Useful Tree Species for Eastern Africa

a species selection tool based on the VECEA Map



Afromontane single-dominant Hagenia abyssinica forest

Description

Hagenia abyssinica is found on most of the higher mountains between Ethiopia and northern Malawi, including Mt. Kenya, Mt. Meru (Tanzania), the Nyika Plateau (Malawi) and the Virunga mountains (Rwanda). Characteristically, Hagenia abyssinica forms almost pure stands of 9 to 15 m tall in a narrow and often interrupted zone between the montane Ericaceous belt ( E ) and taller types of Afromontane rain forest (Fa) or Afromontane undifferentiated forest (Fbu). The best-developed stands are clearly forest, but other stands have a structure that is better described as woodland or scrub forest (White 1983 p. 166).

Some authors have suggested that Afromontane single-dominant Hagenia abyssinica forest is a climax vegetation type where low night temperatures exclude other trees. However, even at high altitudes the dominance of Hagenia abyssinica is probably still the result from disturbance. (White 1983 p. 166).


V. Minani 2008; Figure 6.1 in VECEA Volume 2

Useful woody species

The main species recorded to occur within this vegetation type are listed below. Clicking the name of any of these species will open the page for that species on the Agroforestry Species Switchboard.

For more detailed information about the species occurrences see this excel workbook. It provides country specific information on species composition for this vegetation type. It also allows you to select a subset of useful tree species to provide desired products and services. For each species links to a number of websites / databases with information about this species are provided as well.

Conservation status

The table shows the area (km2) of the PNV is outside the protected areas (NP) and the area protected within one of the protected areas, split by IUCN management category. Only the nationally designated protected areas were included.

PNVIINCNPSum
Fd2483225305
Fd/B2423320295
Sum4906545600
IUCNFdFd/BSum
II248242490
NC323365
NP252045
Sum305295600

Ia - Strict nature reserve, Ib - Wilderness area, II - National park, III - Natural monument or feature, IV - Habitat/species management area, V - Protected landscape/seascape, VI - Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources, NC - unclassified or not assigned, NP - outside the protected areas

Links

Citation and terms of use

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