Catha Edulis: A Threatened Tree In The West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Msuya, T.S., and Mndolwa, M.A., (2005) Catha Edulis: A Threatened Tree In The West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 17 (4). pp. 526-531. ISSN 0128-1283

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Affiliations

Tanzania Forestry Research Institute. Kibaha Lowland Afforestation Research Centre
Tanzania Forestry Research Institute. Kibaha Lowland Afforestation Research Centre

Abstract

Assessment of the effects of stimulant trade on the future survival of Catha edulis trees was conducted in the West Usambara Mountains. A total of 65 plots of 0.1 ha each were established along two transects. All C. edulis trees in each plot were counted and recorded based on their health status. Of the 350 sampled trees, only 12% were healthy whereas 88% were either damaged or dead or dying. The number of C. edulis trees in the plots reflected a similar situation to trees outside the plots. Health distribution for diameter classes revealed that leafy harvesting had more impact on large trees as compared with small trees. About 93% of all healthy trees had diameter class less than 20 cm. While 86% of all damaged trees had diameter class above 20 cm, no dead trees with diameter class less than 20 cm were recorded.This indicated that most leaves of large old trees were preferred compared with those of small and young trees. However, due to scarcity of leaves from large trees, leaves from regenerated seedlings were also harvested. Thus, in the absence of conservation efforts, C. edulis faces danger of extinction.

Penilaian kesan perniagaan perangsang terhadap masa depan pokok Catha edulis dijalankan di Gunung Usambara Barat. Sebanyak 65 plot, masing-masing 0.1 ha luas didirikan di sepanjang dua transek. Semua pokok C. edulis di dalam setiap plot dikira dan direkodkan taraf kesihatannya. Daripada 350 pokok yang disampel, 12% didapati sihat manakala 88% mengalami kecederaan atau telah mati atau hampir mati. Perkara yang sama juga diperhatikan pada pokok-pokok di luar plot. Taburan kesihatan mengikut kelas diameter menunjukkan bahawa pengutipan daun memberi kesan yang lebih pada pokok besar berbanding pokok kecil. Kira-kira 93% daripada pokok sihat mempunyai kelas diameter kurang daripada 20 cm. Manakala 86% daripada pokok tercedera mempunyai diameter lebih daripada 20 cm, tiada satu pun pokok mati mempunyai kelas diameter kurang daripada 20 cm. Ini menunjukkan bahawa daun daripada pokok besar dan tua lebih digemari daripada daun pokok kecil dan muda. Disebabkan kekurangan daun daripada pokok besar,
daun daripada anak benih yang dipulihara juga dikutip. Justeru C. edulis menghadapi bahaya kepupusan tanpa usaha pemuliharaan.

Item Type:

Journal

Additional Information:

Special thanks go to the Finnish Support to Forest Research in Tanzania (FORST) project for financing the study

Keywords:

Threatened species, leaf harvesting, stimulant trade, health status, conservation, forests and forestry

Subjects:

S Agriculture, Forestry

ID Code:

9155