Native Species Composition and Diversity of Valuable Woody Plants Regeneration during Fallow Period in Kamwatta, Moruca, Guyana

An intelligent method of shifting cultivation to regenerate vegetation after a long fallow period is critical information for restoration strategies. The literature review identified that the assessment of woody plant species on abandoned farmland has never been done before in Kamwatta, Moruca Region 1. In addition, more information should be available in indigenous communities and at the national level, including more documentation of the utilization of natural resources by the Warrau community. This study assessed the valuable woody plant species that grew during the fallow periods. Nine farmlands were randomly selected along a 100 m transect, each with varying fallow periods. In order to collect information on the age of farm abandonment, the researcher employed a mixed-methods approach. First, we found how long each farm had been fallow by administering a semi-structured questionnaire. Then, we conducted a flora survey to gain information on the variety and abundance of valuable plants using the age of farm abandonment as a dependent variable. The data analysis included the number of valuable woody trees with a diameter of >10 cm, seedlings and saplings with a diameter of <10 cm, the location of identified trees, and the uses of identified tree species. Microsoft Excel was used to code and analyze the questionnaire, while QGIS, Shannon’s Index of Diversity, and Simple Linear Regression were used to analyze the inventory data. The results showed that the respondents listed 38 valuable woody species, and 79% occurred in the studied area. The field verification revealed that the dominant family in the area was Mimosaceae. Species abundance increased with fallow up to 10 years before declining in the latter years. Plant diversity and abundance had a weak relationship with the age of abandoned farmlands for woody trees, while the seedlings and saplings showed no relationship.