Assessment of distribution and abundance of pinus papulainvasion in Rungwe nature reserve, Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Joseph, Anamary | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-19T07:04:37Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-19T07:04:37Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2013 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | Invasive species are non-native species to a particular ecosystem that are likely to cause economic, ecological or social impact. Currently, invasive species are amongst the main causes of biodiversity loss. In Tanzania, the issue of invasive species is currently under intensive discussion by different natural resource based institutions. In Rungwe Nature Reserve (RNR), Pinus patula invasion has been reported recently to threaten biodiversity and catchment value of RNR. This study was initiated to assess distribution and abundance of P. patula invasion in RNR. The obtained information is expected to have important implications to the management of RNR. The Northern part of RNR was divided into three strata based on altitudinal range i.e. lower altitude zone (2150-2350 ni asl), the middle altitude zone (2350-2560 m asl) and the upper altitude zone (2560-2760 m asl) with heavy invasion of P. patula. In each altitudinal zone three transects were laid. Along each transect five plots were laid. Data were collected in each plot. Results revealed that P. patula was highly invasive to RNR and the upper altitude zone had highest abundance of P.patula (1084 stems/ha) and were widely distributed followed by the lower altitude zone with P. patula abundance of 769 stems/ha and were not widely distributed. The middle altitude zone had no P. patula. Pinus patula was dominant species in the lower altitude zone and upper altitude zone with Importance Value Indices of 70% and 83% respectively. Pinus patula was spreading into open areas and was spreading dominantly from mature tree within the reserve, neighbouring Kiwira forest plantation and nearby villagers’ farms. Pinus patula invasion had several threats to the reserve and therefore for the sustainability of RNR, there is a need to initiate some management practices such as mechanical removal of P. patula and gap planting/restoration with native species. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Belgium Technical Cooperation (BTC) | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7430 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Finus papulainvasion | |
| dc.subject | Biodiversity loss | |
| dc.subject | Natural resource | |
| dc.subject | Rungwe nature reserve | |
| dc.title | Assessment of distribution and abundance of pinus papulainvasion in Rungwe nature reserve, Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Thesis |