A comparative phenology analysis of commercially and non- commercially valued timber tree species in Budongo Central Forest Reserve, Western Uganda
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A dissertation submitted to School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a degree of Master of Science in Forestry of Makerere University
Flowering and fruiting phenology of commercially and non- commercially valued timber tree species in Budongo CFR in western Uganda are highly variable over time, resulting in periods of relative resource abundances and scarcity. The phenological state of 1497 individuals belonging to 48 species (non-commercially valued trees) in Budongo CFR was assessed at approximately 30 day interval over a period of 72 months. The study was conducted in Budongo CFR that was once unilaterally managed for timber production. As a result, trees of non commercial timber valued were poisoned with chemicals in order to promote regeneration of commercially timber valued trees. However, research in Budongo by primatologists and ornithologists have found trees like figs that are non-commercially for timber to be important food trees for both birds and primates. Despite the studies in Budongo, there is no study comparing the phenology of flowering and fruiting between commercially and non commercially valued tree species, yet this is crucial in ascertaining their functional roles and use in making management decisions. The specific objectives were; (a) to assess fruit production of tree species over time; (b) to compare flowering and fruiting frequency between tree species; and (c) to assess the validity of relative abundance of trees as indices for flowering and fruiting phenology. The study used data that have been recorded since February 2001 to April 2007 from systematic PSPs which were laid and maintained by BCFS. In order to understand what has been done over years, the researcher took one year field participation while observing and recording data. Monitoring was done on only reproductively mature trees. Flowering phenology of trees were recorded as either absent (-) or present (+) whereas fruiting phenology was recorded as either no fruits (-), unripe (UF) and ripen fruits (RF). Visual counts assisted by binoculars were done on each monitored tree to estimate the quantity of fruits on a tree. Data was summarised using SPSS 10.0 version for windows and excel computer software packages. For example excel was used to generate pivot tables and graphs. Generalized Linear Model repeated measures Analysis of Variances (GLM rmANOVA) in SPSS 10.0 version for windows was used to assess variations in frequency of flowering and fruiting among months / seasons. Non-commercially valued trees comprised of 853 individual trees belonging to 25 species while commercially valued trees comprised of 644 individuals belonging to 23 species. Commercially valued trees were dominated by Celtis mildbreadii (n = 302) whereas non - commercially valued trees by Lasiodiscus mildbreadii (n = 248). The number of trees flowering in any given month/season was lower than the number of trees fruiting. Flowering trees varied (p < 0.05) across months throughout the study period. Flowering and fruiting of trees was maximum in the months of March and September respectively and were minimum in the months of May and February respectively. Non commercially valued timber trees accounted for 75% of the trees bearing flowers / fruits in periods with minimum flowering/fruiting activities. Therefore, trees bearing flowers / fruits in periods of scarcity play crucial roles in shaping forest structure and functioning such as maintenance of frugivory diet. Fruit quantities by different trees varied across months (p < 0.05). On average, maximum fruit quantities were available in September and Minimum in July. Pooling data since 2001, Non- commercially valued timber trees accounted for 86 % of all fruits produced in the month with minimum fruit quantities. This clearly shows their functional role in sustaining continuous food supply to frugivores especially chimpanzees. Non commercially valued timber trees in Budongo and elsewhere in tropical natural high forests should be given priority in management objectives and be conserved due to their role to the survival of wildlife dependant on their fruits and flowers.
Flowering and fruiting phenology of commercially and non- commercially valued timber tree species in Budongo CFR in western Uganda are highly variable over time, resulting in periods of relative resource abundances and scarcity. The phenological state of 1497 individuals belonging to 48 species (non-commercially valued trees) in Budongo CFR was assessed at approximately 30 day interval over a period of 72 months. The study was conducted in Budongo CFR that was once unilaterally managed for timber production. As a result, trees of non commercial timber valued were poisoned with chemicals in order to promote regeneration of commercially timber valued trees. However, research in Budongo by primatologists and ornithologists have found trees like figs that are non-commercially for timber to be important food trees for both birds and primates. Despite the studies in Budongo, there is no study comparing the phenology of flowering and fruiting between commercially and non commercially valued tree species, yet this is crucial in ascertaining their functional roles and use in making management decisions. The specific objectives were; (a) to assess fruit production of tree species over time; (b) to compare flowering and fruiting frequency between tree species; and (c) to assess the validity of relative abundance of trees as indices for flowering and fruiting phenology. The study used data that have been recorded since February 2001 to April 2007 from systematic PSPs which were laid and maintained by BCFS. In order to understand what has been done over years, the researcher took one year field participation while observing and recording data. Monitoring was done on only reproductively mature trees. Flowering phenology of trees were recorded as either absent (-) or present (+) whereas fruiting phenology was recorded as either no fruits (-), unripe (UF) and ripen fruits (RF). Visual counts assisted by binoculars were done on each monitored tree to estimate the quantity of fruits on a tree. Data was summarised using SPSS 10.0 version for windows and excel computer software packages. For example excel was used to generate pivot tables and graphs. Generalized Linear Model repeated measures Analysis of Variances (GLM rmANOVA) in SPSS 10.0 version for windows was used to assess variations in frequency of flowering and fruiting among months / seasons. Non-commercially valued trees comprised of 853 individual trees belonging to 25 species while commercially valued trees comprised of 644 individuals belonging to 23 species. Commercially valued trees were dominated by Celtis mildbreadii (n = 302) whereas non - commercially valued trees by Lasiodiscus mildbreadii (n = 248). The number of trees flowering in any given month/season was lower than the number of trees fruiting. Flowering trees varied (p < 0.05) across months throughout the study period. Flowering and fruiting of trees was maximum in the months of March and September respectively and were minimum in the months of May and February respectively. Non commercially valued timber trees accounted for 75% of the trees bearing flowers / fruits in periods with minimum flowering/fruiting activities. Therefore, trees bearing flowers / fruits in periods of scarcity play crucial roles in shaping forest structure and functioning such as maintenance of frugivory diet. Fruit quantities by different trees varied across months (p < 0.05). On average, maximum fruit quantities were available in September and Minimum in July. Pooling data since 2001, Non- commercially valued timber trees accounted for 86 % of all fruits produced in the month with minimum fruit quantities. This clearly shows their functional role in sustaining continuous food supply to frugivores especially chimpanzees. Non commercially valued timber trees in Budongo and elsewhere in tropical natural high forests should be given priority in management objectives and be conserved due to their role to the survival of wildlife dependant on their fruits and flowers.
Keywords
Timber tree species, Commercially valued trees, Non-commercially valued trees, Flowering and fruiting phenology., Budongo Central Forest Reserve