High Seedling Recruitment of indigenous Tree Species in Forest Plantations in Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya

background

The study evaluates the potential for seedling recruitment of indigenous tree species in different types of plantations and secondary forest in western Kenya. The plantations are comprised of mixtures and monocultures of single or exotic indigenous tree species.

Research Goals & Methods

The authors use two methods to determine the vegetation structure of each forest type: vertical foliage height using the Shannon diversity index and seedling mapping. Statistical analyses of data were conducted using ANOVA and PCA.

Conclusions & Takeaways

The results show significant differences in tree communities among the studied forest types. However, recruiting seedling communities showed smaller differences suggesting that tree plantations have the potential to develop into more natural forests over time.  In this study, distances (0.4-1.7km) to natural forest stands had no effect on seedling diversity or total number of individuals. This contradicts other studies showing that proximity to remaining natural forests promotes rapid seedling recruitment in nearby areas.