FIELD PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR BSC. FORESTRY- FIRST YEAR STUDENTS UNDERTAKING COURSE OF FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY (FBL 102)

First year students pursuing BSc. Forestry conducted Field Practical Training at Arusha on 12^th to 16^th August 2019. The practical was based on the course of FBL 102 – Fundamentals of Ecology taught in the class. Major aim was to equip students with hands-on skills of identifying and classifying different vegetation types alongside with their driving forces. Specifically, the practical aimed at enabling students to conduct sample vegetation assessments, apply different tools and equipment used in ecological survey and use various analytical software for dealing with ecological data. It was organized by College of Forestry, Wildlife  and Tourism under Department of Ecosystems and Conservation and Supervised by Dr. Samora A. Macrice assisted by Mr. Cosmas J. Emily and Mr. James J. Mnyonga.

During practical students visited various places including Arusha National Park (ANAPA) located 25Km from Arusha City Center. For the period of the visit they were able to identify different ecosystems and vegetation types found in ANAPA and their driving forces.

1^st Year Student observing Giraffe and other animals found in the wooded grassland at Arusha National Park.

Student spotting Big Momella Lake (Wetland ecosystem) found at ANAPA. The lake has high concentration of fluoride and supports micro-algae. Flocks of lesser and greater Flamingo dominated the Big Momella.

Students together with Park Ecologist Ms. Kimerei after having a discussion on different ecological features found in ANAPA.

Also Students conducted ecological survey at Haladali Plain Lemisingole located at Makuyuni, Monduli. During the survey students were able to identify and collect information on different plant species with the help from Botanist Mr. Mbuya.

 

Dr. Samora A. Macrice (Infront with blue jacket) demonstrating to students the techniques of establishing a plot for ecological survey.

 

 Student measuring tree height by using Hypsometer

 

Students measuring tree DBH by using caliper

 

Students using various equipment to lay out a plot in the field for plant survey.

Botanist Mr. Mbuya (1^st from left) assist students in identifying tree species found in Haladali Plain Lemisingole.

 

For more information please contact;

Dr. Samora A. Macrice

Department of Ecosystems and Conservation,

College of Forestry, Wildlife  and Tourism,

Sokoine University of Agriculture,

PO Box 3010, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
smacrice@sua.ac.tz
+255 686 366 163