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TREE SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABOVE-GROUND BIOMASS OF SALENDA BRIDGE MANGROVE PATCH
A CASE STUDY OF SALENDA BRIDGE, ILALA, DAR-ES-SALAAM REGION
By Mrumba E. John
2014
10/17/2014 1
1.1 Background Information of mangrove forests
Mangroves are defined as an association of halophytic trees, shrubs andother plants growing in brackish to saline tidal waters of tropical andsubtropical coastlines (Mitsch and Gosselink 2007). Globally, there are atleast 68 mangrove-obligate species, In Tanzania it is believed that, thereare not less than 8 mangrove species which includes Avicennia marina,Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Heritiera littoralis, Lumnitzeraracemosa, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum,Xylocarpus molluccensis
The term Species composition refers to the contribution of each plantspecies to the vegetation. Botanical composition is another term todescribe species composition (Rangelands west, 2013).
Biomass is the total quantity or weight of organism in a given area orvolume (Dictionary.com, 2013).
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Problem statement and Justification
Despite that mangrove forests have major key role in providing fuel energy source for domestic and industrial
uses, building materials, traditional medicines as well as ecosystem sustainability and environmental conservation
particularly on soil conservation and atmospheric carbon sequestrations reduction in coastal regions.
Yet in Tanzania, tree species composition and above ground biomass for mangrove forests in some coastal areas
especially in Salenda bridge mangrove patch have not been well documented. This study was intended on
assessing species composition and above-ground biomass estimation consecutively to assess useful information
principally on carbon stock status of the mangrove forest for the most part of Salenda Bridge mangrove patch.
The findings of this study provides useful and considerable information on sustainable management and
conservation of the patch to the mangrove forests stake holders such forest institutions, Governments and
community as well as baseline information for ongoing projects particularly on environmental conservation such
as REDD+, which will be significant and enormous support of their implementations
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1.3 Objectives
1.3.1 General objective
To assess mangrove tree species composition and above-ground biomassestimation of Salenda Bridge mangrove patch
1.3.2 Specific objectives
To identify mangrove tree species composition of Salenda bridge mangrove patch
To determine mangrove tree species percentage composition of Salenda Bridgemangrove patch
To estimate mangrove tree species above-ground biomass and carbon stock ofSalenda bridge mangrove patch
Research question
1. What are the mangrove tree species compositions of the Salenda bridge mangrove
patch?
2. What are the percentage compositions of each mangrove tree species of Salenda
bridge patch?
3. What will be mangrove tree species above-ground biomass and carbon stock
quantity estimation of Salenda bridge patch?
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3.3 Methods
3.3.1 Sampling techniques
Stratified sampling was employed; since the area of the patch has been alienated by
Msimbazi River, therefore in order to include all individual tree species in measurement
the area was stratified into two strata; the left and right hand sides of the river, equal
sample size were taken where by a random sampling was engaged to allocate the first
plot in each stratified area respectively followed by systematic sampling plots.
Circular plot, 5 m diameter was employed, 12 plots were established. Along the
transect line, each plot was separated by distance of 6.5 m from one plot to another.
19.63 m 2 (1.963 × 10 -3 ha) and 235.62 m 2 (2.356 × 10 -2 ha) Sampling unit and total
sample size was covered each respectively. 117.81 m 2 (1.1781 × 10 -2 ha) was covered
in each strata
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Methods....................cont
Plot interval distance, Sample plot size, number of plots and total samplesize were calculated as follows:-
Plot interval distance (D) = √(Area of the forest / Number of sample plot)
Sample plot size: Circular Area of a plot = πR2; where R = radius of a circular plot
Total sample size = Sample plot size × Number of sample plot
Number of plot: n = TA × Si
PS × 100%
Where: TA = Total forest area; Si = sampling intensity, 50%; PS = plot size (πR2)
Both height and diameter were measured by using Blumeleiss and Calliper eachrespectively, specifically for above-ground Biomass and carbon stock estimationinformation elsewhere tape measure was used to measure distance. Data entryand Recording, A shit form titled “ecological survey summary” was used to capturedata in the field. Microsoft excel was used to analyse data.
