Regeneration and distribution of newtonia buchananii (baker) Gilbert & Boutique in Nilo Nature Reserve, Tanga, Tanzania
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Date
2014
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study was on the regeneration and distribution of Newtonia buchananii (Baker)
Gilbert & Boutique in Nilo Nature Reserve (6,025 ha) located in Korogwe, Muheza
and Mkinga Districts, Tanga Region, Tanzania. The vegetation survey was carried
out in 30 systematically established square nested sample plot sizes of 3 m x 3 m, 10
m x 10 m, 20 m x 20 m and the entire 30 m x 30 m plot. The information recorded in
each plot included: species name, diameter, altitude, slope, aspect, canopy height and
the level of forest disturbance. Moreover, a soil sample was taken at the centre of
each plot for examination of soil properties in the laboratory (soil water holding
capacity, soil pH and organic Carbon). Analysis of inventory data was done by using
logistic regression in SPSS version 12.0. The results were presented in tables and
figures. The proportions of seedlings, saplings and trees showed that N. buchananii
was not regenerating in all forest types. The species was randomly distributed in
lowland and submontane forests but was contiguously distributed in montane forest.
Furthermore, the results of binary logistic regression indicated that two parameters:
altitude and soil water holding capacity significantly affected regeneration and
distribution of N. buchananii (P =0.04 and P = 0.037 respectively). Overall, the
model prediction accuracy was 76.7%. The odd ratio for altitude indicated that for
every unit increase in altitude, the probability of encountering seedlings of N.
buchananii was 50% while the odd ratio for soil water holding capacity indicated that
for every unit increase in soil water holding capacity, the probability of encountering
seedlings of N. buchananii was 41%. It is recommended that immediate conservation
measures should be taken to improve the regeneration of N. buchananii. Also, further
research is recommended for monitoring regeneration of N. buchananii.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Newtonia buchananii