Impact of Pteridium aquilinum on vegetation in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda

A study at Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, reveals that the fern Pteridium aquilinum acts as a significant ecological filter, altering vegetation dynamics and restricting tree growth while promoting ruderal species. Dominant in three of four identified plant communities with average coverages ranging from 4% to 31%, P. aquilinum was associated with higher proportions of disturbed forest indicators such as ruderals (76%) and chamaephytes (48%). In contrast, non-dominated areas exhibited greater diversity, richness, and a prevalence of competitive phanerophytes (52%), characteristic of primary forests. The research employed 53 plots along mountain transects, analyzing species composition, cover abundance, and ecological traits using MVSP software and the Shannon-Weiner index to quantify community structure. Findings suggest P. aquilinum's dominance is linked to forest disturbance, with Macaranga kilimandischarica emerging as a key tree species in cut-areas.

Senyanzobe, J. M. V., Mulei, J. M., Bizuru, E., & Nsengimuremyi, C. (2020). Impact of Pteridium aquilinum on vegetation in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda. Heliyon, 6(9), e04806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04806