Abstract:
Morogoro Fuelwood Reserve (MFR) is a productive forest under the management of
Mvomero district and Morogoro Municipal Authority. The reserve has been modified
through human activities. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of human
activities on composition and regeneration of woody species in MFR. Seventy four plots
each with an area of 0.07 hectare were systematically established in 10 transects. Socio-
economic data obtained through household (5%) interviews using structured
questionnaire, informal discussion and direct observations in the village of Wami
Sokoine and Maili kumi na nane & Mawasiliano streets. Microsoft excel software was
used to analyse the quantitative data for forest parameters, while SPSS program, content
and structural-functional analytical tools applied on socio-economic data. A total of 52
woody species belonging to 18 families were identified. The three most dominant tree
species in terms of their IVI were Combretum molle, Sclerocary birrea, and Pteleopsis
myritifolia. Tree stocking was 403 stems ha –1 while basal area and volume were
2.12m 2 ha –1 and 9.58m 3 ha –1 respectively. On average there were 7 233 stems
ha -1 of
regenerants. Combretum molle had higher regeneration potential in the reserve. The
Shannon Wierner (2.7293) and Simpson (0.0705) Indices were reasonably average. Chi-
square test showed that charcoal making, firewood collection, livestock grazing and wild
fire were the major human activities that cause significant degradation of forest
resources in the MFR. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the socio-economic
factors that significantly influence demand for forest resources and subsequent
degradation of the MFR are household size, cropping system, mode of farm preparation,
average income, mode of livestock keeping and distance to sources of forest products.
The study concludes that, although tree species richness and diversity are on average
high, the MFR has been affected by activities of the adjacent human communities, which
is shown by reduced wood stocks, basal area and volume. It is recommended that there
should be regular assessment and monitoring to maintain ecological and environmental
integrity of this reserve.
