scholarly journals The Determination of Floristic Diversity within Image Forest Reserve (IFR) Land Cover Types, Kilolo District, Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Canisius John Kayombo ◽  
Henry Joseph Ndangalasi ◽  
Cosmas Mligo ◽  
Richard Alphonce Giliba

Image Forest Reserve (IFR) in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania is known for its high floristic diversity within the various land cover types. The study was conducted from August to October 2019 to determine the floristic diversity in IFR. A total of 170, 20m x 40m were systematically set at an inter-plot interval of 250 m within the land cover types. Plants were identified for their botanical names, determined for A, and herbarium specimens were collected and identified later at the DSM herbarium and NHT in Arusha. Also, 2m x 5m nested subplots were set to determine shrubs and saplings, while 1m x 1m were laid for non-woody plants and tree seedlings. The Shannon index of diversity (H') and index of dominance (ID) were calculated using the H’ and ID indices; plant species evenness (J′) was also calculated. ANOVA was used to compare species composition parameters among the different land cover types. A total of 502 plant species were identified in IFR. Woodland had the largest number of plant species (38.0%) followed by trees (31.0%), shrubland and grassland (21.9%) and bare land and rocks (9.1%). The forest had the largest number of trees (115) followed by woodland (93), shrubland and grassland, and bare land and rocks had the least species diversity. The woodland had the largest relative abundance (50.3%), trailed by forest (38.9%), shrubland and grassland (8.8%), and bare land and rocks (1.9%). The H’, A, ID and J’ showed a significant difference within the forest, woodland, shrubland and grassland, and bare land and rocks. The largest plant species diversity group had an H' < 0.0195 (230 - plant species). The medium group H' ranged from ≥ 0.0195 - ≤ 0.0504 (55-plant species), and the largest H' group ranged from ≥ 0.0649 - ≤ 0.3358 with only 10 plant species. The plant species with the largest abundance had also the largest H’, and D, and hence were suggested to be the most abundant. The A, number of species (S), H’, and ID were suggested to differ significantly within the land cover types. The floristic diversity findings establish their presence and create awareness towards the conservation strategy priorities for Tanzania Forest Agency. The survey team recommends further research on biological species of IFR, participatory forest management to stimulate the sense of ownership responsibility, implementation of laws and bylaws, land cover types gaps restoration, introduction of non-woody income-generating projects, provision of regular education to the community, awareness creation on forest resources conservation, ensure permanent boundaries beacons.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-33
Author(s):  
Canisius John Kayombo ◽  
Henry Joseph Ndangalasi ◽  
Cosmas Mligo ◽  
Richard Alphonce Giliba ◽  
Deo D Shirima

Evaluating the aboveground carbon stocks is important for scientific awareness of the vegetation condition. The study was conducted from August to September 2019 to quantify the aboveground carbon (AGC) stocks in Afromontane vegetation of Image Forest Reserve (IFR), in southern highlands of Tanzania. Ground surveys were conducted to identify the existing land cover types in IFR. A total of 170, 20 m x 40 m rectangular sample plots were systematically set on the land cover types at an interval of 250 m. The standing tree species with DBH ≥5 cm were identified and measured for their DBH (cm) at 1.3 m from the ground. Tree stumps were measured at 5 cm from the ground. Allometric equations were used to calculate the aboveground biomass and multiplied by a carbon factor of 0.47 (0.5) to get AGC.  ANOVA was applied to compare the AGC within land cover types. Grounded on this study’s findings, an overall AGtC Ha-1 per land cover type ranged from 7,190.59 ± 9.49. Forest stored the largest AGtC Ha-1 (7,190.59) trailed by woodland (1,662.13), shrub land and grassland (171.54), and bare land and rock outcrops (9.49). The calculated AGC of each tree species per hectare (AGtC Ha-1) ranged from 878.14 ± 0.02. This study revealed a significant difference in AGtC Ha–1 within the forest, woodland, shrub land and grassland, bare land and rock outcrops. Out of the 187 measured tree species, 7 were known to contribute the highest AGtC Ha-1 (878.14 ± 411.61), 14 were in the medium category (322.42 ± 103.28), 53 each contributed low (94.31 ± 10.00), and 113 each contributed very low (9.28 ± 0.02). Further study is needed to assess the whole carbon stored by IFR, encourage tree planting at homesteads to reduce logging in the natural forest, and provision of conservation education.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 194008292199541
Author(s):  
Xavier Haro-Carrión ◽  
Bette Loiselle ◽  
Francis E. Putz

