INVENTORY OF Dalbergia melanoxylon (MPINGO) IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF TANZANIA: THE CASE OF NACHINGWEA

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the current status ofDalbergia melanoxylon (Mpingo) in Tanzania. A total of 44 sample plots (3.08 ha) were laid on public land. D. melanoxylon contributes about 4% of all total stems out of 103 tree species identified and most of them found in clusters. Out of all visited plots 36.4% had D. melanoxylon. Parameters determined include height, stems per hectare, basal area per hectare, volume per hectare and diameter class of trees. The number of stems, basal area and volume per hectare was found to be 20, 1.2m2 and 8.6m3 respectively. The stems were distributed in five diameter classes. Based on the importance of D. melanoxylon for the economy of Tanzania, it is recommended that national inventory for the species should be carried out in order to know the existing stock and to prescribe sustainable harvesting regimes. Licensing for logging D. melanoxylon should be based on estimates of the yield and not on the existing demand.