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Models to assist management of lowland forests in Tanzania are in most cases lacking. Using a sample of 60 trees which were destructively harvested from both dry and wet lowland forests of Dindili in Morogoro Region (30 trees) and Rondo in Lindi Region (30 trees), respectively, this study developed site specific and general models for estimating total tree volume and aboveground biomass. Specifically the study developed (i) height-diameter (ht-dbh) models for trees found in the two sites, (ii) total, merchantable, and branches volume models, and (iii) total and sectional aboveground biomass models of trees found in the two study sites. The findings show that site specific ht-dbh model appears to be suitable in estimating tree height since the tree allometry was found to differ significantly between studied forests. The developed general volume models yielded unbiased mean prediction error and hence can adequately be applied to estimate tree volume in dry and wet lowland forests in Tanzania. General aboveground biomass model appears to yield biased estimates; hence, it is not suitable when accurate results are required. In this case, site specific biomass allometric models are recommended. Biomass allometric models which include basic wood density are highly recommended for improved estimates accuracy when such information is available.

We present an analysis of changes of state, pressures and conservation responses over  years in the Tanzanian portion of the Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa biodiversity hotspot. Baseline data collected during - are compared with data from a synthesis of recently published papers and reports and new field work carried out across the region during -. We show that biodiversity endemism values are largely unchanged, although two new species (amphibian and mammal) have been named and two extremely rare tree species have been relocated. However, forest habitat continues to be lost and degraded, largely as a result of agricultural expansion, charcoal production to supply cities with cooking fuel, logging for timber and cutting of wood for firewood and building poles. Habitat loss is linked to an increase in the number of species threatened over time. The government-managed forest reserve network has expanded slightly but has low effectiveness. Three forest reserves have been upgraded to National Parks and Nature Reserves, which have stricter protection and more effective enforcement. There has also been rapid development of village-owned forest reserves, with more than  now existing; although usually small, they are an important addition to the areas being managed for sustainable resource use, and also provide tangible benefits to local people. Human-use pressures remain intense in many areas, and combined with emerging pressures from mining, gas and oil exploration, many endemic species remain threatened with extinction.

No abstract

Plant species diversity, composition and dominance are important entities in understanding vegetation types. The wood plant species include; trees, shrubs, and woody climbers (lianas/vines). The study was conducted at Mahungu Green Belt Forest Reserve (MGBFR) in 2015 to investigate the woody plant species diversity, composition, and dominance. Systematic random sampling was applied whereby a total of 36 plots of 2500 m2 were set in the seven (7) transects at an interval of 400 m.  Woody plant species were identified for their botanical nomenclature, determined for their abundance. GPS was applied to locate plots, aligning transects and recording coordinates for plot site and map production. 100 m tape was used to set the plots. H' and ID were applied for species diversity and dominance. A total of 129 wood plant species were identified belonging to 38 families and 89 genera. The H' ranged from 0.1831 ± 0.0021, with an overall total of 4.271 while ID ranged from 0.004657 ± 0.000015 with a total of 0.02079 an implication of high wood plant diversity, as the higher the H', and the lower the ID the higher the diversity.  MGBFR consists of high woody plant species diversity. Further study should be done to assess all plant forms of MGBFR, education provision to community, establishment of ecotourism industry to sustain the forest reserve.