Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Dalbergia melanoxylon Dominated Zones in Mitarure Forest Reserve in Kilwa District
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Date
2023-02-09
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Huria Journal of Tanzania
Abstract
The study was designed to assess the plant species composition and
diversity in the Dalbergia melanoxylon dominated zone in Mitarure
Forest Reserve and the nearby community forests particularly Ngea and
Nambawala in Kilwa District, Tanzania. Thirty (30) circular concentric
plots were established in the forest reserve and fifteen (15) plots in each
of the two-community forest and used to collect vegetation data. The plant
species diversity was determined using Shannon-Wiener diversity index,
evenness, richness and Simpson and their indices were compared using
ANOVA. Plant species diversity and evenness assessed in Mitarure Forest
Reserve did not differ significantly from those from community forests.
However, the plant species diversity based on Simpson index and richness
were significantly higher in the Mitarure Forest Reserve compared to
those in community forests. A total of 56 plant species were recorded in
Mitarure forest reserve, 39 plant species in Ngea forest and 36 plant
species in Nambawala forest. Mitarure forest reserve and the nearby
community forests have high plant species diversity with a good stand
characteristic of a typical natural forest. However, with an intensive
human disturbance, the tree species composition decreases that needs an
intervention through local community involvement. This strategy may
contribute in the future survival of species and the natural forests in
Kilwa District. Data from this study stand as baseline information for the
future monitoring of the performance of stands in the natural forest
ecosystem in the Dalbergia melanoxylon dominated zones in Kilwa
District.
Description
Dalbergia melanoxylon plant structure and distribution
Keywords
Plant composition, plant diversity, Importance Value Index (IVI), Dalbergiamelonoxylon, Mitarure forest reserve, community forest
Citation
Washa et al, (2023). Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Dalbergia melanoxylon Dominated Zones in Mitarure Forest Reserve in Kilwa District