Do Coastal Forests of Tanzania have the Potential to Undergo Natural Vegetation Restoration?
Journal Title: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science - Year 2016, Vol 13, Issue 2
Abstract
Aim: To determine soil seed bank as a basis for forest restoration through natural regeneration in the Zaraninge and Mbwebwe coastal forests in Bagamoyo District Tanzania. Study Design: Temporary concentric sample plots of size 0.07 ha established systematically along transect lines that run parallel to each other was used. The sampling intensity was 0.02%. The distance between plots was 100 m and between transect lines was 200 m. Place of the Study: Soil samples were collected at Zaraninge and Mbwebwe coastal forests in Bagamoyo District Tanzania. Methodology: Eighteen sample plots of size 0.07 were established systematically along transect lines on each of the two forests to cover as much variations as possible. Soil samples were collected within each plot at 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm depths. Soil sample were analyzed for frequency of germination and seed density of different plant species at the different depths. Results: The seed bank density for vascular plants was 2,782 seeds m-2 and 1,170 seeds m-2 for Zaraninge and Mbwebwe forest respectively. A total of 71 seedlings belonging to 17 species and 10 families emerged from all samples of the two forests, most of them being herbs and grasses. The number of germinants decreased with increasing soil depth in both forests as most seeds germinating from the 0-10 cm soil depth and least 10 germinants in 20-30 cm stratum. Conclusion: Forest restoration through natural soil seed bank may greatly depend on the seed bank at the surface soil horizons.
Authors and Affiliations
N. E. Pima, L. Mbwambo, J. Maguzu, N. Byakugila
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351433
- DOI 10.9734/IJPSS/2016/29541
- Views 107
- Downloads 0
Germination, Seedling Growth and Biochemical Responses of Amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolour L.) and Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) at Varying Chromium Concentrations
The main objective of present investigation was to evaluate the impact of different concentrations of hexavalent chromium on germination and seedling growth responses of Amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.) and Sesame (Se...
Effects of Different Sewage Sludge Concentrations on the Soil Microorganism Sensibility and Metals Accumulation during Helianthus annuus L. Cultivation
The agricultural use of sewage sludge have been presented as an alternative both to reduce the volume of this environmental liability as to obtain a product to be used in agricultural soils as fertilizer. However, when t...
Evaluation of Corn Genotypes for Resistance to Sesamia inferens
Corn, as the second most important cereal cultivated in Afghanistan, is subjected to numerous biotic and abiotic stresses limiting its productivity. Sesamia inferens is a polyphagous pest attacking this crop that causes...
Salinity Change in Different Soil Layers of Tomato Irrigated with Salty Water
Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stress factors that limit crop productivity, especially affecting the growth of plants in arid and semi-arid regions. These adverse effects of salt stress, which affects growth and...
Effect of Conservation Tillage on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Silty-Clay Loam Soil
Effect of different tillage methods on the physical and mechanical properties of silty-clay loam soil was evaluated in corn-wheat system during 2011 in Fars Province, Iran. Field trial was conducted in the split plot des...