An Ecological Study of the Pattern pf Plant Species Diversity Around Lake Manyara, Northern Tanzania.
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Date
2001-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The plant species diversity and plant communities around Lake Manyara have been
described. Soil samples collected from each plot were analysed for soil pH, electric
conductivity, cation exchange capacity, organic matter, sodium, calcium, phosphorus,
magnesium, total Nitrogen, Soil texture (sand, silt, clay) and Trampling effect. Results
obtained show that 84 species representing 40 families were recorded. Classification
results using SYNTAX revealed seven plant communities. These include Sporoboboills
spicatlls-Cyperus lael'igatlls community type, Cynodon dactyloll-Sporoboills spicatlls
community type, Hyphae/1e petersialla-Digitaria l'eillfilla community type, Sporoboills
COIlSilllilis community type, Acacia tortilis community type, Hypoestes fOJ'sskalei-Clallsena
allisata community type, and Trichilia ellletica- Tabemaemollfalla pachysipholl community
type. The distributions of plant community types in relation to the environmental
variables have been analyzed. Organic matter, clay content, silt content, soil pH cation
exchange capacity, available phosphorus, electrical conductivity and trampling effect are
the most important environmental factor that determines community distribution in lake
Manyara area. Species diversity and evenness are high in plant community type V (Acacia
torfilis community type) and community type VI (Hypoestes forsskalei-Clallsella allisata
community type) while plant community type I (Sporoboills spicatlls-Cyperus lael'igatlls)
show less species diversity. Vegetation cover and species diversity increased with distance
from the lake. Recommendations towards the conservation of species in lake Manyara area
are given.
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Biology