We compared the structure and composition of vegetation communities across different land uses in the northern Gonarezhou National Park and adjacent areas, southeast Zimbabwe. Vegetation data were collected from 60 sample plots using a stratified random sampling technique from April to May 2012. Stratification was by land use, and sample plots in all three strata occurred on predominantly siallitic soils. Our results show that the communal area had higher woody plant species diversity ( ) than the protected area ( ). However, the protected area had higher grass species richness per plot than the communal area and resettlement area. Overall, the protected area had more structural and compositional diversity than the other land use areas. These findings suggest that the areas adjacent to protected areas contribute to plant diversity in the greater ecosystem; hence conservation efforts should extend beyond the boundaries of protected areas. We recommend that protected area management should engage community-based institutions in neighbouring areas for effective monitoring of woody vegetation structure and composition. 1. Introduction Wildlife conservation in today’s world is increasingly confronted by the challenges of understanding the dynamics shaping vegetation cover and species diversity as wildlife habitat straddles across the land use divide [1, 2]. One of the assumptions which have not been adequately tested is the protection of wildlife habitat in areas of different land uses surrounding protected areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature defines a protected area as “a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values” [3]. Moreover, the world commission on protected areas recently estimated that there are over 100,000 protected areas ranging from areas that strictly limit human activity to those that allow for sustainable human use [4]. Despite their prevalence in both developed and developing countries, there have been surprisingly few assessments on the ecological effectiveness of protected areas [5] and evaluation of vegetation structure and composition inside the protected areas and adjacent areas. It is assumed that biodiversity is best managed in protected areas and other areas where land has not been fragmented due to human population pressure [6, 7]. Biodiversity conservation outside protected areas is increasingly taking centre stage in global conservation
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