The Impacts of Land Use and Forest Activities on Tree Species Composition and Structure on the Edges of Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda

The impact of land use activities on tree species composition, structure and diversity in and around Budongo Forest Reserve was assessed in August and September 2000. Forty plots measuring 50x50 m were laid at 100 m intervals along 1,000 m transects originating from each land use type activity and the number, species, diameter at breast height (dbh) and height of trees ≥10 cm recorded. The land use/forest activities considered were farming, settlement, charcoal production and harvesting of timber, firewood and building poles. One way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test and Shannon-Weaner diversity index were used to analyse the data. It was found that different land use activities have affected forest tree species abundance (H = 24.77, p = 0.001), composition (F = 2.87, p = 0.047) and structure (dbh: F = 3.82, p = 0.018 and height: F = 1.63, p = 0.039). Timber harvesting had the least negative effect on tree species diversity (H = 2.8016) and the highest negative effect on forest structure (average dbh = 33.06 cm; average height = 22.06 m). Farming had the highest negative effect on tree species diversity (H = 2.57) and the lowest negative effect on forest structure (average dbh = 39.11 cm; average height = 25.18 m). It is recommended that the effect of land use practices on the forest fringes should be monitored and a methodology for an integrated land use-forest management plan developed.