Density and species diversity of trees in four tropical forests of the Albertine rift, western Uganda

Eilu, Gerald; Hafashimana, David; Kasenene, John

doi:10.1111/j.1366-9516.2004.00089.x

Cited by 44 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…(Previous studies reported higher BA in Budongo plots [28,62]). Very large trees were rarer than expected in Bulindi, and BA had probably decreased due to recent removal of large stems for timber; even light-to-moderate logging causes marked reductions in BA [33,64].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protected Apes, Unprotected Forest: Composition, Structure and Diversity of Riverine Forest Fragments and Their Conservation Value in Uganda

McLennan

Plumptre

2012

Tropical Conservation Science

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Small forest fragments are common in anthropogenic landscapes in the tropics. These have conservation value if they provide habitat for threatened wildlife and maintain connectivity between larger habitats. Riverine forests have particular 'corridor' potential due to their linear shape, but are under-studied in many regions. We surveyed trees in riverine fragments in Bulindi, an anthropogenic landscape 25 km south of the Budongo Forest in western Uganda, to determine their condition and assess their value for wildlife, particularly endangered chimpanzees Pan troglodytes. We assessed tree composition, structure and diversity and compared results with a previous survey made in Budongo, the nearest main forest block. Riverine fragments were considerably less species-dense and species-rich than Budongo. Community composition differed markedly between sites and there was virtually no overlap in common species. Common trees in fragments were characteristic of East African swamp and groundwater forests (e.g. the palm Phoenix reclinata) and the dominant tree family was the Moraceae, members of which produce fleshy fruits attractive to frugivores (e.g. figs). Important fruit foods for chimpanzees differed between habitats. While basal area of important fruit trees was comparable, overall density was greater in fragments. Our data suggest the riverine fragments offer a relatively food-dense habitat for chimpanzees and other frugivores. Small riverine forests have little or no protection regionally and are being extensively logged and cleared for agriculture. Species logged for timber in Bulindi included important chimpanzee fruit trees. Unless conservation projects successfully reverse current trends, the value of the riverine corridors for maintaining connectivity between main forest blocks is limited.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protected Apes, Unprotected Forest: Composition, Structure and Diversity of Riverine Forest Fragments and Their Conservation Value in Uganda

McLennan

Plumptre

2012

Tropical Conservation Science

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“…Floristic composition and its relationship to environmental factors have become recent topic investigation: numerous studies have shown that the distribution of vegetation types and floristic patterns are most associated with environ-mental factors, including local variables/topographic factors (elevation, slope aspect, slope degree), soil factors (a soil's physical and chemical properties) (Huang 2002;Eilu 2004;Jones et al 2006;Jabeen and Ahmad 2009;Tavili et al 2009;Zhang et al 2012), and factors related to human impact (Enright et al 2005;Hoang et al 2011). Among these environmental variables, soil type and topographic variables are the most significant factors affecting species diversity and the woody vegetation of a locality (Hejcmanova-Nezerková and Hejcman 2006;Zhang et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, the distribution of vegetation patterns is mainly controlled by soil factors consisting of organic carbon, total nitrogen, and clay, as well as topographic factors such as elevation (Arekhi et al 2010). The importance of physicochemical soil properties and soil nutrients are key factors influencing tree species richness (Eilu 2004), plant growth, and vegetation development (Zhang and Zhang 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Factors Affecting the Abundance and Presence of Tree Species in a Tropical Lowland Limestone and Non-limestone Forest in Ben En National Park, Vietnam

Nguyen¹,

Mitlöhner²,

Bich³

et al. 2015

Journal of Forest and Environmental Science

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The effect of environmental variables on the presence and abundance of tree species in a tropical lowland undisturbed limestone and non-limestone forest in Ben En National Park, Vietnam was investigated. The relationships between 13 environmental variables and 29 tree species with a DBH ≥10 cm, as well as between six 6 physical variables with 26 species of seedling and sapling communities were assessed by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Data concerning all tree species ≥10 cm DBH were collected from eighteen 400 m 2 sample plots, while the abundance of regeneration (all individuals ≤5 cm DBH) was counted in fifty 2x20 m strip-plots. The significance of species-environments correlations were tested by distribution-free Monte Carlo tests. The CCA of the 29 examined tree species and 13 environmental variables indicated that the presence and abundance of the tree species were closely related to topographic factors. We may confirm that soil properties including pH, soil moisture content, and soil textures, were the most crucial factor in tree species composition and their distribution. Several species including Pometia pinnata, Amesiodendron chinense, Gironniera cuspidate, Cinnamomum mairei, and Caryodaphnopsis tonkinensis were not controlled by soil properties and topographic variables. The CCA also indicated that the abundance of regeneration tree species at all sites had positive and significant correlations with soil depth, while the occurrence of several other tree species (such as Koilodepas longifolium and Aglaia dasyclada) was positively correlated with a higher slope and rocky outcrop.

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“…Studies by [13] Post eviction resettlement is a threat to the habitat important wild animals causing their migration and eventual loss. Land use change from woodlands to grasslands alters the ecosystem functions that support flora and fauna only endemic to this unique area [15]. As results plants and animal species face difficulties to survive in the new changes leading to migration or mortality and eventually may lead to habitat extinction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Post Eviction Resettlement on Land-Use and Cover Change in Uganda’s Oil Exploration Areas

Ssekandi¹,

Mburu²,

Wasonga³

et al. 2017

JEP

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Evaluation of the changes in land use and land cover change (LULCC) in respect to oil exploration across the Albertine region in Uganda has been focused around the exploration areas and protected areas, with no attention to the potential impacts of evictees' activities on resettled areas. This study used LANDSAT images to analyze the land use and land cover changes (LULCC) among the period before eviction (2002 and 2005) at the climax of eviction and resettlements (2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011), and during the post-resettlement period (2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) to quantify the impacts of resettlements on the environment. LANDSAT images were processed using ERDAS IMAGINE software and analyzed using ArcGIS 10.1 to determine LULCC in relation to post-eviction resettlement in the study area. Results from the study indicate. The results of the study indicate that vegetation reduced by 33.08 percent, woodland were converted into settlements by 48 percent while farmlands increased by 18.3 percent. Non vegetated areas increased during resettlements however they reduced five years after eviction which indicated the ability of the ecosystem to stabilize. The study proved that post eviction induced resettlements can yield potential environmental effects to resettled areas. It is important therefore to plan and implement other means of additional source of income and construction materials for evictees to abate vegetation clearance and hence rescue the woodland. The study also recommends maintenance of an optimum population and well-planned pre eviction resettlement schemes.

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Density and species diversity of trees in four tropical forests of the Albertine rift, western Uganda

Cited by 44 publications

References 37 publications

Protected Apes, Unprotected Forest: Composition, Structure and Diversity of Riverine Forest Fragments and Their Conservation Value in Uganda

Protected Apes, Unprotected Forest: Composition, Structure and Diversity of Riverine Forest Fragments and Their Conservation Value in Uganda

Environmental Factors Affecting the Abundance and Presence of Tree Species in a Tropical Lowland Limestone and Non-limestone Forest in Ben En National Park, Vietnam

Effects of Post Eviction Resettlement on Land-Use and Cover Change in Uganda’s Oil Exploration Areas

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