Influence of vegetation type on taxonomic diversity and functional traits of grasses and forbs in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe. · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Nyathi, Miraculous

Title

Influence of vegetation type on taxonomic diversity and functional traits of grasses and forbs in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe.

Abstract

A study on the influence of vegetation type on taxonomic diversity and functional traits of grasses and forbs was carried out in Chishakwe Safari, Zimbabwe. Data were collected in February to March 2023. The stratified random sampling was employed. The study area was stratified according to vegetation types that dominated the landscape. Six strata were established namely: Combretum_apiculatum- Colophospermum_mopane, Combretum_apiculatum- mixed Grewia, Colophospermum_mopane- Diospyros_quiloensis, Grewia open shrub land, Acacia schweinfurthil and Dichrostachys cinerea. For grasses and forbs, a line transect of 100m by 2m was randomly placed in each strata to determine abundance and the functional traits. For trees and shrubs, a line transect of 100m by 4m was also placed in each strata where grasses and forbs transect was positioned. Results from multi-variate analysis in SPSS showed significant differences in tree height, shrub height, DBH, shrub canopy diameter and tree canopy cover. The findings of this study indicated that there was an even distribution of resources hence no differences in vegetation’s study variables. This study also exhibited low Shannon diversity indices of both grasses and forbs in all vegetation types. There were no significant differences in height of forbs and leaf thickness of grasses. There were significant differences in the height, pinnacle height, internode length and leaf area of grasses as well as in pinnacle height, internode length, leaf thickness and basal cover of forbs. Results from this study suggests that vegetation type have an influence on the taxonomic diversity and functional traits of both grasses and forbs. It is therefore recommended that ecologists and conservationists should recognize the specific vegetation types that support high diversity and unique functional traits, and prioritize the protection of these habitats to maintain overall ecosystem health and resilience.

Date

June 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

taxonomic diversity, functional traits,vegetation

Supervisor

Prof, L Jimu