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Skidmore College

Publication Date

Fall 2019

Program Name

Tanzania-Zanzibar: Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management

Abstract

As climate change threatens to cause heightened sea levels and decreased rainfall patterns in the Indian Ocean, mangrove forests are forced to adapt or suffer. This study aims to analyze the persistence of four prominent mangrove forests on Misali Island based on vulnerability and adaptability. The study focuses on three types of forests: overwash, coastal fringing, and scrub. Forest A, an overwash forest, was the main site of study and was surveyed for species type and seedling/sapling counts using ten transects which ranged from 40 to 91.7 meters in length. Data was analyzed in order to determine biodiversity, zonation, and reproductive success of the forest as a whole. Each factor was ranked on a scale of vulnerability to adaptability based on corresponding numerical values. Results showed the presence of seven species in Forest A with a high biodiversity. The forest was split into four zones which displayed strong zonation, as certain species prefer more inundated niches while others prefer drier niches. Overwash forests were found to be more adaptable than both coastal fringing and scrub forests and will likely persist the longest on Misali Island.

Disciplines

Biodiversity | Climate | Environmental Monitoring | Environmental Studies | Forest Management | Forest Sciences | Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

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