Vegetation Structure and Composition across Different Land Uses in a Semiarid Savanna of Southern Zimbabwe
Joint Authors
Kupika, Olga L.
Gandiwa, Edson
Murungweni, Chrispen
Zisadza-Gandiwa, Patience
Mabika, Cheryl T.
Source
International Journal of Biodiversity
Issue
Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-5, 5 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2013-04-11
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
5
Main Subjects
Natural & Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
Biology
Abstract EN
We compared the structure and composition of vegetation communities across different land uses in the northern Gonarezhou National Park and adjacent areas, southeast Zimbabwe.
Vegetation data were collected from 60 sample plots using a stratified random sampling technique from April to May 2012.
Stratification was by land use, and sample plots in all three strata occurred on predominantly siallitic soils.
Our results show that the communal area had higher woody plant species diversity (H'=2.66) than the protected area (H'=1.78).
However, the protected area had higher grass species richness per plot than the communal area and resettlement area.
Overall, the protected area had more structural and compositional diversity than the other land use areas.
These findings suggest that the areas adjacent to protected areas contribute to plant diversity in the greater ecosystem; hence conservation efforts should extend beyond the boundaries of protected areas.
We recommend that protected area management should engage community-based institutions in neighbouring areas for effective monitoring of woody vegetation structure and composition.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Zisadza-Gandiwa, Patience& Mabika, Cheryl T.& Kupika, Olga L.& Gandiwa, Edson& Murungweni, Chrispen. 2013. Vegetation Structure and Composition across Different Land Uses in a Semiarid Savanna of Southern Zimbabwe. International Journal of Biodiversity،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-491014
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Zisadza-Gandiwa, Patience…[et al.]. Vegetation Structure and Composition across Different Land Uses in a Semiarid Savanna of Southern Zimbabwe. International Journal of Biodiversity No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-491014
American Medical Association (AMA)
Zisadza-Gandiwa, Patience& Mabika, Cheryl T.& Kupika, Olga L.& Gandiwa, Edson& Murungweni, Chrispen. Vegetation Structure and Composition across Different Land Uses in a Semiarid Savanna of Southern Zimbabwe. International Journal of Biodiversity. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-491014
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-491014