Tree Canopy Cover and Forest Structure Analysis at University of Namibia Ogongo Campus

Tree canopy cover and forest structure are essential for preserving biodiversity, as they provide critical habitats and resources for countless species. Additionally, they play a vital role in regulating climate by sequestering carbon, moderating temperatures, and enhancing soil health, contributing to ecosystem resilience. A study was conducted at University of Namibia (UNAM) Ogongo campus at selected sites to determine the tree canopy and forest structure. A total of 100 trees at Old Administration block, Crop science, and Main Hall were measured for tree canopy and diameter at breast height (DBH). Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicate that there were significance (P<0.05) differences on tree canopy cover among the different sites. The Main Hall had a tree canopy cover of 97.6% followed by Old Administration block (68.4%) and then Crop Science (54.8%). An overall tree canopy cover of 73.7% was observed. This high level of canopy cover suggests a dense, well-developed forest structure, which is likely to regulate local microclimates, and provide strong carbon sequestration potential. A further analysis on the forest structure was done using the Namibia National Forest Inventory (NFI) DBH classification of small (5 – 19.9 cm), medium (20.0 – 44.9 cm), and large (≥45.0 cm). The results indicate that tree density for each site and the overall forest was normally distributed. The densities for the overall forest were 16 stems per hectare (sph) (small), 68 sph (medium), and 18 sph (large). In practical terms, this suggests a relatively even distribution of trees across the landscape, which can contribute to a balanced forest structure that supports ecological stability, uniform habitat availability, and more predictable ecosystem services, such as carbon storage and nutrient cycling. Therefore, the study recommends a regular monitoring and adaptive management that will further ensure that tree density remains evenly distributed as the trees in the sites matures.