Frontier Tanzania Environmental Research REPORT 110 ...

Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve
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5.2 AIMS
• Quantify the intensity of pole and timber extraction per hectare along transect lines to give an
indication of the rates/sustainability and sites of extraction.
• Compare quantified anthropogenic extraction with natural death along transect lines.
• Document all disturbance observations and intensities in order to form priorities for
conservation management.
5.3 METHODS
Disturbance transects were used to record the intensity of pole cutting and logging systematically
throughout the forest reserve. Disturbance transects were positioned diagonally across an
imaginary 1.2 km x 1.2 km grid, running north-east, south-west across the reserve (Figure 5).
Each transect was sampled from the northern border to a southern extent at grid reference 9230 (S
6 o 58’00”) 3 (Figure 5).
Every self-standing tree (not creepers or lianas) above 5cm diameter at breast height (dbh) was
measured within an area 5m either side of each transect line. Each plant was recorded under one
of four categories: live, old cut, new cut or naturally dead or fallen. Old cutting was identified by
darkening and rotting of a cut stump, and was assumed to have been cut more than 6 month prior
to surveying. New cutting was identified by fresh cream or green cut stumps and assumed to have
been cut less than six months prior to sampling. Within these categories a distinction was made
between poles and timbers. Poles were classified as having a dbh between 5 and 15cm and a
minimum 3m relatively straight trunk. Timber was classified as having a dbh greater than 15cm
with a minimum 3m relatively straight trunk. These divisions are based on differences in use.
Timber and pole cutting data are presented as an average per hectare.
All other forms of anthropogenic disturbance within an area 5m either side of each transect were
also recorded for every 50m section. Other forms of disturbance were defined as follows:
1. Fire damage – an area affected by fire, evidence included burnt trees and ground vegetation.
2. Charcoal – an area where charcoal was burnt in the forest, evidence included small patches of
burnt ground with charcoal remains.
3. Pitsaw – an area obviously cleared for pitsaw activities, with pitsaw platform, or remains of
such.
4. Timber/planks/poles – cut timber, planks or cut poles laying on the ground ready for
transportation.
5. Trapping – animal traps of all varieties whether set or sprung.
6. Cultivation – evidence of crop cultivation (past or present).
7. Grazing – direct evidence or remains of cattle or goat grazing.
8. Footpath – including all human used footpaths.
9. Clearing - well-established clearings within the forest as a consequence of human disturbance
(usually short grassland, potentially previous settlement).
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Forest Officers advised this to be the southern limit of fieldwork as a consequence of recent unrest in
local communities in the south of the reserve.
Frontier-TanzaniaCoastal Forest Research Programme