Abundance and distribution of an alien plant Panama rubber (Castilla elastica) in amani nature reserve, Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Richard John | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-02-13T05:35:59Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-02-13T05:35:59Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2007 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | Castilla elastica an exotic tree species to Tanzania was reported as a potential invasive plant in Amani Nature Reserve (ANR). In order to provide information toward efforts to combat alien invasive plants in ANR, the research was undertaken to study the abundance and distribution of Castilla elastica in the Reserve. To locate definite plots in the Amani Botanical Garden originally planted with Castilla, reports on the botanical survey in ANR by Greenway (1934) and Hones (1963) were used. The point-centred quarter method was used for the determination of the relative abundance of Castilla and other constituent species of the canopy in the study area. Furthermore, the population characteristics of Castilla were studied and its Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) was carried out. The distribution of Castilla in the reserve falls within the altitudinal range of 380 m to just over 600 m asl. There was significant difference (F316= 28.2, P< 0.001} in density of Cflstilla between the four levels of forest disturbance in the study area. The density of Castilla in areas of high disturbance was approximately 192 stems/ha, 98 stems/ha in moderately disturbed. 63 stems/ha in plantation forest and 26 stems/ha in areas'of low disturbance. The diameter distribution of Castilla suggests an expanding population with 55% seedlings, 30% saplings, 10% juveniles, 3% young trees, and 2% mature trees. The sex ratio of Castilla in ANR is female-biased and presence or absence of male individuals in a population does not significantly (/-test, P 0.05) influence the number of regenerants produced. The total score obtained from the WRA of Castilla in ANR is 11 and this shows that Castilla has a risk of becoming invasive in the reserve. Therefore, this calls for close monitoring and control of its population growth in ANR. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Darwin Initiative | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7311 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Alien plant | |
| dc.subject | Panama rubber | |
| dc.subject | Amani nature reserve | |
| dc.subject | Botanical Garden | |
| dc.subject | Canopy specie | |
| dc.title | Abundance and distribution of an alien plant Panama rubber (Castilla elastica) in amani nature reserve, Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Thesis |