Assessment of ecological differences between conserved and unconserved mangrove forests of Zanzibar, Tanzania
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Date
2011
Authors
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
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.
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Keywords
ecological, conserved, unconserved, mangrove, Zanzibar,, Tanzania, Assessment, Marine
Citation
Monga, E.(2011) Assessment of ecological differences between conserved and unconserved mangrove forests of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.