Useful Tree Species for Eastern Africa
a species selection tool based on the VECEA Map
Mangrove
Description
Mangrove is dominated by trees that occur on shores that are periodically flooded by sea-water. Mangrove was classified by White (1983) as a major physiognomic type and not as a subtype of forests - especially since near climatic and edaphic limits of mangrove, many mangrove species form communities that physiognomically resemble bushland and thickets but are otherwise very similar to “mangrove forests”.
The true mangrove species that occur in East Africa include Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Ceriops tagal, Heritiera littoralis, Lumnitzera racemosa, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum and Xylocarpus moluccensis. All these species extend further to the east and most reach the western Pacific Ocean (White 1983 pp. 54 - 55 and 261). All true mangrove species either have pneumatophores which are exposed at low tide or are viviparous (or nearly so). Most African mangrove species show both these features. Their roots are able to desalinate seawater to a high degree but some salts also accumulate in their tissues (only Avicennia species excrete salt from their leaves) (White 1983 pp. 54 - 55 and 261).

F. Gachathi 2011; Figure 3.4 in VECEA Volume 4
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.
- Characteristic species: Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Ceriops tagal, Heritiera littoralis, Lumnitzera racemosa, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum, Xylocarpus rumphii
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.
PNV | cat.VI | NC | NP | Sum |
---|---|---|---|---|
M | 73 | 783 | 772 | 1,628 |
Sum | 73 | 783 | 772 | 1,628 |
IUCN | M | Sum |
---|---|---|
cat.VI | 73 | 73 |
NC | 783 | 783 |
NP | 772 | 772 |
Sum | 1,628 | 1,628 |
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
- More about the species selection tool
- Go back to the index other vegetation types
- Go back to http://vegetationmap4africa.org
- The map is described in detail in the documentation.
Citation and terms of use
- Kindt R, van Breugel P, Orwa C, Lillesø JPB, Jamnadass R and Graudal L (2015) Useful tree species for Eastern Africa: a species selection tool based on the VECEA map. Version 2.0. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and Forest & Landscape Denmark. http://vegetationmap4africa.org
- van Breugel P, Kindt R, Lillesø JPB, Bingham M, Demissew S, Dudley C, Friis I, Gachathi F, Kalema J, Mbago F, Moshi HN, Mulumba, J, Namaganda M, Ndangalasi HJ, Ruffo CK, Védaste M, Jamnadass R and Graudal L (2015) Potential Natural Vegetation Map of Eastern Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Version 2.0. Forest and Landscape (Denmark) and World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). URL: http://vegetationmap4africa.org
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