Assessment of distribution and abundance of pinus papulainvasion in Rungwe nature reserve, Tanzania
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Date
2013
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Invasive species are non-native species to a particular ecosystem that are likely to
cause economic, ecological or social impact. Currently, invasive species are amongst
the main causes of biodiversity loss. In Tanzania, the issue of invasive species is
currently under intensive discussion by different natural resource based institutions. In
Rungwe Nature Reserve (RNR), Pinus patula invasion has been reported recently to
threaten biodiversity and catchment value of RNR. This study was initiated to assess
distribution and abundance of P. patula invasion in RNR. The obtained information is
expected to have important implications to the management of RNR. The Northern
part of RNR was divided into three strata based on altitudinal range i.e. lower altitude
zone (2150-2350 ni asl), the middle altitude zone (2350-2560 m asl) and the upper
altitude zone (2560-2760 m asl) with heavy invasion of P. patula. In each altitudinal
zone three transects were laid. Along each transect five plots were laid. Data were
collected in each plot. Results revealed that P. patula was highly invasive to RNR and
the upper altitude zone had highest abundance of P.patula (1084 stems/ha) and were
widely distributed followed by the lower altitude zone with P. patula abundance of
769 stems/ha and were not widely distributed. The middle altitude zone had no P.
patula. Pinus patula was dominant species in the lower altitude zone and upper
altitude zone with Importance Value Indices of 70% and 83% respectively. Pinus
patula was spreading into open areas and was spreading dominantly from mature tree
within the reserve, neighbouring Kiwira forest plantation and nearby villagers’ farms.
Pinus patula invasion had several threats to the reserve and therefore for the
sustainability of RNR, there is a need to initiate some management practices such as
mechanical removal of P. patula and gap planting/restoration with native species.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Finus papulainvasion, Biodiversity loss, Natural resource, Rungwe nature reserve