Frontier Tanzania Environmental Research REPORT 110 ...

Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve
44
80
Incidence along transect
(% of transect length with disturbance present)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
North Bdr
0
Fire damage
Charcoal
Pitsaw
Timber/planks/poles
Trapping
Cultivation
Grazing
Footpath
Clearing
Figure 15 Specific locations along Transect E of forms of disturbance other than pole and timber
cutting.
5.4.6 CHARCOAL PRODUCTION
Areas near to the reserve borders (particularly in the north-west and north-east) would appear to
have suffered most heavily from charcoal production, although no activities were taking place
during the survey period (probably a seasonal pattern).
5.4.7 ANIMAL TRAPPING
A significant number of traps were seen in the northern part of the reserve, north of the railway.
Most traps were snares for small antelope such as suni (Neotragus moschatus) and duiker
(Cephalophus sp.). Traps were deliberately placed in low canopy habitats with a high density of
vines. Animal trapping between VP3 and VP14 was intense.
5.4.8 PITSAWING
Although little pitsaw activity was seen along transect lines, fresh pitsaw platforms were seen in
Kazimzumbwi FR during other survey work. Pitsawers were heard on a daily basis in southern
parts of the survey area. The main access route for pitsawers seemed to be the Buyuni to
Vigama/Kazimzumbwi village footpath that passes through the middle of the forest reserve.
Large areas of forest between transect E and D and near to Trapsite 7 (see Figure 16) have been
destroyed by recent harvesting activities.
5.4.9 FIRE
No recent fires were seen, probably because the study was conducted soon after the long rainy
season. However, past fire damaged areas were seen on northern borders of the reserve. Fire has
altered the structure of the forest significantly in these areas and secondary grassland and
woodland habitats now exist.
Frontier-TanzaniaCoastal Forest Research Programme