Ecological Effects of Cattle Grazing on Miombo Tree Species Regeneration and Diversity in Central-Eastern Tanzania

The inspiration of this study is to determine the effects of cattle grazing on tree species composition and regeneration in Miombo ecosystem of Eastern Tanzania. The study was done in wet season for three months. The effects were assessed in three different levels of grazing intensity. Cattle grazing intensities namely zero (no grazing), light and high of 50 m × 50 m plot size with ten replications for each level were established. Results revealed that, in high cattle grazing intensity there was a significance decrease of plant species composition, seedling regeneration, plant coppices and root sprouts. High intensity cattle grazing have significant ecological effects in Miombo woodlands while light grazing intensity had no effects. Grazing larger heads of cattle in Miombo should be avoided for sustainability of ecological services. However, ecological services can be maintained under controlled grazing. Therefore, grazing of cattle can be allowed in specific season of the year especially during dry seasons to rescue massive death of livestock. Further research on the effects of browsing animals should be done in Miombo ecosystems because most grazing herds combine both grazer and browser animals.

Author(s): John R Mtimbanjayo and Anthony Z Sangeda

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