Dependence on forest and its impacts on species composition and cover in Dindili forest reserve, Morogoro Tanzania
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uongozi Journal of Management and Development Dynamics
Abstract
The specific objectives of the study were to: identify forest human disturbance,
identify forest products used for house construction by adjacent communities,
assess stand density and diameter distribution and hence basal area and wood
volume. Other objectives were to assess: species composition, regeneration and
forest cover changes over time. Systematic sampling design involving post-
stratification of the forest reserve into dry evergreen forest and miombo
woodland was used in the inventory. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software and,
remote sensing and GIS technologies were used to analyze quantitative data for
various forest parameters and forest cover respectively. Identified human
disturbances included charcoal production, cultivation and logging especially
in miombo woodland stratum evidenced by higher number of stumps, observed
pit-sawing platforms and charcoal kilns. Results from forest inventory showed
that in the woodland stratum of the study area, stocking levels were 365 ± 72
stems ha -1, 7.74 ± 1.82 m2 basal area and volume of 52.76 ± 14.48 m3 ha-1. In
dry evergreen forest, values of 1256 ± 105 stems, 25.48 ± 2.34 m 2 basal area
and volume of 200.75 ± 25 m3 ha -1 were observed. Values of Shannon-Wiener
index of diversity (H’) of 3.05 and Index of Dominance (ID) value of 0.065
were observed in miombo woodland stratum. In dry evergreen forest stratum,
values of 3.18 and 0.064 respectively were observed. It was also observed that
the original closed forest cover of the study area declined by 14% between
1991 and 2000. The most tree species extracted included Afzelia quanzensis,
Dalbergia melanoxylon, Julbernardia globiflora and Pterocarpus angolensis.
Stocks of tree species such as Burkea africana and Milicia excelsa were
depleted. It was concluded that Dindili Forest Reserve had been highly affected
by forest dependence, reflected by the lower stocking levels, diversity indices
and reduced forest cover. In order to subjugate the current scenario, special
efforts are needed to promote regeneration of the over-exploited species and
put in place sound management plans for Dindili Forest Reserve which
encourage full participation of the communities around it.
Description
Journal article pg. 90-120
Keywords
Miombo, degradation, communities, Fulwe, Kitulanghalo