Mgambo Forest Reserve: A biodiversity survey. - Eastern Arc ...

Mgambo Forest Reserve
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................. v
FOREWORD ............................................................................................................... vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................... viii
1.0 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 1
1.1 THE EAST USAMBARA MOUNTAINS AND FOREST DIVERSITY...........................................................1
1.2 REPORT STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................................3
1.2.1 Flora..................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2.2 Fauna................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.2.1 Birds..............................................................................................................................................4
1.3 MAPS..........................................................................................................................................................4
1.4 DATA AND MONITORING..........................................................................................................................5
1.5 SURVEY PERIOD AND PERSONNEL..........................................................................................................5
2.0 AIMS OF THE SURVEY....................................................................................... 6
3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE FOREST ....................................................................... 7
3.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION...........................................................................................................................7
3.1.1 Description.......................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1.2 Location ............................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1.3 Topography......................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1.4 Land use............................................................................................................................................... 8
3.1.5 History and Status.............................................................................................................................. 8
4.0 VEGETATION .................................................................................................... 11
4.1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................11
4.2 METHODS.................................................................................................................................................11
4.2.1 Forest composition ..........................................................................................................................11
4.2.1.1 Quantitative vegetation analysis ............................................................................................11
4.2.1.2 Opportunistic collection and observation.............................................................................12
4.2.1.3 Disturbance transects ...............................................................................................................12
4.3 RESULTS...................................................................................................................................................14
4.3.1 Quantitative vegetation analysis ...................................................................................................14
4.3.1.1 Vegetation Plots........................................................................................................................14
4.3.1.2 Species Abundance ......................................................................................................................19
4.3.1.4 Endemic Status..............................................................................................................................19
4.3.1.5 Ecological type..............................................................................................................................21
4.3.1.6 Habitat.............................................................................................................................................21
4.3.1.7 Range extensions..........................................................................................................................25
4.3.1.8 Timber species ..............................................................................................................................27
4.3.1.10 Regeneration................................................................................................................................27
4.3.1.12 Opportunistic plant collection and observation.....................................................................28
4.3.2 Disturbance transects......................................................................................................................31
4.3.2.1 Pole and Timber extraction.....................................................................................................31
4.3.2.2 Other signs of disturbance ......................................................................................................36
4.3.2.3 Areas of greatest disturbance .................................................................................................38
4.4 DISCUSSION.............................................................................................................................................40
Species richness .........................................................................................................................................40
Endemic Status...........................................................................................................................................40
Ecological Type..........................................................................................................................................41
Habitat..........................................................................................................................................................41
Range Extensions.......................................................................................................................................41
Regeneration ...............................................................................................................................................41
Disturbance .................................................................................................................................................41
5.0 FAUNA ............................................................................................................... 43
5.1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................43
5.2 METHODS.................................................................................................................................................43
5.2.1 Bucket pitfall traps...........................................................................................................................43
5.2.2 Sherman traps...................................................................................................................................43
5.2.3 Bat mist-netting................................................................................................................................44
East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme Technical Paper 59
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