Frontier Tanzania Environmental Research REPORT 110 ...

Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve
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4.4.4 VEGETATION TYPES
Several vegetation types were recognised across the reserve, varying in species diversity and
abundance and physical structure; especially canopy cover.
Closed Dry Forest
Dominated by big tall trees of Dialium holtzii, Hymanaea verrucosai, Pteleopsis
madagascariensis, Diospyros sp., Albizia petersiana, Manilkara sansibarensis and
Haplocoelopsis africana, forming a closed canopy. The forest shrub Rinorea angustifolia
dominated the shrub layer in this vegetation type.
Brachystegia Forest
Characterized by big tall trees of Brachystegia spiciformis, Albizia versicolor and Lannea
schweinfurthii, forming a closed canopy. Lianes and vines were scarce to absent and shrubs
scarce to frequent, rendering this vegetation type resistant to fire.
Scrub,Thicket/Bush
Common in the northern part of the reserve (north of the railway), characterized by the presence
of Baphia puguensis, Dichapetalum stuhlmannii, Xylopia sp., Rawsonia lucida, Maytenus sp.
vines with thorns of Caesalpinia species and the endemic liane Milletia puguensis.
Open Woodland
Common in the central part of the reserve (south of the railway), dominated by Manilkara
sulcata , Magaritaria discoidea, Hymenocardia ulmoides, Annona senegalensis, Ochna
thomasiana and many Acacia species.
Wooded Grassland
Common in the north-west of the reserve (north of the railway), dominated by Maprounea sp.,
Ochna thomasiana, Parinari cuetifolia, Dalbergia melanoxylon and many Rubiaceae shrubs
mixed with different grass species.
Open areas
Areas mainly covered by grasses and small herbs such as Agathisanthum bojeri, Crotolaria sp.
and Indigofera sp.. On transect C (see Figure X) there was an open area covered by vines,
climbers and lianes of Milletia puguensis, Jusminum sp., although it was difficult to tell why there
were no standing trees.
Swamp or Riverine Forest
Occurring in small patches in the central part of the reserve along the River Mzumbwi (south of
the railway), containing mono-dominant stands of Pandanus rabaiensis. This vegetation type has
a closed canopy
Edge forest
Found along the railway (which has created large open areas 50m either side), along forest
borders and near to plantations. Dominated by Bridelia cathartica, Sapium ellipticum, Mgaritaria
discoidea, Annona senegalnsis and Combretum sp.. Different grass and herb species predominate.
Plantation forest
Old trial or experimental plots of Auraucaria sp. and Pinus patula , and plantations of Cassia
siamea and Tectona grandis were observed within the forest.
Frontier-TanzaniaCoastal Forest Research Programme