Browsing by Author "Kikoti, Imani A."
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item The Impact of Grazing on Plant Natural Regeneration in Northern Slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania(Scientific Research, 2015) Kikoti, Imani A.; Mligo, Cosmas; Kilemo, Dominico B.Livestock grazing is considered to be of great ecological importance in terrestrial ecosystems if sustained at acceptable levels. Overgrazing has ecological ramifications which lead to degradation of the ecosystem. This has become a problem in many parts of Tanzania. A study was conducted in Northen Slopes of Mount Kilimajaro in order to examine the impact of grazing on natural regeneration of the grazed vegetation. This paper is guided by the hypothesis that the species richness, species diversity and density of regenerants vary across grazing intensities. The study area was divided into four zones as per grazing intensity namely heavily grazed areas, moderately grazed, least grazed and ungrazed areas. Ten rectangular quadrats of 20 m × 25 m were established in each zone, making a total of 40 quadrats in the entire study area. A stratified random sampling procedure was used in locating quadrats in each zone of grazing intensity whereby two subquadrats of 2 m × 5 m were nested in bigger quadrats. Natural regeneration was assessed in terms of species diversity and density of seedlings, saplings and poles. Results indicate that species regeneration varied among areas with different grazing intensity. The variations of seedlings and saplings density among areas with different grazing intensity were statistically significant. The species diversity of regenerants differed significantly among areas with different grazing intensity. Keeping the grazing intensity at low and moderate levels will stimulate more plant growth and diversity as opposed to heavy grazing which will lead to vegetation retrogression.Item Impacts of Livestock Grazing on Plant Species Composition in Montane Forests on the Northern Slope of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania(Taylor and Francis, 2015) Kikoti, Imani A.; Mligo, CosmasThe montane forests on Mount Kilimanjaro are part of the ecologically protected area and provide ecosystem services to the local communities on the lower slopes. Despite their ecological value, the montane forests on the northern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro have been affected by increased livestock grazing pressure due to prolonged drought and expansion of agricultural land. We examined the impacts of livestock grazing on plant species composition in the montane forests on the northern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro. The study area was sub-divided into heavily grazed, moderately grazed, lightly grazed and ungrazed sites. A quadrat method was used for field data collection. A total of 115 plant species distributed within 93 genera and 39 families were identified. Moderately grazed and lightly grazed areas had higher plant species diversities than heavily and ungrazed areas. This observation concurs with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. However, plant species that contributed to high species richness and diversity in grazed areas were mainly grasses, shrubs and herbs. It was concluded that livestock grazing in montane forests on the northern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro has serious impacts on vegetation community composition. Conservation of montane forest habitat and improvement of rangelands on communal land are necessary.