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Methods....................cont
Above-ground Biomass and Carbon stock estimation: the following calculations
were required to compute both biomass and carbon stock:-
Basal area(g) calculation: g = πd2/40,000; where d = diameter at breast height, π =
3.14
Volume (V) calculation: V = ffgh; where ff = form factor, h = height
Biomass calculation: Biomass = Wood density × Volume; where wood density =
0.61g/cm3 for Avicinnia marina (Bibliotheca Alexandria-EOL Ar, 2013)
Carbon stock of an individual species: CABG = Biomass × 0.5 ( Bhishma P.S, 2010);
where CABG = Above-ground carbon stock per individual specie, 0.5 = conversion
factor
Carbon stock per single plot: CPLOT =∑ CABG; where ∑ CABG = summation of CABG
10/17/2014 7
4.0 RESULTS
4.1 Tree species identification
Giesen et al. (2007) reported that, there are at least 68 mangrove-obligate
species globally still it is not possible to find all the mangrove species in
one area. This proves as to why there are only about 10 mangrove species
in America (Mitch and Gosselink 2007). In Tanzania it is believed that there
are not less than 8 mangrove species.
Results showed that, only a single species of mangrove (Avicinnia marina)
found growing and colonizing the study area. The findings from this study
confirm that, it is not possible to get all the mangrove species in one area.
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RESULTS......................cont
Botanical description of Avicinnia marina
Specie name : Avicennia marina Family : Avicinniaceae Habitat: Coastal zone areas
Found on the high levels of swamps
Description:
It willow-like in general appearance and has a light yellowish green foliage
Vertically pointed pneumatophores arise from abundance from long,spreading, horizontal roots
The bark is smooth and greenish yellow when young and variegated greenand reddish in the older trees
USES:
The trunks are used for making small dug-out canoes, and the tree isgenerally used for building carts, for chow and canoe fittings and masts,for furniture such as bedsteads and chairs, and for fitting such as handles.
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RESULTS......................cont
Plate 2:Leaves morphology of Avicinnia marina
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RESULTS......................cont
4.2 Tree species percentage determination
In this study, the findings showed that, 100% of the entire mangrove forest patch was
Avicinnia marina.
4.3 Tree species above-ground biomass and carbon stock
In this study, the findings confer the information that; the total biomass and carbon
stock of Salenda bridge mangrove patch were 22.9tonnes and 11.8tonnes respectively.
According to this study, the findings revealed that, tree species above ground biomass
and carbon stock, per sample area as well as per hectare were 11t, 5.32t, 458.3t/ha and
221.67t/ha.
(Alongi, 2009) reported that, above ground biomass are generally between 150 and
350t/ha in well developed tropical mangroves
The results reflect that, Salenda Bridge area has well developed mangrove forests
10/17/2014 11
5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion:
The study findings discovered that, it is impossible to find all the 68
mangrove species in one area. Only a single species of mangrove
(Avicinnia marina) found growing and colonizing the study area
The schoolwork showed that, the acknowledged tree species composed
and characterises the entire mangrove patch at Salenda Bridge vicinity;
100% was merely Avicinnia marina
Above ground biomass and carbon stock for Avicinnia marina mangrove
tree species were estimated to be 458.3t/ha and 221.67t/ha respectively,
which reflect the well developed mangrove forests at Salenda Bridge area.
10/17/2014 12
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.................cont
5.2 Recommendations:
5.2.1 Forests protection and restoration
In order to enhance the level of biomass and subsequent carbon storage of mangrove forests at
Salenda bridge mangrove patch, efforts to protect the forests will be worthwhile for all stakeholders
including the Government and international institutions, NGO’s and local community.
The protection and restoration of the forests is significant for climate mitigation strategies and will
confer considerable economic benefits to Salenda bridge mangrove patch.
5.2.2 Researcher’s Support, Good Coordination and working Environment
Government, institutions, company, projects, program and other organizations should ensure
support, good coordination and working environment with research institutions and scholars
(researchers).
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CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.................cont
5.2.3 Mangrove Ecosystem dynamic change and Distribution
Further study should be done on tree species diversity by
other scholars, additional emphasizes should be focused on
studying mangrove ecosystem dynamic change and tree
species distribution in terms of spatial arrangement.
<<<= END....>>> =THANKS.......!
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