Flora Biodiversity Assessment in Bonga, Boginda and Mankira Forest

2.12 An attempt was made to collect lichens, mosses, liverworts, epiphytes, and fungi. These
plants were not encountered within 1m X 1m quadrants. However, outside the quadrant,
on a tree bole, branches and dead woods quite large amount of such plants were
observed. Fern species that are encountered within 1 m X 1m are recorded.
2.13 Each plant species encountered within transect is identified by its vernacular and
scientific names and tallied. Most of the trees and shrubs are identified. Those species
that could not be identified on the field were taken to the AAU National Herbarium, for
identification. Trees and shrubs less than 10 cm diameter and higher than 1.3 meter are
considered as saplings. Tree, shrub and lianas less than 1.3 meters high are recorded as
regeneration.
2.14 Within each 1m X 1m quadrant small herbaceous plants, grasses, trees and shrub
seedlings were surveyed (photo 19 & 20). Tree and shrub seedlings are recorded
separately.
2.15 Important observations noted as threats to forest are:
♦ Agricultural expansion, both for subsistence and commercial purpose, (including fire)this
phenomena is pressurizing the forests in almost all directions.
♦ Settlement (wood for construction and fuel); settlements in the area seem to be formed
as a competition for land with no pattern.
♦ Free grazing in the forest.
3 RESULTS
In this section major land covers and their extent is analyzed based on remote sensing and
GIS; number of individuals and species recorded within each stratum are presented.
3.1. Major land covers
Seven major land covers are identified, namely Bamboo Forest, Dense Forest, Disturbed
Forest, Intensively Cultivated, Moderately Cultivated, Highly Disturbed Forest, Wetland (map 2
& figure 1). The total size of the study area and extent of each land cover is illustrated in
Table 1 below.
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