Tropical dry forests (TDF) are highly threatened ecosystems that are often fragmented due to land-cover change. Using plot inventories, we analyzed tree species diversity, community composition and aboveground biomass patterns across mature (MF) and secondary forests of about 25 years since cattle ranching ceased (SF), 10–20-year-old plantations (PL), and pastures in a TDF landscape in Ecuador. Tree diversity was highest in MF followed by SF, pastures and PL, but many endemic and endangered species occurred in both MF and SF, which demonstrates the importance of SF for species conservation. Stem density was higher in PL, followed by SF, MF and pastures. Community composition differed between MF and SF due to the presence of different specialist species. Some SF specialists also occurred in pastures, and all species found in pastures were also recorded in SF indicating a resemblance between these two land-cover types even after 25 years of succession. Aboveground biomass was highest in MF, but SF and Tectona grandis PL exhibited similar numbers followed by Schizolobium parahyba PL, Ochroma pyramidale PL and pastures. These findings indicate that although species-poor, some PL equal or surpass SF in aboveground biomass, which highlights the critical importance of incorporating biodiversity, among other ecosystem services, to carbon sequestration initiatives. This research contributes to understanding biodiversity conservation across a mosaic of land-cover types in a TDF landscape.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-26
Author(s):  
A.F. Chukwuka ◽  
A. Alo ◽  
O.J. Aigbokhan

This study set out to assess the dynamic characteristics of the Ikere forest reserve landscape between 1985 and 2017 using remote sensing data and spatial metrics. Landscape of the study area maintained complex patterns of spatial heterogeneity over the years. Forest cover loss to other land cover types results in new large non-forest area at increasing rate. As at the year 2017, the changes in land cover types were not yet at equilibrium, thus the need to determine the future forest cover extent using a three-way markov Chain model. The decrease in number of patches of forest land (NumP) with increase in its mean patch size (MPS) shows that the forest is becoming a single unit probably due to clearing of existing patches of forest trees. The decrease in class diversity and evenness (SDI and SEI) of the general landscape over the years strengthens this assertion. The findings of this study would be very helpful to government and other stakeholders responsible for ensuring sustainable forest and general environment. Keyword: Landscape, Spatial metrics, sustainable forest and Environment


1970 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Pokharel ◽  
Madhu Chhetri ◽  
Chiranjibi P Upadhyaya

Limited information is available on the species composition, above ground biomass and its relations to grazing in a trans-Himalayan rangeland. Its assessment is essential for long term conservation and management. In the present study, we compared species composition, phenology, diversity index and biomass between controlled (without grazing) and open (free grazing) plots to assess the effects of grazing in the selected experimental sites of Upper Mustang during July and November 2005. Species encountered were classified as high, medium, low and non palatable and in three life form categories-grasses, shrubs and forbs. The experimental sites are dominated by forbs (80%) followed by grasses (15%) and shrubs (5%). Disturbance caused by grazing affects the phenological characteristics of the plant community. Result also reveals that species diversity, maximum possible diversity, evenness and species richness was higher in the grazed plots during July and November. A comparison of the aboveground biomass in July showed that mean percentage biomass of high, medium and low palatable species is higher in ungrazed plots. In November, the percentage biomass of only medium palatable species was higher in ungrazed plots and rest of the category is higher in grazed plots. Significant difference in July, a peak growing seasons for most of the plant species in the region reveals that the pasture has impact of livestock grazing. Keywords: Biomass, diversity, grazing effect, rangeland, species Banko Janakari: A journal of forestry information for Nepal Vol.17(1) 2007 pp.25-31


