Useful Tree Species for Eastern Africa
a species selection tool based on the VECEA Map
Zambezian dry evergreen forest
Description
Zambezian dry evergreen forest rarely exceeds 25 m in height except for a few emergents. This forest represents a physiognomic and floristic transition from Guineo-Congolian rain forest to Zambezian woodland (e.g., Miombo woodland ( Wm ), but also contains Afromontane species. Zambezian dry evergreen forest is simpler in structure than Guineo-Congolian rain forest, the leaves of the dominant trees are more coriaceous (‘leathery’) and have few drip-tips (White 1983 p. 89).
Compared to Guineo-Congolian rain forest, Zambezian dry evergreen forest is floristically relatively poor. Floristic composition varies greatly from place to place. There are eight dominant and emergent tree species that overlap considerably with each other, although no species occurs throughout: Berlinia giorgii, Cryptosepalum exfoliatum ssp. pseudotaxus, Daniellia alsteeniana, Entandrophragma delevoyi, Marquesia acuminata, Marquesia macroura, Parinari excelsa and Syzygium guineense ssp. afromontanum. Cryptosepalum exfoliatum ssp. pseudotaxus dominates the most distinct type of Zambezian dry evergreen forest which occurs on Kalahari Sand (White 1983 pp. 89 - 90).

C. Dudley; Figure 13.1 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: Berlinia giorgii, Cryptosepalum exfoliatum, Daniellia alsteeniana, Entandrophragma delevoyi, Marquesia acuminata, Marquesia macroura, Parinari excelsa, Syzygium guineense
- Other species present: Albizia adianthifolia, Apodytes dimidiata, Baphia massaiensis, Bersama abyssinica, Cassipourea malosana, Chrysophyllum gorungosanum, Diospyros abyssinica, Erythrophleum suaveolens, Guibourtia coleosperma, Margaritaria discoidea, Maytenus acuminata, Olea capensis, Peddiea africana, Podocarpus latifolius, Psydrax parviflora, Rinorea angustifolia, Smilax anceps, Strychnos lucens, Tabernaemontana pachysiphon, Vepris nobilis
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 | VI | NC | NP | Sum |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fm | 1,100 | 2,646 | 1,789 | 12,977 | 18,512 |
Sum | 1,100 | 2,646 | 1,789 | 12,977 | 18,512 |
IUCN | Fm | Sum |
---|---|---|
II | 1,100 | 1,100 |
VI | 2,646 | 2,646 |
NC | 1,789 | 1,789 |
NP | 12,977 | 12,977 |
Sum | 18,512 | 18,512 |
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.