Effect of Human Disturbances on Mahungu Green Belt Forest Reserve (MGFR) in Dodoma City, Central Tanzania

Abstract

Human disturbances are the human activities, whether legally or illegally conducted in an ecosystem as they may lead to removal or death of plants. The study was piloted at Mahungu Green Belt Forest Reserve (MGFR) in 2015 to examine the effect of human disturbances. Systematic random sampling was applied. A total of 36 plots of 50 m x 50 m were established in the seven transects at an interval of 400 m.  Ongoing human activities were identified and recorded. GPS was applied to locate plots, aligning transects and recording coordinates. The compass was used to direct the transect. 100 m tape was used to measure the plots. Inferential statistics was applied whereby human activities frequency and relative frequency were calculated. The identified and recorded most frequently occurred human activities were firewood collection, charcoal making, grazing and trespass routes. MGFR is potential in terms of biological diversity; it is recommended that; introduction ecotourism as and environmentally friendly projects; determination of all plant species of MGFR; education campaigns by Dodoma Universities; encourage woodlot development at household level; awareness creation; provision of environmental conservation education; enhance non-woody income-generating projects; discourage settlement expansion into the remaining forest patch; funds should be made available throughout to ensure regular patrols by field security guides, and enhance alternative sources of energy to the local people