Useful Tree Species for Eastern Africa
a species selection tool based on the VECEA Map
Lowland bamboo
Description
Oxythenanthera abyssinica is one of the four bamboo species (giant grasses of 2 - 20 m or even taller with erect woody stems that persist for several years, flower gregariously and then die back, sometimes forming pure and virtually impenetrable communities) that are indigenous to Africa (one other species is Sinarundinaria alpina ( Be )). Oxythenanthera abyssinica is widespread in the Sudanian and Zambezian regions (White 1983 p. 55).
Within the VECEA map, Oxythenanthera abyssinica was only (originally) mapped as a separate vegetation type in Uganda. This vegetation type also occurs in Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. In the VECEA documentation, Oxythenanthera abyssinica was included in species assemblages for Combretum wooded grassland (Wc), Miombo woodland (Wm), North Zambezian undifferentiated woodland (Wn), Chipya woodland and wooded grassland (Wy) and Termitaria vegetation ( T ).

I. Friis and Sebsebe Demissew 2006; Figure 7.1 in VECEA Volume 5
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.
- Dominant species: Oxytenanthera abyssinica
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 | III | V | VI | NC | NP | Sum |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L | 17 | 0 | 7 | 452 | 935 | 1,411 |
Sum | 17 | 0 | 7 | 452 | 935 | 1,411 |
IUCN | L | Sum |
---|---|---|
III | 17 | 17 |
V | 0 | 0 |
VI | 7 | 7 |
NC | 452 | 452 |
NP | 935 | 935 |
Sum | 1,411 | 1,411 |
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
Click here for the full terms of use, disclaimer and errors and omissions statement that accompanies our data. When using our data, you agree with these terms.