Structure and forest diversity of Miombo woodland in Taratibu, North of Mozambique

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the structure and forest diversity Miombo woodland located in Taratibu, in Quirimbas National park, northern of Mozambique, in order to subsidize actions of management and conservation. 3,1 ha, were divided into 31 plots of 50x20 m, where the DBH ≥ 10,0 cm of all observed trees were measured. Floristic composition, phytosociological parameters and diametric structure were used to evaluate the horizontal structure. Shannon Wiener and Pielou index were used to evaluate the forest diversity. There were 1111 trees, distributed in 38 species, 36 genera and 12 families. Fabaceae was the most ecologically important family with 39% of all species. The woodland had a density of 358 trees per hectare and a basal area of 16,57 m2.ha-1. The distribution of trees on diametric structure followed the j-inverted, typical of natural forests, however, the diametric classes of 12,5; 17,5 and 42,5 cm, showed, deficit of 4, 10, and 3 trees per hectare respectively. The Shannon and Pielou index were 2,19 and 0,6 respectively. Taratibu has stabilized structure and forest diversity, however management action is needed to maintain this ecosystem conserved.