Exploitation of brachylaena liuilleiisis (silver oak) and its implication to regeneration of woody plants in Bombo west forest reserve, Korogwe, Tanzania
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Date
2009
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study was carried out in Bombo West Forest Reserve, Korogwe District, Tanzania to
assess the extent of human exploitation of Brachylaena huillensis and its implication to
regeneration of woody plants. Forest vegetation was stratified into highly, mild and least
disturbed areas. Data were collected using forest inventory, questionnaire survey,
discussion with key informants and participant observation. The overall average tree
density of woody plants was 433 stems ha'1 while wood volume and basal area was 36.869
m3 ha'1 and 5.4 m2 ha'1 respectively. Overall average tree density of B. huillensis was 47
stems ha'1, basal area (1.813 m2 ha'1) and volume (14.068 in3 ha'1). It was observed that
Brachylaena huillensis is abundant, dominant and frequently occurring in the forest reserve
with Importance Value Index of 0.470 compared to the next important species
Scorodophlaeus ficheri (0.545). Brachylaena huillensis was found to be heavily exploited
indicating 82 stem ha'1, 2.622 m2 ha'1 and 16.376 m3 ha'1 while density distribution by dbh
size classes indicated abnormal trend, which signifies poor recruitment and regeneration
failure. The overall average of Brachylaena huillensis regenerants was 5076 seedlings ha'1
compared to 15 646 seedlings ha'1 of all woody plants in the forest reserve. Brachylaena
huillensis is known by 95.7 % of the respondents whereby 79.7% of the respondents used
the species for firewood. The species is intensively utilized as pole for buildings as
mentioned by 42 % of the respondents and its poles were claimed to be durable and
extremely resistant to termites. Carvings, charcoal, bush fire, trees and poles cutting are
main threats of the forest reserve and B. huillensis in particular. Moreover, it was also
observed in this study that the wood harvesting mainly for carvings and charcoal is an
indication that B. huillensis and the forest in general are currently threatened and needs
effective management strategies to control the illegal activities. It suggests that the domestication of the species on farmlands could probably reduce the pressure to the
species and the forest in general.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science and management of natural resources for sustainable agriculture
Keywords
Brachylaena liuilleiisis, Silver oak, Woody plants, Bombo west forest reserve, Korogwe, Tanzania