An Assessment of the Current Status and Regeneration Potential of the Traditional Conserved Forests (Ngitili) in Kishapu District, Tanzania
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Date
2020
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Publisher
TROPICAL PLANT RESEARCH
Abstract
The current study was carried out in the community forests conserved under the
indigenous knowledge known as “Ngitili” in Kishapu district of Tanzania. The aim was to assess
the current status and determines its regeneration potential in terms of plant species diversity,
herbaceous productivity and tree stocking. A field survey was conducted for recording the current
status while the phytosociological was carried to recognize vegetation composition and diversity.
Regeneration potential was determined based on the population size of seedlings, saplings and
adults. Disturbance index was used to calculate the level of disturbances while herbaceous
productivity and tree stocking were estimated based on allometric models. Descriptive statistics for
quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 20. The study recorded a total of 10 Ngitili in
Kishapu district, out of which, 9 still existing but highly threatened and disturbed, only 1 Ngitili
was recorded to be dead (not existing). A total of 66 plant species were recorded of which 20 were
grasses, 18 were forbs, and 28 species (17 genera and 13 families) were trees and shrubs. The
dominant grass species were Aristida funiculata (28.9%) and Cynodon dactylon, while Monechma
debile (4.6%) was the dominant forb. Similarly, Acacia drepanolobium (45.4) and Balanites
aegyptiaca (42.9) trees dominated the area. The majority of tree species exhibited a “not
regenerating” condition (51.8%) only a few (2.11%) showed a “good regeneration” condition
while “newly regeneration” condition recorded 0.00%, with a diversity ranging from 1.86–2.44.
Herbaceous and tree stocking potential was 1.23±0.05 t DM ha-1 and 5.66±0.21 t Cha-1
respectively, with a standing stem density (stems ha-1) of 512.07±193.86. The study observed great
degradation of the Ngitili characterized by low diversity and poor regeneration conditions. This
signified that these community forests are currently threatened and its sustainability is highly at
risk unless strong initiatives take place.
Description
This research article was published by TROPICAL PLANT RESEARCH in 2020