Vegetation structure, composition and biodiversity in locally protected forests and woodlands in Inhambane Province, southern Mozambique

This study presents the vegetation composition of two forests, Chitanga and Mafai in Inhambane Province, Mozambique, which are protected by local communities. Plant diversity, forest structure and the existence of threatened plant species are assessed. This is the first biological study carried out in locally protected forests in Inhambane Province. Plant species were recorded in twelve 20 m × 20 m plots. A total of 952 plants from 151 species, 166 genera and 30 families were identified. 50 plant species occurred in both forests; 64 were only recorded in Chitanga; and 37 were unique to Mafai. In both forests, plant communities were dominated by the Fabaceae and Malvaceae families. Statistical analysis on the number of plants, genera, stand density, stand basal area, species richness, Shannon diversity, Inverse Simpson, and Piélou evenness indices shows that on average Chitanga is similar to Mafai. Both forests host near endemic and red listed plant species (Cissampelos hirta, Dolichandrone alba, Diospyros inhacaesis, Hyperacanthus microphyllus, Paropsia braunii, Synaptolepis oliveriana, and Vepris myrei). The study is significant in demonstrating the biological richness of locally protected forests. It illustrates how locally organised protection through customary laws plays an important role in the biodiversity and conservation status of non-formally protected areas. Inventories of other heritage forests in Inhambane province and Mozambique are recommended for the future firstly, as a means of providing botanical data and, secondly, as a means of supporting the formal adoption of heritage forest as conservation areas in a manner that does not alienate the communities safeguarding the forests.