Moyo, Francis (2005) Composition and Structure of the Natural Vegetation of Gairo Division, Kilosa - Tanzania. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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PDF (Composition and Structure of the Natural Vegetation of Gairo Division, Kilosa - Tanzania)
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the natural vegetation composition, structure and vulnerable woody species to the land use in Gairo division, Kilosa district, central Tanzania. Vegetation samples were collected from 70 plots established in Italagwe forest reserve and Majawanga-lobilo woodland, which are the only natural vegetation left in the division. A total of 263 Plant species belonging to 65 families were collected and identified between October 2004 and November 2004. Vegetation data was subjected to SPSS computer program ahd Fabaceae, Poaceae, Rutaceae and Euphorbiaceae with 18.98%, 7.60%, 7.22%, 6.46% and 5.32% species abundance were the most dominant families in the study area. Plant species diversity and richness was lower in high and less disturbed sites but were high in moderate disturbed site. Vegetation similarity index decreased with increase in level of disturbance and distance between sites. High IVI values in dry montane mixed forest reserve site was observed for Albizia gummifera with 25.86, Eglerophytum natalence (24.12), Brachystegia boehmii (22.190) and Bridelici micrantha (22.57). In reserved miombo woodland site Brachystegia microphylla with 49.79, Combretum molle (36.45) and Dombea rotundifolia (20.37) had higher IVI values whereas Acacia nilotica withl12.69, Combretum molle (55.92) and Albizia harveyii had higher IVI values in unreserved miombo woodland. Significant differences in structure values were observed between the sites. Grass cover (%) and height (m), regeneration (seedlings and saplings/ha) and woody density (stems/ha), basal area (m /ha) and volume (m /ha) decreased with increase in accessibility and disturbance level in the site. Human, animal and fire disturbances were observed in the study area. Human disturbances were high in unreserved site whereas animal and fires were the major causes of disturbances in reserved sites. High dependency for woody resources and poor land use planning has left 20 woody species with only stumps, threatening their sustainability in the study area. However the results of this study have indicated great potential of recovery from disturbances in all three sites, suggesting that if proper conservation measures will be taken immediately to control anthropogenic disturbances biodiversity sustainability will be assured.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > QK Botany |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Selom Ghislain |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Nov 2018 09:10 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Nov 2018 09:10 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/7233 |
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