Assessment of the Pange Juu Community Forest and its Future Perspective

 

Assessment of the Pange Juu Community Forest and its Future Perspective 

Paskali Hambati* , Tahir Abas Haji**, Richard Nchasi**, Benson Lisoso** *

 Wildlife Conservation and Environment Department, Foundation for People’s Health and Environmental Conservation ** Environmental Conservation Department, Jozani Environmental Conservation Association.

Abstract- Assessment of Pange Juu Community Forest an area of 26.01 hectors assessed adjacent to Jozan Chwaka National Park in wet and dry season in 2022 and 2023 purposely to explore the abundance and diversity of woody plant species based on old and new cut species, checklist of birds and mammal’s species to make justifications on the proper management of community’s forest in Zanzibar. To achieve the objectives, methodological techniques such as transect walks, direct observation, point count, and circular plots were employed this reason triangulated to obtain valid data. At a significant level, results showed that 5524 tree species, including adult trees, shrubs, climbers, herbs, and lianas were counted, making a diversity of 3.5 dominated by Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae families, accounting for 10, 8, and 7 species richness, respectively. Mammal and bird species were identified and listed accordingly. The results revealed that 113 tree species, 99 genera, and 50 families exist in the area. This outcome contributes to the high diversity of 3.5, hence needs recognition as a biological significant area. Pange Juu Community forest faced challenges for a long time due to its existence without management interventions, hence anthropogenic activities. The forest was devastated and destroyed for farming and logging of timber. In 1996, Forest Act No.10 was established, and is when the communities started to be involved in the management of forest resources in Zanzibar. Land use planning in Pange Juu Community Forest has played a key role in environmental conservation. Recommendations and suggestions were made as part of this study to spread the ideas for further actions. To make effective management the study suggested using Intergraded Management Technique especially community based environmental conservation, with much focus on benefit sharing for forest sustainability.

Index Terms- Community Forest, Forest Policy, Forest Act, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Pange Juu.

1. INTRODUCTION

 Traditionally, forests have played a major role in influencing patterns of economic development, supporting livelihoods, helping structure economic change, and promoting sustainable growth. For millennia before the industrial revolution, forests, woodland, and trees were the source of land for cultivation and settlement, construction materials, of fuel and energy, and indeed of food and nutrition as well (Williams 2002). Forests continue today provide high levels of commercial benefits to households, companies, and governments that formed the initial drive for protective statutes and policies (Agrawal et al., 2013). Forests in Tanzania are threatened by the prevailing high rate of deforestation, which results in loss of forest cover, extinction of some species of plants and animals and increase of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere (Kajembe, 1994). According to the National Forest Policy (1998), the Policy statement 3 directs that enable participation of all stakeholders in forest management and conservation, Joint Management Agreements, with appropriation user rights and benefits will be established. The agreement will be between the central government, specialized executive agencies, private sector or local governments, as appropriate in each case, and organized local communities or other organizations of people living adjacent to the forest. Zanzibar belong to the 25-biodiversity hot spot of the world conservation priorities (Myer et al., 2000), Brooks et al., 2002). It has been warned that the Eastern arc and the coastal forest of Tanzania and Kenya are prone to extinction if their habitat loss continues with natural forest already occurs in tiny fragments (Brooks et al., 2002). Moreover, biodiversity strategy of Zanzibar acknowledges the loss of forests as one of the threats for the biodiversity loss in Zanzibar Islands (RGoZ, 1996). The people of Zanzibar are still depending in the forest for their livelihood that include food, medicine, fuel, building materials (poles) and other community income generating activities. Kitogani village is among ten surrounding community of Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park (JCBNP). These villages have the role to play in conservation of natural resources in the reserved area within their society. These community surrounding JCBNP have rightful land use plan referred to as “CommunityForestry Management Agreement” (COFMA). To the western side of this forest lies Pange juu villages and referred to as Pangejuu Community Forest Reserve. The forest accommodates natural forest of various plant species and a home range of various animal species. This ecosystem is crucial for environmental benefit, very prospective and up to date, retrospectively no intensive study has been conducted on Woody plant species diversity, richness and composition information is very important for assessing the sustainability of the forest. Due to inadequate periodic inventory data, growth of the forest, regeneration characteristics and encroachment of the forest reserves are poorly understood. There is limited information on woody plant species diversity, stocking, richness and composition of Pange Juu Community Forest Reserve. This occurrence necessitated rapid forest inventory of the habitat to be carried out for the determination of plant species diversity, richness and composition. Birds, insects and mammals are the consumers of the forest. The plant inventory tried to identify the possible signs of the other species in order to link between the ecological interactions of plants and other species existence, forming an ecosystem. The result of these findings provides information on plant species abundance, diversity, richness and composition, which will be helpful in formulation of community forest management planning with proper conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development of the forest now and future generation. Therefore, this is fundamental since it will present indispensable information on the way to conservation of the forest. 

