Environmental Detarminants of North-western Savanna Woodland, Namibia

Despite their importance, there is inadequate knowledge on small-scale ecosystem dynamics of savannas. This book assessed the influences of soils, fire and wood harvesting on floristic diversity, composition, and structure in Uukolonkadhi community forest of north western Namibia. Local indigenous knowledge system was integrated by using main four indigenous land units to stratify the study area. All individual plants, were identified and recorded in each sample plots. Tree heights and basal diameters were measured. Soil samples were collected and analysed for physical and chemical properties. Soil texture gradient was the most important factor in influencing species diversity, richness, structural components and in separating floristic associations. On the basis of small-scale vegetation dynamics, the book concluded that soil characteristics and disturbances are determinants of the vegetation. The book suggested that management of the forest resources in different land units should be different rather than uniform, taking into consideration the differences in soil properties, vegetation dynamics and land uses.