Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation

Anthropogenic disturbance shapes plant community composition in the coastal forest of Pemba island, Zanzibar

2026-06-28T10:04:37+00:00

Tropical coastal forests provide essential ecological services and support high biodiversity, yet they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures linked to livelihood activities. This study examined the anthropogenic disturbance on plant diversity and community composition in the Ngezi-Vumawimbi Nature Forest Reserve (NVNFR), the largest remaining natural forest on Pemba Island, Zanzibar. Vegetation data were collected using systematic random sampling across two disturbance categories (high and low). Circular plots were established, and all woody species with a diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm were identified and counted. Species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity, and plant density were calculated and compared between disturbance levels, while community composition differences were assessed using Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, NMDS, and PERMANOVA. A socio-economic survey of households from five adjacent villages identified dominant livelihood activities and drivers of forest use. Species richness and diversity, were insignificantly between disturbance levels, indicating relative stability despite human pressure. However, community composition differed, with disturbed sites dominated by tolerant species such as Elaeis guineensis and lacking several forest-dependent species. Livelihoods varied among villages, with agriculture predominant and fishing localised. Economic necessity, cultural practices, and limited regulatory awareness drove resource use, highlighting the need for integrated ecological monitoring and community-based conservation.

Ecological characterization of avenue trees in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria

2026-06-28T10:19:04+00:00

Avenue trees are urban trees and they are very important for their strong environmental influence within urban landscapes. This research focuses on the assessment of avenue tree species population and diversity within the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Nigeria. A complete enumeration of the trees planted beside the major road network at the study location was done. All the avenue trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 10cm were identified and measured, height was measured and their frequencies were taken. A total of 781 trees belonging to 8 families and comprising 12 species were found within the study area. The two most abundant species and families were Gmelina arborea of the Verbenaceae family and Albizia zygia of the Fabaceae family (601 and 71 stands) respectively. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index was low= 0.92, the evenness was very low = 0.14, and the Simpson’s diversity index was 0.4. The DBH with the highest frequency was 10-29.9cm (47.9%) and the height with the highest frequency was 11-15.9m (49.04%). The study revealed very low species diversity and extremely low evenness in the study area. It is recommended that species diversification should be prioritized to enhance structural diversity and ecological resilience.

Stakeholders’ perspectives on the impact of Climate Change on tourism development in Chiawa, Lower Zambezi, Zambia

2026-06-28T10:31:24+00:00

Climate change poses a growing threat to tourism destinations that depend on biological natural resources. This study examined the stakeholders’ perspectives on the impact of climate change on tourism development in Chiawa, Lower Zambezi, Zambia, focusing on tourism performance, wildlife attractions, infrastructure, community livelihoods, and adaptation strategies. Purposive sampling was conducted in November, 2025 and used to select 80 participants. Of these, 50 completed questionnaires and 30 participated in interviews. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and thematically to provide deeper insights into stakeholders’ experiences and perceptions regarding climate change impacts. The findings revealed that most respondents (88%) reported declining tourist arrivals, 70% indicated disruptions to tourism operations, and 52% observed infrastructure damage and reduced wildlife sightings. Findings further revealed declining Zambezi River water levels, reduced wildlife visibility, and disruptions to tourism activities. Although official records showed an increase in park arrivals, the growth did not translate into proportional tourism benefits as a significant negative relationship between climate change impacts and tourism income (r = –0.261, p < 0.05) was observed. The study concludes that climate change threatens the sustainability of tourism development in Chiawa. Alternative mechanisms to adapt to this situation like embracing climate-resilient infrastructure and tourism diversification among others are recommended.