| dc.description.abstract | Experiments were set to determine the effect of monthly and seasonal harvesting on temporal papyrus population
density. Mean initial culm count was 21.6±2.26/m2. Initial culm counts varied across sites, but spatial differences were
not significant. Mean monthly culm counts declined with successive harvests, and each sequential harvest significantly
reduced culm counts. Seasonal culm counts were generally higher in unharvested than in harvested plots, and the
differences were significant in Nduru (F=13.569; p<0.05). There were no culm counts differences within and among
sites between initial and seasonally harvested plots. Overall, there were more culms in seasonal (32.3±3.34/m2) than
in initial counts. It was found that culm counts do not depend on site, and that harvesting reduces culm counts. It
is evident that seasonal harvesting does not affect culm counts. Leaving a papyrus crop stand unharvested for more
than a season increases its culm count. Given that frequent harvesting reduces culm count, and considering that initial
papyrus population densities were the lowest across sites, it may be concluded that Winam Gulf papyrus is harvested
faster than the wetlands can replenish. This finding highlights the need for urgent conservation measures in the area.
It is suggested that papyrus conservation steps be undertaken most urgently in Winam Gulf. A minimum-harvesting
regime at the start is once per patch per season. However, fewer patches were studied relative to the entire swamps.
A more elaborate assessment, covering larger areas and more swamps, with greater effort, should be undertaken to
determine the replenishment break-even point. | en_US |
