A Ecological Baseline Surveys Of: - Lake Bisina - Nature Uganda

4.1.3 Plant diversity
Plants offer potential advantages over other taxa as biodiversity indicators because they are
the primary producers. Their abundance and diversity is likely to influence the species richness
belonging to higher trophic levels (Kent et al. 1996). An inventory of all plant species was carried
out in the study site.
4.1.4 Physical and ecological features
This wetland system is an Acacia-Echinochloa-Cyperus wetland associated with grasses and
scattered thickets of Allophylus abyssinica and other forest colonisers. It has been highly modified
by human activities through farming and cutting of the natural vegetation.
4.1.5 Land tenure and status
The site lies partly within a gazetted National Park and communal land. The main activities are
subsistance farming and fishing.
4.1.6 Study objectives and methods.
4.1.6.1 The specific objectives of this vegetation survey were to:
i. Produce guiding methods of wetland vegetation assessment for the two systems.
ii. Establish baseline information on wetland vegetation richness or diversity.
iii. Identify indicator species that may be used as eco-system vegetation monitoring.
iv. Take appropriate GPS coordinates of surveyed areas (including for secondary data)
v. Make field observations and descriptions as supportive information to the report.
vi. Explore existing surveys report and use as supporting data where appropriate.
vii. Produce a comprehensive report on the wetland vegetation diversity (Checklist).
4.1.6.2 Methods
The following general approaches were adopted as a basis for assessing the flora.
Sampling: Sampling points were selected in such a way that a maximum number of strata were
represented at a given site as a way of minimising time spent on movement to sample different
strata. Vegetation strata (layers) were identified and for each layer the percentage cover for the
species was estimated visually and recorded. Opportunistic sampling was also applied especially
for the micro habitats registered in the study area.
Layer code: The layer codes were by height not habitat. Tree layers were ranging between 3 - >5
m high. In this class for example, papyrus which is a sedge, if it was >3m, was recorded here and
likewise, a tree seedling that was