Browsing by Author "Munishi, P.K.T."

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Effects of large-scale teak plantation establishment on plant species composition and diversity in Kilombero valley, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Ngatena, G.D; Soka, G; Munishi, P.K.T.
Kilombero Teak Company (KVTC) have cleared more than 7,500 ha of natural miombo woodland since 1992, to establish a teak plantation in Kilombero valley. Currently, less is known about how this large teak plantation supports the previous existed plants species before its establishment. This study, investigated the understory plant species found in teak plantation and made reference on natural remnants around the plantation. The main hypothesis was that, natural remnants around the teak plantation would be richer and diversified in species, than teak plantation. Nested plots of 40 m x 20 m, 20 m x 10 m and 1 m x 1 m were established and used to survey plant species within plantation and natural remnants. Results showed that, natural remnants and plantation were 58% similar in plant species recorded. Natural remnants observed to have a statistically significant higher plant species richness (p = 0.043), families (p = 0.049) and abundance (p = 0.004) but lower plant species diversity (p = 0.01) than the plantation. The higher plant diversity scenario in teak plantation, shows that a plantation can support a variety of non-teak plant species that existed in the valley before its establishment in any favorable condition
Land use and vegetation cover dynamics in and around Kagoma Forest Reserve in Tanzania
(Selectedworks, 2013) Nzunda, N. G.; Munishi, P.K.T.; Kashaigil, J. J.; Soka, G. E.; Monjare, J. F.
Kagoma Forest Reserve (KFR) is found in Kagera Region, Tanzania and is comprised of a large area of Miombo woodland. The extent of land use and vegetation cover changes in and around Kagoma Forest Reserve was investigated. Remote sensing and GIS techniques were used to analyze land use and vegetation cover changes over the past 23 years which revealed the occurrence of significant land use and vegetation cover transformation from one land use class to another. During the first period of 12 years under observations (1988-1999), woodlands increased by 5.8%, cultivated lands increased by 5.9%, settlements increased by 0.52% and forests decreased by 5.64%. During the next 11 years period under observations (1999-2010), woodlands decreased by 22.97%, cultivated lands increased by 6.07%, settlements increased by 9.14% when year 1999 was used as a common baseline data year for both periods and forests which decreased by 2.5%. There was a slight increase in settlements from 1998 to 1999 but there was a rapid increase thereafter. It was estimated that vegetation cover was decreasing at the rate of 45.08 ha (0.27%) per year. The study concludes that, there have been significant changes in land use pattern and forest cover in and around KFR in Tanzania which require concerted actions to reverse the changes. The establishment and enforcement of different laws and regulations relating to natural resources and land use planning could improve land tenure and resource use in villages bordering the forest.
Local knowledge on the influence of land use/cover changes and conservation threats on avian community in the Kilombero wetlands, Tanzania
(Scientific Research Publishing Inc., 2014) Ntongani, W.A.; Munishi, P.K.T.; More, S.R.; Kashaigili, J.J.
Local knowledge of the history and ecology of wetland ecosystems is very useful in wetland re- sources management, especially when other historical ecological information is not available and can be integrated with scientific knowledge to introduce better management of resources. The aims of this paper were to assess existing local knowledge on land use/cover changes in the Ki- lombero wetlands, thereafter investigate local knowledge on its effect on avian population in the wetland and identify factors influencing local knowledge on such changes in the study area. Ran- dom sampling was used to obtain representative sample population for this study. Structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to extract information from local people in six villages. Study results from multi-response analysis showed that natural forests had been con- verted into cropland and bushed grassland, grassland to crop land, grassland to grazed land, for- est to settlement and grassland to settlement. Land use change was singled out as primary cause of decrease in avian community in the wetland. Threats to the conservation of avian species were identified as livestock grazing, drought, use of poison, traps and bush meat hunting for food. Age and education level were seen as determinants of household’s knowledge on the ecological changes. This pool of existing knowledge is important among wetland users and stakeholders in order to generate conservation strategies of the wetland ecosystem.
Measuring and modelling above-ground carbon and tree allometry along a tropical elevation gradient
(Elsevier Ltd, 2012) Marshall, A.R.; Willcock, S.; Platts, P.J.; Lovett, J.C.; Balmford, A.; Burgess, N.D.; Latham, J.E.; Munishi, P.K.T.; Salter, R.; Shirima, D.D.; Lewis, S.L.
Emerging international policy aimed at reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) in developing countries, has resulted in numerous studies on above-ground live carbon (AGC) in tropical forests. However, few studies have addressed the relative importance of disturbance, topography, climate, soil and methods for stem measurement, on the estimation of AGC, or the costs of improving AGC estimates by altering sample regimes. We established 18 one hectare plots containing 7201 stems, stratified along forested elevation gradients in Tanzania. We recorded a broad set of physical, climatic and edaphic predictors of AGC and tree stature. AGC estimates using stem diameter, height and wood density, gave a mean value of 174.6 t ha 1, compared with 229.6 t ha 1 when height was excluded. Regression models revealed that stems were tallest for a given diameter at mid-elevation (1000–1250 m), on south-facing slopes, and without past logging. High AGC was strongly associated with shallow slopes, followed by intermediate elevation, elephant absence, low potential evapotranspiration and low soil pH. Further regression models to investigate the structural habitat features associated with AGC, revealed significant positive influence of basal area, stem density, and height:diameter ratio, rather than the mean wood density of species present. Large stems (P70 cm dbh; 4.6% of stems) contained 52% of AGC in all plots, declining to 36% in lowland plots. We discuss the cost:benefit of different measurements and recommend a tiered approach to AGC monitoring, depending on available resources. AGC assessments in African forests could exclude small stems, but should aim to record disturbance, topography and species. Stem height is vital for AGC estimation and valuation; when excluding height our 55 t ha 1 over-estimation of AGC would have over-valued the carbon resource by 24% (US$3300 ha 1).