The effects of dichrostachys cinerea (sickle bush) encroachment on herbaceous vegetation attributes in the grazing lands of Monduli district, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST)
Abstract
Reports indicate a global increase in bush encroachment,
transforming open grassy systems into dense thickets of woody
plants. Dichrostachys cinerea, commonly known as sickle bush or
endundulu by Maasai communities, is one of the encroaching
shrubs in Africa that tends to form dense thickets, which are
difficult to eliminate due to its invading ability. Recently, this
plant has been observed to increase tremendously in the grazing
lands of Monduli district, although little is known about its impact
on herbaceous vegetation attributes in the district. This study
aimed to assess the effects of this encroachment on herbaceous
vegetation attributes in the grazing lands. Three villages
(Mswakini chini, Mswakini juu and Naitolia) were purposively
selected and involved in this study. Vegetation surveys and
measurements, involving transect lines, plots, sub-plots, and
quadrats, were conducted in encroached and adjacent non-
encroached sites in the grazing land of each village. A total of 72
(20m × 20m) plots were demarcated, and in each plot, there were
five (5m × 5m) sub plots, from where the biomass readings were
taken (using a pasture disc meter), vegetation cover estimated
(using a pin quadrat), and individual species were identified and
counted within 0.25m2 quadrats. A total of 64 herbaceous species were obtained during this study, of which 37.5% were found only
in non-encroached areas, 25% only in encroached areas, and
37.5% were common to both sites. The study found that
encroached areas had significantly lower biomass (409.604 Kg
DM/ha) and a lower cover of desirable vegetation (10%), with
greater bare ground cover (56%) compared to non-encroached
sites, which had 890.72 Kg DM/ha biomass, 48% desirable
vegetation cover, and 19% bare ground cover. The condition of
the grazing lands was generally poorer in encroached sites than
in non-encroached sites. The findings of this study show the
negative effects of Dichrostachys cinerea encroachment on
herbaceous vegetation attributes in grazing lands, which
challenges sustainable livestock production. These results are
relevant to local pastoralists, land managers, and policymakers in
Monduli district and other similar areas facing sickle bush
encroachment. It is recommended that strategies such as
mechanical bush control, controlled grazing, and the use of
prescribed burning be implemented, with the aid of advanced
studies on the bush, active involvement and training of
pastoralists to manage the bush effectively. Policymakers should
provide frameworks and resources to promote sustainable forage
production.
Description
Healthy Rangelands for Sustainable Economic Development, pp. 128-151
Keywords
Encroachment, Forage, Grazing lands, Herbaceous, Sickle bush