The Ecology of the Marquesia Acuminata (Gilg) R.E.FR. Evergreen Forest and the Related Chipya Vegetation Types of North-Eastern Rhodesia

Abstract

The composition and structure of the Marquesia acuminata evergreen forest, the chipya associations and miombo woodland are described. M. acuminata forms over 90% of the upper canopy of the forest and if this species is exploited the forest is destroyed. The forest is replaced by an Inflammable plant community, the Aframomum/Pteridium/Hyparrhenia spp. association. Fire-hardy tree species from the miombo woodland colonize this community to give rise to chipya vegetation, a fire climax association. Thickets became established in the chipya and may eventually restore the evergreen forest. Aerial photographs have been used to interpret the succession of vegetation types. A mechanical analysis of the soil types indicates that the Marquesia acuminata, the Afranomum association and the chipya vegetation occur on sandy soils, whereas the miombo woodland is confined to clay soils.