Effects of selective logging and exploitation of non-timber forest products on Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda

Abstract

The effects of selective logging and exJlluit.ation of non-timber forest products (i'\TFI') was investigating Budongo Forest
Rescn·c, ligantla. Tree data were collected along transects in nestc!l plots established in compartments :\I (buffer z011e)
and N2 (exploited ~on ) on the seedlings, saplin~;s and matnt·c trees and wo,,d volume. Tree species diversity index and the
(lcrccntagcs of valuable commcrci:•l timber and less preferred species exploited were computed. The tree speries diversity
was hi~hcr (Simpson's diversity index =: 24. 7) in i'\2 than i'\1 (22.4). Greateo· wood volume 11cr tree was found in the I (3.04
± 0.2m1) than in :'112 {2.29 ± 0.2m·'). Utilization of !Joth v:du.ablc amllcss prcfcncd species was grcatco· in i'\2 than in ~1. We
recommend that the range of tJ'cc species e"ploited for timber should be increased as a conservation stratc~y lo rctlucc the
negati\'c effects or selective logging of few pupubu tree species.