Abstract:
This study attempted to assess floristic composition, stocking and disturbance in MCFR.
Specifically, the study aimed to assess plant species richness and diversity, stem density,
basal area and volume of the trees, intensity and distribution of disturbance and determine
land cover changes for the past 41 years in MCFR. A total of 20 clusters with 100
concentric circular plots with radii 2,5,10 and 15m aligned in four transects across the
entire forest of 65710ha were used for the study. Data collection involved recording
information on species name, diameter at breast height, tree height with diameter ≥5cm,
counts and records species of regenerants and human disturbance in each plot. Landsat
MSS, TM and OLI image of the year 1975, 1995 and 2016 were used to quantify land
cover changes for the past 41 years. Inventory data were analyzed by using MS excel and
PAST while Landsat Image were analyzed using QGIS software version 2.8.1. A total of
57 plant species belonged to 23 families were identified.Shannon-Wiener index and
Simpson Diversity Indices were 3.086 and 0.9436 respectively. The mean volume of
88.07±25.61m³/ha, stem density of 255.9±61.7 stem/ha, basal area 7.6±2.1m²/ha and
volume of stumps 24.5±9.3m³/ha were obtained. Apart from disturbances frequently that
affects forest, this study found that MCFR is disturbed by animal grazing 43.5%, footpath
21.7%, camping site 17.4%, car truck 15.2% and fire damage 2.2%. For the past 41 years
land cover changed from closed woodland, bush land and riverine to open woodland and
bare land by 44.71%, 37.59% and 1.08% respectively. Generally, MCFR has higher
species richness and diversity. There were also consistently negative changes in forest
cover, relatively to low stem density, mean tree height, and mean Dbh and basal area
which were indications of the presence of human disturbance. Therefore, there is a need
of resurvey, JFM, good governance and Management plan to be implemented by the
MCFR.
