Butterflies’ diversity indicates habitat quality in Magombera Nature Forest Reserve, Tanzania

Butterflies are widely recognized as biological indicators of habitat quality due to sensitivity to environmental changes and habitat disturbances. This study aimed to assess butterflies’ species diversity in Magombera Nature Forest Reserve (MNFR), Tanzania as indication of forest recovery from the previous disturbances. Specifically, the study aimed to assess i) current status of butterfly species richness and diversity in MNFR, and (ii) butterfly species abundance, dominance and distribution in MNFR. Data collected through line transects using sweep nets and visual observations across the forest area of 2,623 ha. Species richness computed as a total number of species in a given area, species diversity computed using Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (H') and abundance computed as a total count of all individuals. The results indicated that a total of 155 butterfly species belonging to six families and 64 genera recorded in MNFR. Closed forest had high species richness (105) and diversity values (H' = 4.06) and Grassland has least species (46) and diversity values (H' = 3.27). Variation in vegetation composition in MNFR influence higher butterfly species richness, diversity and abundance in closed forest and open woodland than in grassland and riparian vegetation indicating the improvement of forest recovery from prior disturbances after being upgraded to nature reserve in 2018. Therefore, intensive management approaches that currently implemented by the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) at MNFR should be maintained to overcome other ecological changes. This will assure proper ecological flow within the forest and between Udzungwa Mountain National Park and Selous Game Reserve.