Useful Tree Species for Eastern Africa
a species selection tool based on the VECEA Map
Mopane woodland and scrub woodland
Description
Vegetation communities that are dominated by Colophospermum mopane are widespread in the drier half of the Zambezian region. Nearly everywhere mopane woodland (which can reach heights up to 30 m; C. Dudley, pers. comm.) occurs in mosaic with mopane scrub woodland (a stunted variant (< 8 m) of mopane woodland). Despite differences in height and density of different mopane communities, there is a remarkable physiognomic uniformity due to the almost complete dominance of Colophospermum mopane and its typical appearance (White 1983 p. 94). The butterfly-shaped leaves consisting of a single pair of large leaflets can easily be recognized (see Figure 10.6 in Volume 3, for example).

- Dudley; Figure 10.1 in VECEA Volume 3
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: Colophospermum mopane
- Characteristic species: Acacia nigrescens, Adansonia digitata, Combretum imberbe, Kirkia acuminata, Sclerocarya birrea
- Other species present: Abutilon angulatum, Acacia nilotica, Acacia senegal, Adenium obesum, Afzelia quanzensis, Albizia amara, Albizia anthelmintica, Allophylus africanus, Balanites aegyptiaca, Bauhinia petersiana, Brachystegia boehmii, Capparis tomentosa, Combretum adenogonium, Commiphora africana, Cordyla africana, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Dichrostachys cinerea, Diospyros kirkii, Erythrina abyssinica, Euphorbia candelabrum, Flacourtia indica, Grewia bicolor, Hyphaene petersiana, Lannea discolor, Lannea schweinfurthii, Lonchocarpus capassa, Markhamia zanzibarica, Pterocarpus lucens, Salvadora persica, Securidaca longipedunculata, Strychnos potatorum, Tamarindus indica, Terminalia prunioides, Ximenia americana, Ziziphus mucronata
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.II | cat.III | cat.VI | NC | NP | Sum |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wo | 13,594 | 3 | 19,660 | 1,147 | 13,845 | 48,249 |
Sum | 13,594 | 3 | 19,660 | 1,147 | 13,845 | 48,249 |
IUCN | Wo | Sum |
---|---|---|
cat.II | 13,594 | 13,594 |
cat.III | 3 | 3 |
cat.VI | 19,660 | 19,660 |
NC | 1,147 | 1,147 |
NP | 13,845 | 13,845 |
Sum | 48,249 | 48,249 |
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.