Scattered populations of the same tree species in montane forests through Africa have led to speculations on the origins of distributions. Here, we inferred the colonization history of the Afromontane tree Prunus africana using seven chloroplast DNA loci to study 582 individuals from 32 populations sampled in a range-wide survey from across Africa, revealing 22 haplotypes. The predominant haplotype, HT1a, occurred in 13 populations of eastern and southern Africa, while a second common haplotype, HT1m, occurred in populations of western Uganda and western Africa. The high differentiation observed between populations in East Africa was unexpected, with stands in western Uganda belonging with the western African lineage. High genetic differentiation among populations revealed using ordered alleles (N ST = 0.840) compared with unordered alleles (G ST = 0.735), indicated a clear phylogeographic pattern. Bayesian coalescence modelling suggested that 'east' and 'west' African types likely split early during southward migration of the species, while further more recent splitting events occurred among populations in the East of the continent. The high genetic similarity found between western Uganda and west African populations indicates that a former Afromontane migration corridor may have existed through Equatorial Africa.

Prunus africana--an evergreen tree found in Afromontane forests--is used in traditional medicine to cure benign prostate hyperplasia. Different bioactive constituents derived from bark extracts from 20 tree populations sampled throughout the species' natural range in Africa were studied by means of GC-MSD. The average concentration [mg/kgw/w] in increasing order was: lauric acid

The observed patterns indicate divergent population history across the continent most likely associated to Pleistocene changes in climatic conditions. The high genetic similarity between populations of West Africa with population of East Africa west of the ERV is in agreement with faunistic and floristic patterns and provides further evidence for a historical migration route. Contrasting estimates of recent and historical gene flow indicate a shift of the main barrier to gene flow from the Lake Victoria basin to the ERV, highlighting the dynamic environmental and evolutionary history of the region.

The role of domestication in conserving indigenous plant diversity on farmlands was studied in West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania by structured, semi‐structured and unstructured interviews; participant observation; literature review and botanical identification in March 2006. There was high diversity of indigenous plant species on farmlands (73%) compared with exotics (27%). For the number of plants per species, a small proportion of indigenous plants (14%) were recorded compared with exotics (86%). Although the number of domesticated indigenous plant species has declined by 8% between 1998 and 2006, still 96% of the respondents practise domestication and they have domesticated at least one indigenous plant species each. Gender equity in domestication is lacking given that male‐headed households had domesticated significantly more plant species on farms than female‐headed households. Sustainability in domestication is questionable because of increasing number of exotic plants of very few species on farmlands, the phenomenon that encourages monoculture, thus threatening conservation of species diversity in inhabited areas. Suggestions for promoting domestication as an important indigenous method for conserving biodiversity are given, including the need for more number of studies to explore the biodiversity of other organisms associated with the domesticated indigenous plants.

Why is the beekeeping sector in Tanzania less productive? The average annual productivity of a bee colony is estimated to be 15 kgs and 2 kgs of honey and wax respectively. But the condition is Tanzania scandalous: Why is it the case? The study analyses the potential challenges to the underperformance of bee colonies in Tanzania. This study used an experimental design, and qualitative approach to analyze the productivity of bee colonies in Tanzania. The sample was selected through a purposive approach and data were collected through interviews and observation. The Current-Tree-Reality of the Thinking Process techniques was used to identify constraints that limit the productivity of the beekeeping sector in Tanzania. Size of the colony, bee species, availability of fodder, technology, knowledge and skills, and post-harvest losses were constantly mentioned as underlying factors limiting productivity in the beekeeping sector. Other factors include occupancy rate, human activities like farming/agriculture, bee diseases, and pests and predators. We concluded that the size of the colony, availability of fodder, and bee species are the limiting factors for colony productivity in Tanzania. A study on bee breeding, colony selection, and productive bee species is suggested. The study provides empirical evidence and theoretical understanding of beekeeping, colony productivity, and theory of constraints to researchers, beekeepers, and policymakers.