Abundance and distribution of an alien plant, Panama rubber (castilla elastica) in Amani Nature Reserve, Tanzania
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Date
2007
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
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
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
significant difference (F3.16 = 28.2, P< 0.001) in density of Castilla 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
individuals in a population does not significantly (Z-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
on the botanical survey in ANR by Greenway (1934) and Hones (1963) were used.
sex ratio of Castilla in ANR is female-biased and presence or absence of male
Castilla elastica an exotic tree species to Tanzania was reported as
m to just over 600 m asl. There was reserve. Therefore, this calls for close monitoring and control of its population
growth in ANR.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Alien plant, Panama rubber (castilla elastica), Amani Nature Reserve, Tree species