Effect of refugees on plant diversity, forest stocks and forest cover in north-east Mpanda forest reserve, Mpanda district, Tanzania.
| dc.contributor.author | Sotery N.L | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-04-25T11:13:47Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-04-25T11:13:47Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2013 | |
| dc.description | Masters Desertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study on the effect of refugees on plant diversity, forest stock and forest covers was conducted in North-East Mpanda Forest Reserve (NEMFR), Mpanda District. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing refugees' forest-based activities, quantifying effect of refugees' disturbances on forest slocks, assessing the effect of refugees on plant diversity and quantifying the forest cover changes between 1972/73-1994 and 1994- 2009. Structured interview and checklist were used to collect socio-economic data from Katumba refugee camp villages and one village from native community. Biophysical data was collected through forest inventory procedures and remote sensing and GIS techniques. The forest was stratified into disturbed and undisturbed strata of 33 and 135 sample plots respectively. Descriptive statistics were established through SPSS software whereas, content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Inventory data was analysed by Microsoft excel. Satellite imageries covering a period from 1972/73 to 2009 were analysed by GIS techniques using Arc View GIS and ERDAS. Results revealed that refugees illegally accessed NEMFR mainly for agriculture, residences, fuelwood and poaching. Stand density was 595±26.01 (SE), 663±25.07 (SE) and 254±58.5 (SE) stems/ha for the whole NEMFR, undisturbed and disturbed strata respectively. Basal area was 15.68±0.76 (SE), 18.62±0.71 (SE) and 2.12±0.59 (SE) m2/ha for NEMFR, undisturbed and disturbed strata respectively. Volume was 151.60±8.22 (SE), 182.10±8.17 (SE) and 17.45±5.76 (SE) m3/ha for NEMFR, undisturbed and disturbed strata respectively. Statistically, the above three parameters with reference to undisturbed and disturbed strata were significantly different (pO.OOOl) implying disturbed strata was less stocked attributable to anthropogenic activities. Shannon-Wiener indices were 3.26±0.007 (SE), 3.24±0.007 (SE) and 2.73±0.05 (SE) for NEMFR, undisturbed and disturbed strata respectively. Cover change analysis deduced a widespread forest cover changes attributable to refugees disturbances. The study concluded that legal residence of refugees in NEMFR has significantly resulted into reduced wood stocks, plant diversity and forest cover. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Mpanda District Council | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/6680 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokone University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Refugees | |
| dc.subject | plant diversity | |
| dc.subject | forest stocks | |
| dc.subject | forest cover | |
| dc.subject | forest reserve | |
| dc.subject | Mpanda District Council | |
| dc.title | Effect of refugees on plant diversity, forest stocks and forest cover in north-east Mpanda forest reserve, Mpanda district, Tanzania. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |