Sjructural, Floristic Composition and Diversity of Vegetation Communities in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania
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Date
2001-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Structural and floristic study was calTied out in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania with the
objectives of detennine the stlUctural composition of the vegetation communities found
in the area; compiling the checklist of plants species found in the area and determination
of abundance of vegetation communities in the study area. Data were collected by
systematic sampling design, where quadrats were established along transect lines. Nested
plot design was used to sample plants of different sizes. The main quadrat for tree and
sapling was 25 m x 20 m and within the main quadrat the 5 m x 2 m was used to collect
data on shrubs and seedlings. Within a 5 m x 2 m another 0.5 m x 2 m subplot was set for
collection of data on herbs and grasses. One hundred seventy four (174) plant species
were encountered. Woody species density calculated was 350.67 stem ha-1 and total basal
area 17. 76m2ha-. The most abundant tree species recorded in the area were Dalbergia
lIIelalloxyloll (23.07%), Acacia lIigrescells (8.42), LOllchocmplis capassa (7.80%),
Brachystegia boehlllii (6.72%), combrellllll zeyheri (5.75%), Margaritaria discoidea
(4.59%) and Acacia sieberialla (4.18%). The hierarchical cluster analysis using averagelinkage
strategy provided six distinct plant communities. I. Flueggea virosa-Pallicllm
maximulll-Acacia sieberialla community type 2. Hygrophila auriculata-Sporobolus
pyramidalis community type 3. LOllchocmpus capassa-Cassia abbreviata community
type 4. Acacia sieberialla-Hyparrhellia mfa community type 5. Acacia IligrescensDalbergia
melalloxyloll community type and community type 6. Bracllystegia boehmiiBrachystegia
spicifol71lis-Margaritaria disco idea community types. The following tree
species; Dalbergia lIlelalloxyloll, Pericopsis allgolellsis Plerocmplls allgolellsis,
Brachyslergia spiciformis and Brachyslergia boehmii which are mostly used for
carvings, music instlUments, buildings materials and firewood were found highly
poached at the edge of the park. The vegetation in this study area were most disturbed by
environmental ,animals and human factors which include fire, browsing, grazing,
poaching, soil, and water table effects. From this observation, local community
pmiicipation on conservation of these valuable tree species is encouraged for near by
villages which include,Mikumi town, Doma, Mkata, Kilombero and Kisaki. Futhermore,
detailed integrated floristic studies of the area, targeting the unknown ecological area of
Malundwe forest which is not covered in this study is recommended
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Keywords
Mikumi National Park