Land ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulugheta Ghebreslassie Araia ◽  
Paxie Wanangwa Chirwa ◽  
Eméline Sêssi Pélagie Assédé

Using landscape moderation insurance and Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH) as frameworks, this study assessed the response of local assemblage among different land use regimes (mean β-diversity), using the Jaccard dissimilarity matrix in contrasting Human Modified Forest Landscapes (HMFLs). The study was conducted at the relatively simplified Mafhela Forest Reserve and the complex Thathe Vondo Forest Reserve in South Africa. The patterns of overall β-diversity between HMFL and State-protected Indigenous Forests (SIF) were compared and the leading change drivers were then untangled. This study found that human disturbance affects mean β-diversity of local assemblages among land use regimes between the two HMFLs in an ecologically contrasting manner. The HMFL in Mafhela Forest Reserve had distinct local assemblages among land use regimes and did not conform to the expectation of IDH. On average, HMFL had the same average local species richness as SIF, mainly due to change in species composition (species replacement) induced by land use disturbance. Land use intensity gradient was the leading change driver to explain the overall β-diversity of the Mafhela Forest Reserve. The findings in the Thathe Vondo Forest Reserve were in contrast with the Mafhela Forest Reserve. Although on average the HMFL had the same local species richness as SIFs, this was mainly due to a trade-off of species gain in trees along the rivers and streams and species loss in Culturally Protected Areas (sacred forests) (CPA) as expected by IDH. The contrasting findings imply that the effectiveness of any alternative conservation strategy is context-dependent. The resilience of local assemblages and conservation value of HMFL depends on the condition of the overall forest landscape complexity and cannnot be captured by one theory, nor by one species diversity matrix (e.g., β-diversity or Richness). It thus demands the application of complementary theoretical frameworks and multilevel modeling.


Author(s):  
I. Ibrahim ◽  
A. Abu Samah ◽  
R. Fauzi ◽  
N. M. Noor

Land cover type is an important signature that is usually used to understand the interaction between the ground surfaces with the local temperature. Various land cover types such as high density built up areas, vegetation, bare land and water bodies are areas where heat signature are measured using remote sensing image. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of land surface temperature on land cover types. The objectives are 1) to analyse the mean temperature for each land cover types and 2) to analyse the relationship of temperature variation within land cover types: built up area, green area, forest, water bodies and bare land. The method used in this research was supervised classification for land cover map and mono window algorithm for land surface temperature (LST) extraction. The statistical analysis of post hoc Tukey test was used on an image captured on five available images. A pixel-based change detection was applied to the temperature and land cover images. The result of post hoc Tukey test for the images showed that these land cover types: built up-green, built up-forest, built up-water bodies have caused significant difference in the temperature variation. However, built up-bare land did not show significant impact at p&lt;0.05. These findings show that green areas appears to have a lower temperature difference, which is between 2° to 3° Celsius compared to urban areas. The findings also show that the average temperature and the built up percentage has a moderate correlation with R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; = 0.53. The environmental implications of these interactions can provide some insights for future land use planning in the region.


Author(s):  
V. K. M. Del Mundo ◽  
C. L. Tiburan Jr.

Abstract. Land Surface Temperature (LST) is said to be affected by frequent changes in the land cover. Over the years, the immediate environs of Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) have experienced such kind of change due to rapid economic growth of the area that also led to the expansion of urban centers. The study utilized Landsat imageries to determine the possible effects of land cover change on surface temperature using the integration of remote sensing and GIS technologies. Initially, the multispectral bands were radiometrically corrected using Dark Object Subtraction (DOS) while the thermal bands were corrected using Land Surface Emissivity (LSE). After these corrections were applied, the images were classified using supervised image classification technique where seven land cover types have been identified. The classified images were then validated using 200 reference data and this revealed an overall accuracy of 87.5% and 86.0% for the May 2003 and July 2015 images, respectively. Results showed that changes in land cover resulted to a significant change in Land Surface Temperature (LST). The LST in 2003 (16.49°C – 40.44°C) was found higher than that of 2015 which was observed between 13.35°C and 33.83°C only. The reason behind this is the increase in green spaces from 2003 to 2015. Among the major land cover types, forest lands exhibited the lowest mean surface temperature for both years having 27.27°C in 2003 and 21.35°C in 2015 while built-up areas had the highest surface temperature having 32.60°C in 2003 and 26.00°C in 2015.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-46
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Tertsea Ikyaagba ◽  
Joseph Asen Jande ◽  
Mercy Kpadoo Abiem

