Abstract

Mbwana F. Patrick, Mizengo Ali Pinda and Steven Fredrick Werema

This study assessed the plant communities and species associations in the eastern Miombo woodlands ecoregion of the Lake Rukwa basin southern Tanzania. Information was collected from 288 temporary sample
plots in 32 sampling sites established randomly in the area and covering as much variation in the landscape
as possible. Detailed analysis of the vegetation identified six tree communities of conservation importance,
which included Brachystegia boehmii-Pericopsis angolensis woodland, Julbernardia globiflora woodland,
Combretum molle-Sclerocarya birrea-Combretum zeyherii-Acacia seyal var fistula woodland, Bridelia
cathartica-Diospyros mespiliformis woodland, Brachystegia bussei-Pterocarpus tinctorius woodland and
Brachystegia microphylla-Isoberlinia tomentosa-Hymenocardia acida- Syzygium owariense woodland.
Majority of the described plant communities are typical of Miombo ecosystems dominated by trees
belonging mainly to the genera Brachystegia and Julbernardia. A mixture of non-legume species but typical
of the Miombo ecosystem, however, dominates two out of six described plant communities. Apparently,
there is high variability of plant communities in the Miombo ecosystem of southern Tanzania, an indication
of the diverse nature of the Miombo ecosystem, also, an implication of high species diversity. This
documentation on the patterns of species assemblages is the beginning of unveiling the diversity of
assemblage of species in dry forest ecosystems which occupy a wide area in the region. These associations
are important targets for conservation and monitoring vegetation changes in this ecosystem.