Tree characteristics and vegetation structure in the interior of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and adjacent farmlands in Gede, Kilifi County, Kenya
Citation
Musila S, Syingi R, Gichuki N, Castro-Arellano I (2018). Tree characteristics and vegetation structure in the interior of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and adjacent farmlands in Gede, Kilifi County, Kenya. Version 1.2. National Museums of Kenya. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/klaqrt accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-13.Description
We present data on tree characteristics and vegetation structure in the interior of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest (ASF) and human-modified habitats (farmlands) on the eastern part of this coastal forest in Gede, Kilifi County Kenya. A total of 210 Point-Centered Quarter (PCQ) points were used to sample vegetation in each habitat type. Each PCQ point was ≥ 30 m distant from each other, and in each quarter of the PCQ point we recorded the following data: the nearest tree species of at least 20 cm Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), its crown diameter and distant of the tree from the centre of PCQ point. At the centre of each PCQ we also recorded percentage understory vegetation density and canopy cover. Results show that the interior of ASF was dominated by indigenous trees (Brachystegia spiciformis (30%), followed by Cynometra webberi (29%) and Manilkara sansibarensis (18); while in the farmland it was dominated by exotic fruit trees (coconut (Cocos nucifera (54%), followed by mango (Mangifera indica (31%) and cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale (11%). The mean distance between trees (>20cm in DBH) in the farmlands (9.5M) was smaller than in the forest interior (10.95M). The % understory vegetation density of forest interior (38.2 ±1.5) was higher than that of the farmlands (5.8 ± 1.3). The % canopy cover of the forest (42.8±1.4) was more closed than that of the farmlands (29.3 ±1.9). This information provides a baseline information on the vegetation structure of the two main habitat types, and can be used to monitor habitat structure trends in the long run.Taxonomic Coverages
Various plants taxon
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Plantaerank: kingdom
Geographic Coverages
The interior of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest (ASF) and adjacent farmlands around Gede (especially Mtsangoni, Mida, Arabuko, Gede, Watamu and Msabaha villages), Kenya
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Contacts
Simon Musilaoriginator
position: Head of Section - Mammalogy
National Museums of Kenya, Zoology Department
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658
Nairobi
KE
email: surnbirds@gmail.com
homepage: http://www.museums.or.ke
Robert Syingi
originator
position: Research Intern
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
email: robertsyingi@gmail.com
Nathan Gichuki
originator
position: Professor
University of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences
Chiromo
Nairobi
Nairobi
KE
email: ngichuki@uonbi.ac.ke
Ivan Castro-Arellano
originator
position: Associate Professor
Texas State University-San Marcos
San Marcos
7866-4684
Texas
US
email: ic13@txstate.edu
Simon Musila
metadata author
position: Head of Section - Mammalogy
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658
Nairobi
KE
email: surnbirds@gmail.com
Esther Mwangi
processor
position: Research Scientist
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658
Nairobi
KE
email: ewmwangi@museums.or.ke
homepage: http://www.museums.or.ke
Lawrence Monda
publisher
position: ICT Manager
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658
Nairobi
KE
email: lmonda@museums.or.ke
homepage: http://www.museums.or.ke
Simon Musila
administrative point of contact
position: Head of Section - Mammalogy
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658
Nairobi
KE
email: surnbirds@gmail.com