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<p>Mountain agricultural landscapes represent mosaics of land use and cover that often support high species diversity and ecosystem services. In Tanzania, mountain ecosystems like those in the North Pare Mountains (NPMs) within the Eastern Arc Mountains are ecologically significant and culturally valuable, sustaining local livelihoods and contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, assessments linking biodiversity, ecosystem services, and SDGs contributions in these systems remain limited. This study evaluated the composition, diversity, and local use of on-farm vascular plants across altitudinal gradients in the agricultural landscapes of the NPMs. 300 plots (each 100&#xa0;m²) were established in farmers’ fields, where all plant species were recorded and their uses documented based on farmer input. Plant use patterns were analyzed concerning farmers’ socioeconomic attributes, while species richness and composition across elevations were assessed using ANOVA and PERMANOVA. Plant uses were matched to corresponding significant SDGs. Results revealed high plant species richness (330 species) and diversity (Shannon Index: 2.21), with significant variation across elevation. Vuchama village, located at higher altitudes, had the highest richness, while Kileo village at lower elevations had the least. Reported plant uses were significantly shaped by socio-cultural context, with village identity emerging as the strongest predictor of the specific uses reported by farmers, while age, gender, and education level showed comparatively weaker associations, underscoring the importance of local socio-cultural context in shaping plant utilization. The analysis of plant utility indicated multiple socio-economic benefits aligned with seven SDGs: 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health), 7 (Affordable Clean Energy), 8 (Decent Work), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land). These findings underscore the overlooked ecological and socio-economic importance of mountain agro-ecosystems as reservoirs of both biodiversity and locally embedded knowledge. We recommend that conservation and rural development policy in the Eastern Arc Mountains explicitly recognize traditional agroforestry landscapes, rather than only formally protected forests, as legitimate targets for biodiversity conservation investment, and that agricultural extension programmes account for village-level variation in plant use when designing interventions. Future conservation efforts should adopt a holistic landscape approach that integrates biodiversity, ecosystem services, and their contributions to achieving the SDGs.</p>

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Composition, diversity, and local use of plants in traditional agro-ecosystems and their link to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the North Pare Mountains, Tanzania

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月27日

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  • Adili Bugingo,
  • Pantaleo K. T. Munishi,
  • Halima Kilungu,
  • Samora M. Andrew,
  • Gimbage E. Mbeyale,
  • Graham W. Prescott,
  • Tuyeni H. Mwampamba,
  • Markus Fischer

摘要

Mountain agricultural landscapes represent mosaics of land use and cover that often support high species diversity and ecosystem services. In Tanzania, mountain ecosystems like those in the North Pare Mountains (NPMs) within the Eastern Arc Mountains are ecologically significant and culturally valuable, sustaining local livelihoods and contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, assessments linking biodiversity, ecosystem services, and SDGs contributions in these systems remain limited. This study evaluated the composition, diversity, and local use of on-farm vascular plants across altitudinal gradients in the agricultural landscapes of the NPMs. 300 plots (each 100 m²) were established in farmers’ fields, where all plant species were recorded and their uses documented based on farmer input. Plant use patterns were analyzed concerning farmers’ socioeconomic attributes, while species richness and composition across elevations were assessed using ANOVA and PERMANOVA. Plant uses were matched to corresponding significant SDGs. Results revealed high plant species richness (330 species) and diversity (Shannon Index: 2.21), with significant variation across elevation. Vuchama village, located at higher altitudes, had the highest richness, while Kileo village at lower elevations had the least. Reported plant uses were significantly shaped by socio-cultural context, with village identity emerging as the strongest predictor of the specific uses reported by farmers, while age, gender, and education level showed comparatively weaker associations, underscoring the importance of local socio-cultural context in shaping plant utilization. The analysis of plant utility indicated multiple socio-economic benefits aligned with seven SDGs: 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health), 7 (Affordable Clean Energy), 8 (Decent Work), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land). These findings underscore the overlooked ecological and socio-economic importance of mountain agro-ecosystems as reservoirs of both biodiversity and locally embedded knowledge. We recommend that conservation and rural development policy in the Eastern Arc Mountains explicitly recognize traditional agroforestry landscapes, rather than only formally protected forests, as legitimate targets for biodiversity conservation investment, and that agricultural extension programmes account for village-level variation in plant use when designing interventions. Future conservation efforts should adopt a holistic landscape approach that integrates biodiversity, ecosystem services, and their contributions to achieving the SDGs.