Original Research

Vegetation structure and small-scale pattern in Miombo Woodland, Marondera, Zimbabwe

B. M. Campbell, R. N. Cunliffe, J. Gambiza
Bothalia | Vol 25, No 1 | a721 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v25i1.721 | © 1995 B. M. Campbell, R. N. Cunliffe, J. Gambiza | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 09 October 1995 | Published: 09 October 1995

About the author(s)

B. M. Campbell, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
R. N. Cunliffe, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
J. Gambiza, Departmenl of Research and Specialist Services, Zimbabwe

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Abstract

The aim ol this paper is to describe woodland structure and small-scale patterning of woody plants at a miombo site, and to relate these to past disturbance and soil properties. Brachystegia spiciformis Benth. and Julbemardia globiflora (Benth.) Troupin were the most frequent woody plants at the five hectare site, with size-class distributions which were markedly skewed towards the smaller size classes. The vegetation structure at the site and the increase in basal area over the past thirty years point to considerable disturbance prior to the present protected status. Six woodland subtypes were identified, grouped into two structural types: open and closed woodland. The distribution of woodland subtypes related closely to certain soil properties. It was hypothesized that the distribution of open and closed woodland is stable and a positive feedback mechanism by which this occurs is postulated.


Keywords

disturbance; miombo woodland; small-scale patterning; soil properties; vegetation structures; woody species; Zimbabwe

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