ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS FOR DECLINING REGENERATION AND DEATH OF EAST AFRICAN CAMPHOR IN MOIST MOUNTANOUS FOREST OF TANZANIA

Abstract

RICHARD J, MADOFFE SS & MALIONDO SMS. 2014. Assessment of factors for declining regeneration and death of East African camphor in moist mountanous forest of Tanzania. The East African camphor (Ocotea), a canopy tree species and an important component of Chome Nature Reserve is seriously declining in density. Although the species is still illegally logged for timber, the main concern of ecologists is the declining regeneration and death of individuals in all age classes. In this study, we examined the influence of disturbance and heart rot on the regeneration and death of Ocotea. Forest disturbance and the status of Ocotea were assessed in 62 strips of 10 m wide and 100 m long. The results of this study indicate that disturbance was a more important determinant of Ocotea death than heart rot, and regeneration of Ocotea was much influenced by elevation. There was no evidence for the influence of disturbance on regeneration. These results suggest that the distribution of Ocotea in Chome Nature Reserve was shifting towards higher elevation. This was due to degradation of habitats suitable for growth of Ocotea in lower accessible areas. Therefore, protection by restricting anthropogenic activities in the nature reserve is important for restoring and maintaining camphor forests.