African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems Vol.  2 (1) pp. 075-082, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Plant groups and tree species relationship in a Miombo Ecosystem in the Lake Rukwa bowl, Southern Tanzania: Implications for protection

*Jakaya Hassan, Salmin Warioba and Benjamin E. Lowassa

Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of  Agriculture, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 22 December, 2014

Abstract

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.

Key words: Miombo ecosystem, plant communities, species associations.