Tree population dynamics in Kibale National Park, Uganda 1975-1998

Changes in species composition, stem abundance, and basal area of trees tal ler than or equal to 10 m in a medium altitude tropical rain forest at the Ngogo study area, Kibale National Park, Uganda are described for the period between 1975 and 1998 (n = 23 years). Two enumeration episodes were conduc ted in 263 plots of 5 m by 50 m during 1975-80 and 1997-98. During this per iod, species richness decreased by 3% (from 92 to 89). Species diversity (H ') also declined slightly from 2.97 to 2.86. The number of trees recorded i n the sample plots decreased by 8% (from 2545 to 2329), while basal area de creased from 49.48 m(2) ha(-1) to 48.68 m(2) ha(-1.) However, stem abundanc e and basal area increased for some species.