The Effect of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Population Structure and Regeneration of Scorodophloeus Fischeri and Manilkara Sulcata in Coastal Forests of Tanzania
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Date
2011
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Abstract
Scorodophloeus fischeri (Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinoideae) and Manilkara sulcata (Sapotaceae) are examples of
tropical African hardwood species and are endemic to East African coastal forests. These plant species are threatened
by human activities beyond natural recovery in some forests. This study aimed to assess the effects of anthropogenic
disturbance on the natural regeneration potential of S. fischeri and M. sulcata in the selected coastal forests of Tanzania.
Transects were established in various vegetation communities and a nested quadrat technique was used to assess the
natural regeneration. Scorodophloeus fischeri regenerates best in Zaraninge forest with high density of trees with diameter at
breast height (DBH) between 10–50 cm and a higher seedling density than in other forests. Similarly, M. sulcata regenerates
best in Pande forest, although many trees had a DBH of 10–30 cm, implying that the trees with size classes above these are
missing. It was concluded that the minimum level of human disturbances in Zaraninge favoured high potentials of natural
regeneration of S. fischeri. Disturbances through human activities contributed to the variation in the natural regeneration
potentials for S. fischeri and M. sulcata in these forests. Conservation attention is likely to improve population structure and
natural regeneration patterns of S. fischeri and M. sulcata in East African coastal forests.
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Keywords
Anthropogenic disturbance, Coastal forest, DBH size class distribution, Natural regeneration
Citation
Mligo, C., Lyaruu, H.V.M. and Ndangalasi, H.J., 2011. The effect of anthropogenic disturbances on population structure and regeneration of Scorodophloeus fischeri and Manilkara sulcata in coastal forests of Tanzania. Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science, 73(1), pp.33-40.