Anthropogenic Disturbances and Their Effects on Woody Species Composition, Diversity, Structure, and Carbon Storage in Mkuti Forest Reserve, Tanzania

Shadrack Augustine Msilu; Pantaleo Munishi; Thadei Rugambwa; Beatus Mwendwa

doi:10.37284/eajfa.8.1.4149

Shadrack Augustine Msilu Sokoine University of Agriculture
Pantaleo Munishi Sokoine University of Agriculture
Thadei Rugambwa Sokoine University of Agriculture
Beatus Mwendwa Institute of Adult Education

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.8.1.4149

Keywords: Miombo Woodland, Species Richness, Ecosystem Services, Regeneration, Degradation

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Abstract

Anthropogenic activities have increasingly altered the structure and functioning of tropical forest ecosystems, leading to changes in species composition, diversity, and carbon dynamics. This study assessed the effects of human-induced disturbances on woody species composition, diversity, structure, and carbon storage in Mkuti Forest Reserve, Kasulu District, Tanzania. A sampling intensity of 0.0117% was used, consisting of 71 systematically distributed plots of 0.08 ha each, spaced 2.5 km along plots and transects respectively. The total sampled area covered 5.68 ha out of the 48,638.93 ha of the reserve. Each 20 × 40 m plot was subdivided into two 10 × 10 m subplots to ensure adequate representation of forest conditions and human-induced impacts. Collected data were analysed using Generalised Linear Models (GLMs) to examine the effects of disturbances on species diversity, stem density, basal area, and carbon storage. The Shannon–Wiener index was used to compute diversity, while aboveground biomass (AGB) was estimated using the Mugasha et al. (2013) allometric model for Miombo woodlands developed for the Katavi Region. A total of 88 woody species belonging to 64 genera and 35 families were identified, with Fabaceae being the most dominant. Species diversity was high (H’ = 3.63 for adult trees and H’ = 3.33 for regenerants). Stem density (608 ± 338 stems ha⁻¹) showed a reverse J-shaped curve, signifying active regeneration. The mean basal area was 3.42 ± 1.62 m² ha⁻¹, reflecting the effects of selective logging and recurrent disturbances. Mean aboveground biomass and carbon stocks were 16.96 ± 8.44 t ha⁻¹ and 9.22 ± 4.99 t C ha⁻¹, respectively. Farming significantly reduced diversity, basal area, and carbon storage, while wildfires affected stem density. Other activities, such as grazing, tree cutting, and charcoal burning, had moderate effects. Degradation of the dominant Miombo genera in MFR drives a successional shift toward secondary woodland. As these climax species decline, disturbance-tolerant and fast-growing species increasingly dominate due to coppicing ability, drought tolerance, and rapid germination. Overall, Mkuti Forest Reserve still holds high biodiversity and regeneration potential, but increasing human disturbances threaten its ecological integrity and carbon sequestration capacity. Strengthening community participation, boundary enforcement, and livelihood diversification is crucial to ensure the long-term ecological values of Mkuti Forest Reserve.

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