Regeneration Dynamics and Structural Changes in Miombo Woodland Stands at Kitulangalo Forest Reserve in Tanzania
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Date
2020-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Abstract
The sustainability of the seriously threatened African miombo wood
lands depends on their capability to maintain sufficient natural regen
eration. This study focused on the regeneration dynamics and the
impacts of silvicultural treatments of fencing, site preparation, and
thinning in the Kitulangalo forest reserve in Tanzania. Mixed models
were applied to analyze the change in number of stems during the
nine-years observation period on a set of permanent experimental
plots. There was a significant decrease in the total number of stems
(from 29 800 ha −1 to 19 100 ha −1 ) but a significant increase in the
number of main stems (from 9 300 ha −1 to 11 100 ha −1 ) during
observation period. The proportion of empty regeneration plots
(zero seedlings and saplings on a regeneration plot of 4 m 2 ) was
initially very low (7.3%) and decreased further during the study period
to 5.3%. Greater stand density was associated with lower density of
regeneration. Fencing implied a greater increase in the number of
main stems but a sharper drop in the total number of stems by
reducing animal disturbances. The findings indicate that the forests
at Kitulangalo are recovering from past abuse and likely developing
toward more sustainable stand structures and sustainability.
Description
Keywords
Regeneration dynamics, stand density, species composition, silvicultural treatments, miombo woodlands