Assessment Of The Distribution Of Macarangakilimandscharjca Tree Species Inmukuraforestreserve. A Case Study Of Rusebeya And Mukura Sectors In Rutsiro District, Western Province, Rwanda

ABSTRACT

Macaranga kilimandscharica (Umusekera) family Euphorbiaceae is one among the tree species

which occur in Mukura forest reserve which is threatened by local people due to its uses such as fire wood, charcoal , timber ,medicine, and poles for house construction . Despite that, it is being threatened within Mukura forest reserve yet its distribution, density and habitat status are unknown. This study was conducted within Mukura forest to find out the distribution in the

different habitats to know its status and prevent its extinction. The objectives of this study were to

identify the habitat type in which Macaranga kilmandscharica occurs (open forest, secondary

forest and others) , to identify the likely effects to the survival of Macaranga kilmandscharica in the different habitats, to determine the relationship between the density at DBH (Breast height Diameter) of Macaranga kilmandscharica and habitat type .Different materials and methods such as decameter for measuring distances, digital camera for taking photos, colored tape to mark the

plots, data sheets to record the data collected on the field, DBH tape for measuring the diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees and notebook, pen and markers used. Two transects of 1km each and Plots of 50x 50m on alternate sides were established along the transects at 50m interval. The results from this study revealed that Macaranga kili,nandscharica occurs in secondary forest, open forest, cleared, burned zone, fern as well as marsh. Fire wood collection, grass collection, grazing

Macaranga cutting, mining and other tree species cutting were identified as human activities disturbing the survival of Macarangakilimandscharica within Mukura forest, while the natural disturbance was presence of Sericostachys scandens. It has determined that the DBH of

Macaranga kilimandscharica degraded habitats is significantly different from non-degraded habitats (f =5.34, p = 0.000 123, df= 5 and 207 p< 0.05 Anova single factor).

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS v

TABLE OF CONTENT vi

ABSTRACT ix

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.0 Background of the study 1

1.1. Problem statement 2

1.2. Main objective 2

1.3. Specific Objectives 2

1.4. Hypotheses 3

1.5. Scope of the study 3

1.6. Significance of the study 3

CHAPTER TWO 4

LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1. Description ofMacaranga kilimandscharica tree species 4

2.2. Distribution of Macaranga kilimandscharica 5

2.3. Utilization ofMacaranga kilimandscharica 5

2.4. Relationship ofMacaranga kilimandscharica and habitat types 6

vi

CHAPTER THREE .10

METHHODS AND MATERIALS .10

3.1. Description of the study area 10

3.1.1. Geographic location of Mukura forest 10

3.2. Data collection 11

3.2.1.Transects and plots 11

3. 2 .2. Habitat type data collection 12

3.2.3. Human activities 12

3.3. Data analysis 12

CHAPTER FOUR 13

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 13

4. 1. Identification of the habitat type in which Macaranga kilimandscharica occurs 13

4.2. Human activities disturbing the survival of Macaranga kilmandscharica 16

4.2.1. Grazing and grass collection illicit 16

4.2.2. Mining 16

4.2.3.Sericostachys scandens 17

4.2.4. Fire wood collection 18

4.2.5. Macaranga and others tree species cutting 18

4. 3. Relationship between the density at DBH of Macaranga kilimandscharica and habitat.19

CHAPTER FIVE 20

5.0. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 20

5.1. CONCLUTION 20

5.2. RECOMMENDATIONS 21

References .22

APPENDIX 1. DATA FILE 2