IDENTIFYING AREAS WITHIN A COUNTRY CLIMATICALLY SUITABLE FOR PARTICULAR TREE SPECIES: AN EXAMPLE USING ZIMBABWE

Abstract

Data from 107 temperature and 484 rainfall recording stations within Zimbabwe were analysed to produce a climatic database for 4,999 locations in a regular five- minute grid across the country. From monthly mean values of daily maximum temperature, daily minimum temperature and total precipitation, five factors important for tree species selection were calculated for each point. These were: mean annual rainfall, dry season length, mean maximum temperature of the hottest month, mean minimum temperature of the coldest month, and mean annual temperature. A microcomputer program was written which allows this database to be interrogated. Maps can be generated on the microcomputer screen which indicate areas climatically suitable for growing particular species. To provide more detailed information for specific locations another microcomputer program was developed. This allows monthly mean maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation to be estimated for any location within Zimbabwe. It is concluded that these programs should assist the introduction of multi-purpose trees to Zimbabwe and that similar programs would be useful for other countries.