Comparison of the woody structure in a regressive Zambezian succession, with emphasis on high termitaria vegetation ( Luiswishi, Shaba, Zaire).

From the comparison of the vegetation developed on high termite mounds in Upper Shaba in dry evergreen forest, woodland and wooded savanna environment arises the fact that the first vegetation type possesses the largest number of peculiar woody plants. Basal area shows weak differences (31.1-24.3), highest figures occurring in woodland where 3 tree species are easily dominant: Haplocoelum foliolosum, Combretum collinum and Boscia corymbosa. The Luiswishi wooded savanna is distinguishable from Western and Southern African wooded savannas by a greater species diversity and especially by the greater number of main woody species. Available ground water and especially fire are the main driving forces controlling the evolution of Upper-Shaban vegetation. -from Author