Abstract. Mwaluseke ML, Mwakalukwa EE, Maliondo SMS. 2023. Vegetation composition, diversity, stand structure and carbon stock of a dry evergreen montane forest of Lendikinya forest reserve in Tanzania. Biodiversitas 24: 551-562. There is limited information on woody plant diversity and vegetation patterns in African dry forests, particularly in East Africa, and hence increasing the interests in understanding species composition, diversity, and structural attributes of catchment forest reserves found in Tanzania. Moreover, tree species composition, species richness, and carbon stock are not well documented in most montane forests in the region, apart from Ethiopia. Their potential in terms of carbon storage is also important for understanding their productivity and the extent to which they can be used in mitigating the effects of climate change. This study assessed vegetation composition and diversity, stand structure and potential carbon stocks of Lendikinya Forest Reserve, a dry evergreen montane forest located in Monduli District in Tanzania. A total of 56 concentric circular plots with subplots of 2 m, 5 m, 10 m, 15 m and 20 m radii were used to collect woody species data on standing trees and stumps across the entire forest of 3,689 ha. A total of 79 species belonging to 36 families were identified. Drypetes natalensis (9.2%), Diospyros abyssinica (7.1%) and Dombeya rotundifolia (6.5%) were the most important species as per the Importance Value Index (IVI). The diversity indices have indicated the forest reserve to have a high diversity of woody species. Stand structure comprises 1,398 ± 679 stems ha-1, basal area of 11.42 ± 5.41 m2ha-1and standing volume of 54.47 ± 24.1 m3ha-1 while the mean carbon stocks were 16.04 ± 7.7 t C ha-1. The alarming disturbances stress the urgent need for increased conservation efforts in order to protect the existing biodiversity and increase carbon storage and enhance water conservation in the reserve.

Abstract. Mwakalukwa EE, Mwakisu A, Madundo S, Maliondo SMS. 2023. Vegetation composition, diversity, stand structure, and carbon storage of Lolkisale Village Land Forest Reserve in the Northeastern part of Tanzania. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 79-90. Little is known about the effects of human activities on the condition of the Lolkisale Village land Forest reserve located in Monduli District, Arusha region, in the northeastern part of Tanzania. This study assessed the status of woody species diversity, composition, structure, and available potential of the forest on carbon storage. The vegetation data were collected from 33 concentric sample plots of 5 m, 15 m, and 20 m radius laid systematically across the forest area of 960 ha. A total of 58 plant species belonging to 30 families were identified. Diversity indices have indicated a high woody species diversity in the forest reserve. The most important species were Commiphora schimperi (O.Berg) Engl., Dombeya rotundifolia (Hochst.) Planch., Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne, and Combretum molle R.Br. ex G. Don. Stand structure comprises 190 ± 117 stems ha-1, basal area of 7.68 ± 5.17m2ha-1 and standing volume of 64.04 ± 45.85 m3ha-1, while the mean above-ground carbon stocks and the mean below-ground carbon stocks were 19.55 ± 13.38 Mg C ha-1 and 3.91 ± 2.68 Mg C ha-1 respectively. Generally, the reserve was found to be in good condition. The observed high diversity of woody species signifies the importance of legally protecting this area as a village land forest reserve. In addition, quantifying other carbon pools, such as soil, dead wood, and surface litter, should be considered for estimating this forest's total carbon stock potential. In this regard, measures to control the use of the forest as a grazing area would be useful to allow new regrowth and young trees to attain maturity stages without being interfered with by the livestock.

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Abstract. Mwakalukwa EE, Mwakisu A, Maliondo SMS. 2023. Woody species diversity, composition, structure and carbon storage of a dry evergreen montane forest of Essimingor Nature Forest Reserve in Tanzania. Intl J Trop Drylands 7: 26-36. The biodiversity status of flora and fauna of many forests found on small protruding and isolated hills in most parts of dry areas in Tanzania is largely less studied. Their contribution to climate mitigation options also remains largely unknown. This study assessed the woody species diversity, composition, structure and carbon stocks potential of a dry evergreen montane forest of Essimingor Nature Forest Reserve in Tanzania. The vegetation data were collected from 23 concentric sample plots of 5m, 15m, and 20m radius laid systematically across the entire forest area of 6,100 ha. A total of 54 trees and shrubs species belonging to 29 families were identified. Diversity indices indicated the forest to have a high diversity of woody species. The most important species were Cassipourea malosana, Diospyros abyssinica and Drypetes natalensis. Stand structure comprised 288±173 stems ha-1, basal area of 11.47±7.23 m2ha-1 and standing volume of 27.3±16.3 m3ha-1. The mean above-ground and below-ground carbon stocks were 56.93±34.60 Mg C ha-1 and 34.71±19.72 Mg C ha-1, respectively. The observed high species diversity and carbon density signify the importance of conservation efforts bestowed in this reserve. Quantification of other carbon pools for estimation of the total carbon stock potential of this forest is recommended.

Abstract. Mwaluseke ML, Mwakalukwa EE, Maliondo SMS. 2023. Volume and aboveground biomass models for a dry evergreen montane forest in Tanzania. Asian J For 7: 45-53. Models available for accurately estimating trees and shrubs' volume and aboveground biomass from dry evergreen montane forests in Tanzania are largely lacking. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop volume, and aboveground biomass models for a dry evergreen montane forest of Lendikinya Forest Reserve found in Northern Tanzania. A total of thirty sample trees and shrubs with a diameter range of 5-58.5 cm were destructively harvested and used in this study. Specifically, the study developed (i) the height-diameter model and (ii) the total volume and aboveground biomass models. The following height, volume, and biomass models appear to be suitable for estimating tree height, volume, and biomass of tree and shrub species found in the study site: Height (m) =2.3249 + 6.6101/DBH + 0.2847DBH (R2 = 0.78, RMSE = 1.79, AIC = 164.37), ln(Volume, m3) = -9.845 + 1.915 ln(DBH) + 1.089ln(Ht) (R2 = 0.97, RMSE = 0.296, AIC = -144.18) and ln(Biomass, kg) = -1.666 + 0.853ln(WD x DBH2 x Ht) (R2 = 0.95, RMSE = 0.324, AIC = 224.13). Both models yielded low bias, hence indicating an excellent fit. These models will be useful in understanding the condition of the forest and the potential of this forest in storing carbon hence, the possibility of benefiting from the ongoing negotiations of REDD+ schemes for payment for avoided deforestation and degradation through sustainable management of the reserve.