 The objective of the study were “assessment of abundance of woody plant, mammals and bird species in Pange Juu Community Forest. Specific objectives are: -

 1. To determine the tree species abundance and diversity of Pange juu Community Forest

 2. To determine the bird’s species abundance and diversity of Pange juu Community Forest 

3. To determine mammal species abundance and diversity of Pange Juu Community Forest

2.STUDY AREA DESCRIPTIONS 

The study area located to South District in South region of Zanzibar Island (Unguja), 37 kilometers from Zanzibar town. Pange Juu Community Forest has a total area of 26.01 hectare. The area comprises of a tropical forest with mixed vegetation ranging from large trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers, lianas and grasses. The forest lies adjacent to the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, only few kilometers from the main road. Pange Juu Community Forest is a home to more than 100 bird species, endemic and the most famous monkey, the Red Colobus monkey, and other primate species, bats, duikers and Suni. The forest serves is a biological important area since it has the large diversity of endemism and natural plant species which needs high conservation status. Pange Juu Community forest is a potential site for tourism and biological studies important to raise the awareness, add values to the existing knowledge, and to increase the scope of tourism attraction sites in Zanzibar.

The sample plots were positioned by the aid of grid lines, and points were recorded using the Geographical Position System GPS, a number of 28 circular plots were surveyed over the entire area.

 Data collection methods

1.1: Reconnaissance Survey.

 A reconnaissance survey was conducted in the site for two days which helped to familiarize with the study area and to understand tactics to conduct the exercise on the ground. The allotted time was used to outline and pre-test the methodologies to be used in the study site also used to submit an introductory letter to the respective authorities. This was inevitable, since the research could require access to information due to legal or political reasons.

2.1. DETERMINATION OF THE TREE ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY

 Pange Juu Community Forest Reserve covers an area of 26.01 hectors. The work was executed by use of sampling methods. This methodological research aimed to reduce work costs and time. Thus, the circular plot of 0.04 hectare was used to collect required information. In the plots all plant species includes herbs, shrubs, climbers and lianas were identified and recorded. Destruction was observed through stump cuts either new or old. Regeneration was checked by establishment of small plot of 1 m radius to the center of each plot (Stohlgren et al. 1995). 

2.2. DETERMINATION OF MAMMALS AND BIRD SPECIES

 Observation method was employed during the determination of the possible mammal species and bird species in the site, observation method was not limited as far as it was a dense vegetation area and mammals were likely hiding. A radius of more than 100m was employed to see if there are any markings and signs of possible mammal species. Bird species were identified easily on the radius of 100m using a point count method. Bird counting were done by observing all the birds within the radius, with the assumptions of flew and not flew technique. Mammal’s species markings and signs were identified soon after plant identification was done.

2.3 DATA ANALYSIS 

The species diversity was calculated by using R statistical package, a data from excel spreadsheet in CSV format were uploaded to Biodiversity, an R package for statistical analysis of biodiversity and ecological communities, Shannon diversity index (Shannon, 1948). This diversity index takes into account species richness as well as their proportional abundance. The diversity index is given by the formula: H= -∑ (Pi (ln Pi)). Whereby, the Shannon-Wiener wiener index of diversity proportional of individuals (n/N) of one particular species found (n) divided by the total number of individuals found (N) In =natural logarithm 

3.RESULTS 3.1 ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF PLANT SPECIES 

A Total number of 5524 tree species, including Adult trees, shrubs, climbers, herbs and lianas, were counted over the entire fourteen days (14) of field data collection in an area of 26.01 hectares of Pangejuu Community Reserved area. The results reveal that, tree species belong to 113 species, 99 genera and 50 families. This outcome contributes to the high diversity of 3.5, hence needs recognition as the biological significant area. The dominant families were Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae accounting to 10, 8 and 7 species richness, respectively. This characterizes purely coral rag patch of vegetation that was previously disturbed but recently regeneration taking place immediately due to conservation efforts of the community Of all the tree species counted, Polysphaeria parvifolia was the dominant plant species contributing to the 17.3% of the entire plant species, followed by Euclea racemosa 8.4% and Euclea natalensis 6.7%, respectively.

