Differential utilization and ethnobotany of trees in Kitulanghalo Forest Reserve and surrounding communal lands, Eastern Tanzania

This study documents the utilization aspects and distribution of ethnobotan ical knowledge of the local people of Morogoro, Tanzania, as a first step t owards sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical woodlands. A to tal of 133 arborescent species in 31 families was identified of which 69% h ad a variety of uses. These uses were classified into 12 categories and maj or uses were charcoal, firewood, medicine, and poles. Most tree species hav e occasional uses, but a few are exceptionally useful and thus their levels of utilization may far exceed their regeneration and production. The quest ionnaire survey indicated that 62% of the respondents agreed that tradition al medical services were more available than modern sen ices. Utilization s urveys indicated that wooden poles are the building,material used in 98% of the dwellings and storage structures, wild foods were useful for food secu rity especially during drought years, and high quality timber trees have be en depleted in the forest because of earlier exploitation by pit-sawing. Th e distribution of ethnobotanical knowledge indicated that muck of the relev ant ethnobotanical and utilization information was held by more aged member s of the society and hence there is a clear need to capture this knowledge before it is lost, This study has shown that resources are defined by use a nd culture, and some components of ethnobotanical knowledge have potential for the sustainable management of miombo woodlands.