Useful Tree Species for Eastern Africa

a species selection tool based on the VECEA Map


Afromontane rain forest (Fa)

Description

Afromontane rain forest is very similar in structure (physiognomy) to certain types of Guineo-Congolian rain forest. Species composition, however, is almost entirely different. Floristic differentiation between Afromontane rain forest and Guineo-Congolian rain forest includes the occurrence of tree ferns (Cyathea) and the occurrence of conifers (especially Podocarpus latifolius; White 1983 p. 164 - 165).

These forests occur mainly between 1200 and 2500 m on the slopes of certain mountains. However, the altitudinal limits vary greatly according to distance from the equator, proximity to the ocean, and size and configuration of the massif on which these forests occur (White 1983 p. 164). The mean annual rainfall lies mostly between 1250 and 2500 mm. Mists that frequently occur during the dry season of one to five months may explain the fact that Afromontane rain forest is much less deciduous than lowland semi-evergreen forests that receive similar rainfall. Only a few of the larger tree species (Entandophragma excelsum and Pouteria adolfi-friedericii) lose their leaves - and then only for a few days (White 1983 p. 164).


C. K. Ruffo 2008; Figure 3.2 in VECEA Volume 2

Plant species

The main species recorded to occur within this vegetation type are listed below. Clicking the name of any of these species will open the page for that species on the Agroforestry Species Switchboard. Between brackets the English vernacular name of the species and the documented country distribution of the species (B=Burundi, E=Ethiopia, K=Kenya, M=Malawi, R=Rwanda, T=Tanzania, U=Uganda, Z=Zambia) is provided.

Based on information on species presence in national manifestations of vegetation types, each species was classified as a regionally dominant, characteristic, present or marginal species for a vegetation type (Read more ...)

Products and environmental services of tree species

Documented products and environmental services for the tree species occurring in this vegetation type (Fa) are listed below. Clicking the name of any of these species will open the page for that species on the Agroforestry Species Switchboard. Between brackets information is given on the status of each species ('dom' indicates dominant species, 'cha' characteristic species, 'pre' other species and 'mar' species of marginal occurrence), the English vernacular name of the species and the documented country distribution of the species (B=Burundi, E=Ethiopia, K=Kenya, M=Malawi, R=Rwanda, T=Tanzania, U=Uganda, Z=Zambia).

Wood

Human consumption

Animal consumption

Environmental services

Other products

For more detailed information about the species occurrences see this excel workbook. It provides country specific information on species composition for this vegetation type. It also allows you to select a subset of useful tree species to provide desired products and services. For each species links to a number of websites / databases with information about this species are provided as well.

Conservation status

The table shows the area (km2) of the vegetation type and the percentage of this area explicitly designated for biodiversity, species or landscape protection (A) and areas designated for both protection and sustainable use objectives (B). Only the nationally designated protected areas were included.

PNV Area (km2) A (%) B (%)
Fa 74,291 4.30 32.40
Fa/Fb 13,259 11.00 12.50

A) Include the IUCN categories I - IV; B) Include the IUCN categories V - VI and the protected areas without IUCN classification. Read more

Links

Species selection tool
Other vegetation types
//vegetationmap4africa.org
Documentation

Citation and terms of use

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