All forms of growth categories were observed ranging from trees, shrubs, herbs, lianas, climbers and sage indicating that community forest exhibit all form of species resembling the true African tropical forest. 

3.2 MAMMAL AND BIRD SPECIES 

Mammals and birds of Pange Juu Community Forest were not different from those of Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, the National Park is much protected compared to the community owned land areas for conservation. A checklist of birds and mammals were prepared on the observation made, marks and signs as shown in appendix section, Table 2 and 3. Callings and songs of birds from different area were heard, especially of East Coast Boubou, one of the bird endemic to Zanzibar and not found anywhere. Other endemic species like the Zanzibar red bishop, Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul were also identified. Guinea fowl was not seen but the feathers were seen and identified. Pange Juu Community Forest is a home to Zanzibar Red Colubus Monkey, Sykes monkey, Suni, Elephant shrews, Tree Hyrax, duikers and large to small Bats were seen in caves. Ecological interaction between species and their environments have quite observed. Animals used the trails i.e. Elephant shrews, to move from one area to another searching for food, mates, water, and other necessary basic requirement.

 4.DISCUSSION

 Management of wildlife resources especially forest dated back before even colonization. Communities were managing wildlife through taboos, sacred species, and traditional leadership. The wildlife conservation in Tanzania dates back in 1891 when laws controlling hunting were first enacted by the German rule. These laws regulated the off take, hunting methods and trade in wildlife (URT 1998). During colonization communities were excluded from utilizing natural resources, fine and fences established and ordinances were introduced. This resulted in the fall of number of species due to overharvesting, poaching, game hunting, and encroachment of natural resources. After independence some of the ordinances were adopted but communities were segregated in managing wildlife resources. Despite her long-standing history of wildlife conservation, Tanzania never had a comprehensive wildlife policy. Until 1980’s United Republic of Tanzania decided to involve communities in managing wildlife resources, this approach was somehow a cure in management of natural resources. In 1998, United Republic of Tanzania came with the first policy in management of wildlife resources, Wildlife management areas and joint forest management committees were established so as to allow communities to manage their own land and to co-exist with natural resources.

 4.1 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

 Just like the paradigm in the shift of managing wildlife resources, Pange Juu Community Forest has passed through number of challenges. Before recognized as the community forest area, Pange Juu Community Forest was an existing forest without management interventions, hence anthropogenic activities. The forest was devastated and destroyed for farming and loggings of timber. In 1996, forest Act No.10 was established and is when the communities were started involved in management of forest resources in Zanzibar. Forests were recognized and evaluated but unfortunately mass numbers of woody trees have been lost in communal forest land. The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar decided to give status to the communal land forest areas and in 2010, Pange Juu Community Forest was acknowledged as the community forest reserve. The reason behind being forest destruction in other area was high and to conserve near water resources for social economic developments. Forest reserves were established and gazetted. Community were educated, role played by the forest in providing food, medicine, source of water catchment, source of material for construction, providing resilience to the changes of climatic condition and reduction of carbon to the atmosphere.

