Abstract:

The conservation status of indigenous woody plant species used by pastoralists of southwestern Uganda was assessed between August and December 2013. The objectives of the study were i) to identify the indigenous woody species used by pastoralists; ii) to determine the population structure of plant species used; iii) to assess changes in the diversity of indigenous woody plant species overtime; and iv) to analyze human factors affecting conservation of priority indigenous woody plant species and identify mitigating strategies. Methods of data collection included a survey of 100 households in Ankole ranching scheme and inventory of woody plants in 55 nested plots of 50 m x 50 m. The results show that 70 species are used by the pastoralists. These belong to 31 families with family Fabaceae having the highest number of species. Tire major uses include human and livestock medicine, firewood, fodder, food, poles and timber. Tire major species used are: Vernonia atnmygdalina, Acacia sieberriana, Acacia hockii, Carissa edulis and Albizia coriaria respectively. Tire plants exhibit an inverse J population structure depicting a sustainable population. Based on the IUCN Red list most species are categorized as Least Concern (LC) with one species (Rytigyna tnacrurd) as Data Deficient, hi terms of trends in diversity, there was no significant difference between the species recorded in 2013 and the baseline inventory data of 1998, although there was an increase in number of species in the current study. Species such as Asparagus Jlagellaris, Microglossa angolensis, Nuxia congesta, Ficus ova la, Gardenia sp, Lantana trifolia and Duranta erecta were added in the inventory of 2013. Over grazing and uncontrolled harvesting are the leading human induced threats to the conservation of woody plants. Other factors include fires and agriculture. In conclusion, pastoral ism production lands have a high potential for the conservation of indigenous woody plants. Integrating the conservation of species in restoration programs of rangelands, development of domestication packages for major species used, establishment of community-based conservation platform, species re-introduction for indigenous woody species which were found missing in the current inventory and zoning of grazing sites in paddocks are recommended to enhance conservation of indigenous woody plant species.