Evaluating diversity and abundance of plants traditionally used for malaria treatment and the role of local communities in their conservation at Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve, Tanzania

Africa is well known for its abundant natural resources and its vast diversity of plant species. These plants are vital to human health, serving as sources of traditional remedies. In Tanzania, many ethnic groups use medicinal plants to treat malaria, one of Africa’s most widespread infectious diseases. However, some of these plant species are over-exploited, leading to declines in their abundance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of anthropogenic activities on the composition and diversity of medicinal plants used in the treatment of malaria in the selected villages adjacent to the Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve (MNFR). An ecological survey was systematically conducted in these villages and within MNFR to collect information on species composition, along with data on the diversity of plants traditionally used for malaria treatment and the level of anthropogenic activities. A questionnaire survey was employed to evaluate the contribution of local people’s participation in conserving such plants. Results show that 20 plant species mentioned by the respondents were used as medicinal plants to treat malaria. Results also show that grazing land was disturbed by agricultural activities, while the MNFR was highly disturbed by Illegal logging, agricultural expansion, illegal grazing, and charcoal production. Furthermore, it was revealed that Maesa lanceolata was the dominant species in the grazing land (6.45%), while Solanum incanum dominated the most (23.81%) at MNFR. Additionally, Leucas jamesii was the least dominant species in the grazing land (1.94%), whereas Grewia villosa had the lowest dominance (0.85%) at the MNFR. It was also found that plants traditionally used for malaria treatment diversity at the grazing land was higher (H’ = 3.14) compared to that at MNFR (H’ = 2.37). It was recommended that an appropriate strategic plan be put forward to organize the extraction and utilization of these plant species in a sustainable, environmentally healthy manner.