FOREST ASSOCIATION AND PHENOLOGY OF WILD COFFEE IN KIBALE NATIONAL-PARK, UGANDA

A study on the forest association and phenology of wild coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre) was conducted in Kibale forest, Uganda. Nested quad rats were used to enumerate tree species, including coffee and herbace ous plants associated with forest and coffee stands. A total of 150 co ffee trees was marked along transects and monthly scans carried out to score for fruits, flowers, leaves and leaf insect damage. Pre- and po st-dispersal predation levels and coffee yield estimates were made by examining fruits from trees, forest floor and seasonal fruit falls int o demarcated plots. In the forest, wild coffee stands are associated w ith low-quality forest types in terms of timber species (about 10.5 ca nopy species/study site) and low stocking densities of trees greater t han or equal to 50 cm d.b.h. (average 38 trees ha(-1) for each site) a nd poor forest regeneration. In the forest, wild coffee reproductive p hases overlap with ripening, coinciding with flower bud and flower pro duction. The variable peak ripening season falls between November and April. The wild coffee yields are generally low (average of 3.5 intact fruits 16 m(-2) month(-1)), with low insect fruit/seed damage (4-19%) but high levels of wastage due to monkeys, bats and birds.