Plant species composition and restoration potential through soil seed bank in Zaraninge and Mbwebwe Coastal Forests, Bagamoyo district, Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Pima, Nancy Eliad | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-09-24T09:20:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-09-24T09:20:46Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2009 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | The aim of the study was to assess plant species composition and its relation with soil seed bank as a basis for forest restoration through natural regeneration in Zaraninge and Mbwebwe coastal forests, Bagamoyo District Tanzania. Eighteen sample plots of size 0.07 ha were established systematically along transect in each of the two forests. Soil samples were collected within each plot at 0-10cm, 10-20cm and 20-30cm depths. The analysis was based on Importance Value Index computed from the average of relative basal area, density and frequency. Soil samples were analyzed for seed density of different plant species at the different depths. 62 and 50 plant species were identified in Zaraninge and Mbwebwe forests respectively. Out of 62 vascular plants identified in Zaraninge three species were rare plants, 35 common species and seven endemic to coastal forests. Mbwebwe forest had three rare plants, 26 common species and five endemic to coastal forests. The Shannon-Winner and Simpson Diversity Indices were 2.843, 0.093 and 2.5, 0.12 for Zaraninge and Mbwebwe forests respectively showing that the forests have high species diversity. The seed bank density for vascular plants was 2,782seeds m-2 and l,170seeds m-.2 and for rare plants was 103 and 68seeds m-2 for Zaraninge and Mbwebwe forests respectively. 71 seedlings emerged from all samples of the two forests, most of them being herbs and grasses. One rare plant species germinated from both forests. Majority (55%) of the seedlings emerged from 0-10cm soil layer. Based on the number of germinated seeds there was no close relationship between species composition of standing vegetation and composition of the seed bank. It is concluded that forest restoration through soil seed bank may greatly depend on seed bank at the surface soil horizons. The study suggests longer germination trial in order to capture full soil seed bank potentials. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | PANTIL SUA project and Critical Ecosystem Partnership Funds (CEPF) | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7031 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Plant species composition | |
| dc.subject | Forest ecosystems | |
| dc.subject | Soil seed bank | |
| dc.title | Plant species composition and restoration potential through soil seed bank in Zaraninge and Mbwebwe Coastal Forests, Bagamoyo district, Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Thesis |