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.
- Dominant species: Hagenia abyssinica
- Characteristic species: Apodytes dimidiata, Hypericum revolutum, Ilex mitis, Kiggelaria africana, Nuxia congesta, Nuxia floribunda, Podocarpus latifolius, Prunus africana, Rapanea melanophloeos, Xymalos monospora
- Other species present: Cassipourea malosana, Cornus volkensii, Cussonia spicata, Lepidotrichilia volkensii, Olea capensis, Olinia rochetiana, Pittosporum viridiflorum, Schefflera volkensii
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 | II | NC | NP | Sum |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fd | 248 | 32 | 25 | 305 |
Fd/B | 242 | 33 | 20 | 295 |
Sum | 490 | 65 | 45 | 600 |
IUCN | Fd | Fd/B | Sum |
---|---|---|---|
II | 248 | 242 | 490 |
NC | 32 | 33 | 65 |
NP | 25 | 20 | 45 |
Sum | 305 | 295 | 600 |
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.