Forests are considered to be the very basis for human existence as they touch virtually every aspect of human endeavour. Despite the numerous benefits of forests, the world is experiencing unprecedented degradation of forest and its resources; this is mainly attributed to land use and land cover (LULC) change. Therefore, monitoring of these changes has become a necessity. Hence, the use of remotely sensed data in conjunction with GIS for land use and land cover analysis of Tse Gavar community forest in Vandeikya Local Government Area would definitely enhance the available data for sustainable management and promotion of community forest in the State. This study made use of mostly secondary data from pre-existing satellites imageries. The Landsat TM for 1986, Landsat ETM+ for 2001 and 2012 as well as OLI for 2018 images were sourced from the Earthexplorer platform from United States Geological Surveys (USGS), Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) and GloVis. Images were subjected to various image processing techniques and supervised classification was carried out on the various images. The classification resulted in classes of farmland, other vegetation, forest area and bare land. The percentage of LULC in Tse Gavar Forest Reserve indicated that farmland increased from 5.78% in 1986 to 18.25% in 2018.  Shrubland also increased from 3.06% in 1986 to 21.08% in 2018. Forested area decreased from 84.17% in 1986 to 59.38% in 2018. The magnitude of land use/land cover change within the 32 years period showed that 9.36 Ha of the forest area was lost to other forms of land use, the bare land area lost within the period was 0.09 Ha to other land uses.  Farmland area increased by 4.32 Ha within the period, shrubland increased by 5078.88 km2.  It was established that just like other protected areas, land use and land cover changes are going on in the Tse Gavar community forest reserve. Enrichment planting of the reserve was recommended.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 350-358
Author(s):  
WANDA KUSWANDA ◽  
AHMAD DANY SUNANDAR

Kuswanda W, Sunandar AD. 2019. Analysis of land use change and its relation to land potential and elephant habitat at Besitang Watershed, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 350-358. Land use change from forest into plantation at a watershed could be detrimental both for humans and wildlife. This study was aimed to analyze land use change and its impact on the habitat potential of Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus Temminck, 1857) in the upstream of Besitang Watershed located at Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP), North Sumatra, Indonesia. The study was conducted from April to November 2015. Data collection was made through land cover map analysis, ground check and vegetation analysis using strip transect method. Land use change was analyzed using ArcView 3.2 software, species diversity was calculated using Shannon-Weiner formula and community evenness indices. Based on map delineation, total extent of Besitang Watershed is about 95,428 hectares. The analysis results showed that, in the past 25 years, about 15,989 hectares of land was changed from forests and farms to monoculture plantations. These changes have caused conflicts and threatened elephant population. As many as 168 species of plants were identified during vegetation analysis in the three study locations, namely Bukit Mas primary forest (88 species), Sekundur mixed secondary forest (91 species) and Halaban secondary forest (68 species). Average Importance Value Index (IVI) was below 40% which indicates that there are no dominant plant species. Tree density was between 360 and 497,5 individual/ha, sapling density was between 2,640 and 4,680 individual/ha, and density of seedling and understory plants was between 27,750 and 38,500 individual/ha. Species diversity index for each plant growth stage was relatively high (H’>3) and the similarity of plant species across locations was generally low (IS = <50%). Analysis of the correlation between land cover differences and habitat features showed statistically significant effects on species density and frequency. The highest effect of land cover change is on species density with the correlation reaching 94.5%. Forests in GLNP will be able to regenerate naturally to reach a stable state if there is no more land clearing to raise plantations.


2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 1128-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
SIMON M. SMART ◽  
ROBERT H. MARRS ◽  
MIKE G. LE DUC ◽  
KEN THOMPSON ◽  
ROBERT G. H. BUNCE ◽  
...  

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