The Influence of Livestock grazing on Plant Species Diversity and Distribution at Kiranjeranje Ward-Kilwa District

Magambo, Neema (2015) The Influence of Livestock grazing on Plant Species Diversity and Distribution at Kiranjeranje Ward-Kilwa District. Masters thesis, The Open University Of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The relationship between environmental variables and plant species Diversity and distribution in Kiranjeranje ward was studied using multivariate gradient analysis. Vegetation data were collected in 30 established plots using the stratified random sampling method. For each plot established environmental data on edaphic factors and anthropogenic disturbances were also collected. The plant species were classified using a computer program TWINSPAN and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) in which three major plant communities were identified. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that Grazing intensity(r =-0.9439), silt(r = -0.7282), sand(r=0.7886) and clay(r = -0.7607) are Environmental variables with much influence on species distribution in the study area The Shannon - Weaver species diversity index was used to find the a- species diversity of the plant species .The ungrazed community had the highest a- species diversity (2.36577), followed by the moderately grazed community (2.35142) and the heavily grazed community had the lowest value (1.84805), this is due to the fact that overgrazing results into removal of plant species and severe depletion of vegetation resources The study recommends development of sustainable grazing system that combine traditional pastoral knowledge, scientific management principle and pastoral local institution, Also a long-term conservation plant in necessary to ensure grazing dos not threaten existing vegetation and biodiversity.

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