Author(s)

Suma Fahamu Kibonde^1*, Suzana Augustino², Faith Philemon Mabiki³

¹Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Solomon Mahlangu College of Science and Education, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania.
²Department of Forest Engineering and Wood Sciences, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania.
³Department of Chemistry and Physics, Solomon Mahlangu College of Science and Education, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania.

This study aimed at prioritizing medicinal plants used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections and assessing their wild population status. Data were collected using focus group discussions and inventories. Preference ranking and Microsoft Excel and QGIS software were used for data analysis. Up to seven species were prioritized as the most important in the disease management. It was also found that the species dominated the landscape with elevation between 1950 to 2050 masl. Moreover, the species displayed linear pattern distribution adjacent rivers. With regards to population structure, the species revealed J-shaped curves. The species density was 200/ha for Hagenia abyssinica and 28/ha for Myrica salicifolia. The dominance of species in higher altitudes as cited above indicates that they flourish well in highlands. The tendency of them to grow adjacent water sources reveals their water or moisture loving. Moreover, the J-shaped curves observed imply poor recruitment and hence unsustainable. The study recommends for urgent conservation plans especially on the sampled species. There is a need to ensure strict measures are put in place to safeguard the medicinal plant species to ensure their sustainability.

Spatial Distribution, Sustainability, Priority, Medicinal Plants, Rungwe

Kibonde, S. , Augustino, S. and Mabiki, F. (2020) Population Status of Hagenia abyssinica and Myrica salicifolia: A Reflection from Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, Tanzania. Open Journal of Ecology, 10, 585-595. doi: 10.4236/oje.2020.108036.