest (Ngitili), Mkweni Forest Reserve and a Village Forest. The vegetation was sampled using the Modified-Whittaker nested quadrat method, small mammals by trap line method and large mammals by a questionnaire survey and direct observation. Tree species richness of 29 species and a density of 228 trees ha 1 in the Community conserved forest were significantly higher than 12 species and density of 60 trees ha 1 recorded in Mkweni Forest Reserve respectively. Only saplings were found in the Village forest. Small mammal’s species richness between the three study sites were not significantly different but trap success of 2.18% in the Community conserved forest was significantly higher than that for Mkweni Forest Reserve (0.66%) and the Village forest (1.66%). The species richness of medium to large sized mammals of 21 species in the Community conserved forest was significantly higher than that in Mkweni Forest Reserve and the Village forest with 9 species each. It is concluded that the Community conserved forest had dense vegetation cover and limited human disturbance due to its good conservation programme than the other sites that were highly degraded due to poor management. Sustainable management of the forests and establishment of private Ngitili strategy is recommended in order to allow regeneration of the forests and attract more mammal species if properly protected.