4.2 REGENERATION OF PANGE JUU COMMUNITY FOREST 

Raise in awareness on the significance of natural resources has continued to the communities. Communities of Pange Juu Forest Reserve have understood the role played by the forest in providing life and important ecological services. Through conservation of forest, Pange Juu Forest Reserve has generated and can be classified to the forest of high thicket, low thicket and medium thicket. Seedlings of different plant species have been observed growing and giving an implication that the forest is regenerating from low-density to high-density vegetation. Currently, the forest has a scenic expression of underground water forest from a previously chopped and cultivated forest. From the data collected, Polysphaeria parvifolia has a seedling regeneration rate of 22.60% followed by Euclea natalensis 19.10%, Eugenia capensis 14.70%, and Pyrostria bibracteata 13.90% as seen in Table 06 below in appendix section. Land use planning in Pange Juu Community Forest has played a key role in environmental conservation. Division of land into different community needs was sort out so as to enables win-win situation between the communities and the management of forest. Communities in Pange Juu have engaged in developing tree nurseries, planting woody plants i.e. pine trees, cultivation of both commercial crop products as well as food crops. Commercial crops i.e. tomato and food crops i.e. maize has helped people not to depend too much on the forest resources rather supporting the environmental conservation programs. Forest provides a lot of alternatives to the community if well maintained and preserved. In Pange Community Forest, people are allowed to collect firewood, collect wood for construction, fetching water in the dam-caves, and activities that generate income including beekeeping activities only from special permit. Motivation among communities themselves is very high People need to work and have started seeing tourism as a business. Support should be given from the government to the Non-governmental organization in order to make these dreams long lasting for the sustainable forest management. 

4.3 ASSESSMENT OF THE NEW CUT AND OLD CUT

 Assessment of old cut was done to foresee which plant species were harvested the most and used for which purposes. New cut was assessed to see if there is new poaching and encroachment sign continues to be the threat and so as to improve better conservation management actions of Pange Juu Community forest. Numbers of cuts were counted and species were identified. Of all 53 cuts, 43 were old cuts equals to 81.13% of all cuts, and 10 were new cuts equals to 18.86% of all cuts as seen in Table 05 below in appendix section. Mystroxylon aethiopicum was the most harvested species contributing to 13 species equals to 24.52% followed by Euclena natalensis 18.86%, Rhus natalensis 15.09% when to consider old cut. New cut was assessed but were minimal as compared to the old cut. This implies, previously the forest was under pressure of harvest from the community, but due to efforts done in raising awareness, communities have understood the role of environmental conservation and it’s impacts to the community’s social and economic developments. The result shows that, there is much improvement in the management of the forest resources, though there are still pressures from outside. Encroachment of forest land and its resources have continued and have to be taken into consideration to save the future values of Pange Juu Community Forest. Burning of forest as a sign of preparation of farms were seen, deforestation and collection of wood logs. The area was much affected, forming the buffer zone between the community farms and the protected forest. We suggest that conservation initiatives should be improved to consider a buffer zone between the community land and the protected forest. Raising awareness on the presence of the buffer zone and the establishment of the buffer zone needs to be emphasized to conserve the Pange Juu Community Forest Reserve for current and future generations.

 4.4 ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF PLANT SPECIES

 From the results above, Pange Juu Forest Reserve qualifies to the area of high plant species diversity and abundance. Pange Juu Community Forest plays a great role in preventing global warming and building sustainable societies. Natural plant species from Red List data were identified in Pange Juu Forest. Species of high concern, Afzelia quanzensis (see Table 01 in the appendix section) with a maximum capacity of absorbing toxic gases, was identified in Pange Juu Forest reserve. For this reason, Pange Juu Forest has a variety of functions, including land conservation, securing of water resources, controlling of climate change, and creation of a natural environment for human existence. Forest provides local food, diet and nutrition to the local people hence avoiding malnutrition and hunger. A lot of identified species show the medicinal values. Local people are using roots and tree stems, and leaves for medicinal purposes. Despite using trees as a medicine, Pange Juu Forest holds high number and diversity of bird species, insects, and mammal species, hence providing essential habitat for other living organism in maintaining ecosystem functioning. Therefore, Pange Juu Forest needs high conservation status as it provides ecosystem services to the community, and a home to other wildlife species.

 5.CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

 Individuals and governments can do their part in protecting the forest. Knowledge about the importance of forest needs to be spread so that people become aware of the dangers associated by deforestation. Community participation in natural resource management should be more encouraged, and the management system should be improved to achieve the desired goals. Tourism activities that will raise the income of the people should be more encouraged as stipulated by this paper. An area that needs investors should be addressed so that communities can see the value of what they are managing. Infrastructure should be improved, and the community should be given the chance to advertise the local cultural food products. Evaluation of historical attraction of caves, stakeholders should be involved together with the communities so that a good historical telling site will be established. We recommend more studies on the abundance, diversity and distribution of mammal species i.e. Duikers and Suni of Pange Juu Forest Reserve and identification of bats species. Also, we recommend the more studies on basal area and canopy cover of the identified plant species.

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