Distribution and abundance of a keystone tree Em

Authors: Emmanuel N Chidumayo

Publish Date: 2016/03/28

Volume: 25, Issue: 4, Pages: 711-724

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Abstract

Schinziophyton rautanenii is a keystone tree species whose fruits are eaten by wildlife and livestock nuts are used to extract oil for human use and its wood is used for making curios that are sold to tourists The species occurs in southern African countries of Angola Namibia Botswana Mozambique Zambia Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo but little is known about its population and conservation status The objectives of this study were to i assess factors determining the distribution and abundance of the species in Zambia ii evaluate its regeneration potential and population status and iii assess whether the main determinants of forest and species stand structures also favour S rautanenii The study is based on three forest surveys conducted in 2004 2005–2008 and 2015 In Zambia S rautanenii abundance and population structure are controlled by soil climate and human factors The species is most abundant in southwest Zambia where population recruitment is good but is rare and recruitment is poor elsewhere in the country Fire appears to be a major cause of tree damage and possibly death The elephant is a major disperser of S rautanenii nuts and the low recruitment levels in the country may partly be attributed to the decline in the elephant population from about 250000 in 1960 to 28000 in 2008 Different conservation strategies will be required for areas where the species is rare and for those where the species is abundant Whatever the strategies it will be important to address issues of fire management fruit harvesting and the role of wildlife in the conservation of S rautanenii in ZambiaThe 2004 survey was funded by the Zambia Agribusiness Technical Assistance Centre ZATAC and Messrs Webby Mwape Christopher Zulu and Jones Mulomba participated in the survey Messrs Joe Lwambo and Henry M Luwaya and Ms Mutinta Matambo participated in the 2015 survey that was funded by SWECO Energuide AB of Sweden Access to the ILUA field inventory data was provided by the Forestry Department and the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO of the United Nations In this respect the assistance of Mrs Anne Chileshe Masinja the then Director of Forestry Department Mr Bwalya Chendauka Mr Abel Siampale and Mr Jackson Mukosha at Forestry Department in Lusaka and Ms Celestina Lwatula at FAO Lusaka Office is deeply acknowledged

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