Regeneration of Indigenous Trees in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda

background

This study examines the dominant exotic species, their distribution and effect on the regeneration of indigenous tree species in the formerly encroached area of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, southwestern Uganda. The 4 habitat types examined were exotic woodlots, old croplands and natural forest habitat.

Research Goals & Methods

Indigenous species diversity was assessed by systematic sampling of the vegetation and soils in transect plots.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Regeneration of indigenous species were higher in the natural forests, followed by cropland and then the exotic woodlots. The most dominant species was N. congesta in both natural forest and old croplands, while H. revolutum was the most dominant canopy species in the exotic woodlots. Similar to other findings exotic plantations that replace natural forests usually have fewer indigenous species and contain different species from the natural forests they replaced. The authors highlight the significance of high seedling densities in all habitat types as an important key in determining the composition and establishment of early successional communities. Also, high seedling densities gives an idea of the recovery potential of each forest type.