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Vol. 5 No. 2 (2016)

Changes in Forest Composition, Edaphic Factors and Exploitation Pressure Between Edge and Interior Habitats in The Kimboza Forest in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v5i2.145
David S.

Corresponding Author(s) : David S.

david.kacholi@duce.ac.tz

Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), Vol. 5 No. 2 (2016)

Abstract

Biodiversity loss is linked to the destruction and fragmentation of tropical forest
ecosystems. This study was conducted at Kimboza forest located in Morogoro region,
Tanzania. The main goal was to compare the forest edge and interior habitats in terms
of tree species richness, stand structure, soil moisture, organic matter and
exploitation pressure. All trees with DBH ? 10cm were sampled from 6 plots of
0.04ha placed in each habitat. A total of 217 individuals from 49 tree species and 21
families were recorded in both habitats. Of the total recorded species, 37% were
common, while 22% and 41% occurred exclusively at the edge and interior,
respectively. The species richness, tree density, basal area, soil organic matter and
moisture were significantly higher in the forest interior than the edge. On the
contrary, the number of stumps per hectare was significantly higher in the edge (3.8)
than interior (1.8). The Sørensen coefficient of similarity among the two habitats was
0.54, signifying the presence of uniqueness among the habitats. In summary, the
findings suggest that the two habitats are unique and different in terms of species
composition, species richness, stand structure, soil moisture, organic matter and
anthropogenic exploitation pressure.

Keywords

basal area, biodiversity, fragmentation, forest edge, species richness, stand structure
Changes in Forest Composition, Edaphic Factors and Exploitation Pressure Between Edge and Interior Habitats in The Kimboza Forest in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. (2022). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 5(2). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v5i2.145
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Changes in Forest Composition, Edaphic Factors and Exploitation Pressure Between Edge and Interior Habitats in The Kimboza Forest in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. (2022). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 5(2). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v5i2.145
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