Regeneration Pattern and Size-Class Distribution of Indigenous Woody Species in Exotic Plantation in Pugu Forest Reserve, Tanzania

background

This study examines the natural regeneration of indigenous tree species in an exotic tree plantation adjacent to a natural forest in a coastal forest of Tanzania.

Research Goals & Methods

Four dominant indigenous tree species were identified in the exotic plantation with diameter size classes between 10 to 35cm.

Conclusions & Takeaways

There were fewer species in the Pugu natural forest compared to similar coastal forest types with similar habitat conditions in the region. This is attributed to the high exploitation in the Pugu forest reserve compared to others.  Eucalyptus maidenii fostered the regeneration of native species such as Pteleopsis myrtifolia and Afzelia quanzensis. In the plantations, the native species identified were different from those of the natural forest.  The regenerant species in the plantation originated from recent selectively exploited tree species from both natural forest and the plantation stands and or seedbank. The authors assert that exotic species colonization was poor which enabled native tree species to regenerate naturally and to outcompete them. They recommend that the exotic tree species fostered the regeneration of native species, although some indigenous species may not have regenerated to coexist with exotic trees regardless of soil seedbank.