Plant species composition

The aim of the study was to assess plant species composition and its relation with soil seed bank as a basis for forest restoration through natural regeneration in Zaraninge and Mbwebwe coastal forests, Bagamoyo District Tanzania. Eighteen sample plots of size 0.07 ha were established systematically along transect in each of the two forests. Soil samples were collected within each plot at 0-10cm, 10-20cm and 20-30cm depths. The analysis was based on IVI computed from the average of relative basal area, density and frequency. Soil samples were analyzed for seed density of different plant species at the different depths. 62 and 50 plant species were identified in Zaraninge and Mbwebwe forests respectively. Out of 62 vascular plants identified in Zaraninge three species were rare plants, 35 common species and seven endemic to coastal forests. Mbwebwe forest had three rare plants, 26 common species and five endemic to coastal forests. The Shannon-Winner and Simpson Diversity Indices were 2.843, 0.093 and 2.5, 0.12 for Zaraninge and Mbwebwe forests respectively showing that the forests have high species diversity.