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This study assessed the plant communities and species associations in the eastern Miombo woodlands
eco-region of the Lake Rukwa basin southern Tanzania. Information was collected from 288 temporary
sample plots in 32 sampling sites established randomly in the area and covering as much variation in
the landscape as possible. Detailed analysis of the vegetation identified six tree communities of
conservation importance, which included Brachystegia boehmii-Pericopsis angolensis woodland,
Julbernardia globiflora woodland, Combretum molle-Sclerocarya birrea-Combretum zeyherii-Acacia
seyal var fistula woodland, Bridelia cathartica-Diospyros mespiliformis woodland, Brachystegia bussei-
Pterocarpus tinctorius woodland and Brachystegia microphylla-Isoberlinia tomentosa-Hymenocardia
acida- Syzygium owariense woodland. Majority of the described plant communities are typical of
Miombo ecosystems dominated by trees belonging mainly to the genera Brachystegia and
Julbernardia. A mixture of non-legume species but typical of the Miombo ecosystem, however,
dominates two out of six described plant communities. Apparently, there is high variability of plant
communities in the Miombo ecosystem of southern Tanzania, an indication of the diverse nature of the
Miombo ecosystem, also, an implication of high species diversity. This documentation on the patterns
of species assemblages is the beginning of unveiling the diversity of assemblage of species in dry
forest ecosystems which occupy a wide area in the region. These associations are important targets for
conservation and monitoring vegetation changes in this ecosystem. |
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