Current Trend on Plant Species Diversity and Productivity Potential among Community Conserved Ngitili Subjected to Grazing Pressure in Kishapu District, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2020-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJSRED
Abstract
Ngitili is the common practice among the Sukuma ethnic community in Tanzania, which involves retaining an area of standing vegetation during the rainy season and opening it up for grazing at the peak of the dry season. Exposure of Ngitili into extensive grazing has been associated with species alteration in terms of diversity and productivity. We conducted a field study to assess the trend of Ngitili, in Kishapu district of Tanzania. A phytosociological survey was carried to recognize vegetation composition using a point sampling technique. Regeneration potential was determined based on the population size of seedlings, saplings and adults. Herbaceous and tree species productivity potential was computed based on established allometric models. We recorded a total of 66 plant species, of which 20 were grasses, 18 were forbs, and 28 were trees. The dominant grass species were, Aristida spp. (28.9%) while Monechma debile (4.6%) was the dominant forb species. Importance Value Index recorded, Acacia drepanolobium (45.4) and Balanite aegyptica (42.9) as dominant trees species. The majority of the tree (51.8%) exhibiting a “Not regenerating” condition. A diversity of 1.8 to 2.4, with a stocking potential of 1.23±0.05 tDM ha-1 , 512.07±193.86 stems/ha, and 5.66±0.21 tCha-1, for herbaceous and tree species was recorded, respectively. Therefore, the sustainability of Ngitili in Kishapu are highly threatened by ongoing grazing pressure.
Description
This Article Journal of Science and Technical Education was Published by IJSRED.