Tree species traits and population structure of natural regeneration in the 66-year old arboretum at Nyabyeya Forestry college, Masindi district, Western Uganda.

Abstract

Arboreta and botanical gardens have been focused on as better opportunity to monitor and study regeneration, the establishment of young trees, under controlled conditions, shedding more light on special requirements of various trees. Forest regeneration is a critical process for maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and sustainable forestry practices. This study examined the traits and population structure of tree species undergoing natural regeneration within the 66-year-old arboretum in Masindi, western Uganda. Specifically, the study compared the stem density of regenerating plants between habitat types, successional guilds, dispersal modes, and examined the size class distribution of regenerating plants. The study utilized systematic sampling methods across the entire arboretum. 75 plots of 10×10 m were used to sample regenerating plants. Data were analyzed using linear regression models in R software. The results revealed a higher density of forest-dependent than forest nondependent species; dominant non-pioneer light-demanding species compared to pioneers and shade-tolerant species. Abiotic dispersal modes were found to significantly influence seed distribution contributing to higher stem density than biotic dispersal. There was a high seedling density indicating strong regenerative potential within the arboretum crucial for sustaining biodiversity. The study provides critical insights into effective arboreta management and tree conservation strategies contributing to broader efforts to combat Uganda’s declining forest cover and biodiversity.