Abundance, Distribution, Utilisation and Conservation of Sinarundinaria alpinain Bwindi and Mgahinga Forest National Parks, South West Uganda

Abstract

Sinarundinaria alpina (Schumann) C.S. Chao & Renvoise, a tropical African montane bamboo, is heavily used by lo-cal communities for household items such as granaries, baskets, ropes and trays. This article presents the results of a study carried out on the abundance, distribution and utilisation of S. alpina in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. Both in-forest and household surveys were used to collect the data. It was found that canopy tree cover plays a role in the distribution of the species. Bamboo abundance and thickness decreased with increasing for-est canopy cover from the homogenous bamboo forest type to the mixed bamboo forest types. Bamboo rhizomes are harvested from the two parks for on-farm planting. We conclude with suggestions for conservation of the species