Browsing by Author "Muoria, Paul K"

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    Floristic Composition, Diversity and Abundance of Woody Species in Tulimani Hill Ecosystem Makueni County, Kenya
    (Researchjournali's Journal of Ecology, 2023) Mule, Eunice Mutio; Wabuyele, Emily; Muoria, Paul K
    Tulimani Hill is a critical site for biodiversity conservation and was gazetted as a forest reserve in 2018. However, floristic composition and diversity of the ecosystem have not been documented. This study aimed at assessing diversity and abundance of woody species on the hill. Sampling was done in plots of 20m x 20m (400m2 ) laid after every 100 m along 6 transects running from the base of the hill to the top. Distance between the transects was 200 m. In all plots, woody plants were identified and recorded. Their cover was visually estimated and recorded. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of trees >10cm was also measured. Voucher specimens were identified at the National Museum of Kenya Data from the plots was organized into three zones based on the altitudes (lower zone, middle zone and upper zone). Shannon –Wiener diversity index was used to calculate species diversity. ANOVA was used to test variation of species abundances with altitude. Fifty species belonging to 23 families were identified. Fabaceae was the most dominant family Diversity, basal area, frequency, density and cover increased with increase in altitude. This was attributed to disturbance from anthropogenic activities of neighboring communities in lower zone of the hill.