The Vegetation of Eastern British Somaliland

Abstract

The vegetation of eastern British Somaliland is descr. and related, as far as possible, to the descriptions of Gillett (1941), Collenette (1931) and Edwards (1942). Three formations are recognized; 2 deciduous and 1 evergreen. A simple line-transect technic and 0.25-meter quadrats were used and 16 resulting analytical lists are presented. The principal genera of the deciduous formations are Acacia, Grewia, Commiphora, Suaeda and Sporobolus; of the evergreen formation are Juniperus, Sideroxylon, Buxus, Dodonea, Themeda, Pennisetum, Digitaria and Cynodon. A "gypsum-tolerant" vegetation, in which many spp. of Capparidaceae are prominent together with Suaeda and its allies and Salvadora persica, is descr. TV communities resulting from the grazing coaction of domestican stock (principally camel, sheep and goat) are noted. Deteridration of the vegetation from this cause is resulting, evidenced, particularly in the mixed deciduous formation, by severe wind erosion. The climate, coupled with the present topography, suggests that desert conditions did not always obtain in their present severity. The concept of a post-climax could therefore be used in interpreting the vegetation and proved valuable in dealing with certain communities (especially of Acacia tortilis) which appeared to be very widely present through all the others recognized. In the evergreen montane vegetation certain genera were encountered which are normally regarded as "temperate" genera, e.g. Juniperus, Buxus, Lavandula, Viola, Rosa, Poa, Ehrharta and Bromus.