The aim of this paper is to describe woodland structure and small-scal
e patterning of woody plants at a miombo site, and to relate these to
past disturbance and soil properties. Brachystegia spiciformis Benth a
nd Julbernardia globiflora (Benth.) Troupin were the most frequent woo
dy plants at the five hectare site, with size-class distributions whic
h were markedly skewed towards the smaller size classes. The vegetatio
n structure at the site and the increase in basal area over the past t
hirty years point to considerable disturbance prior to the present pro
tected status. Six woodland subtypes were identified, grouped into two
structural types: open and closed woodland The distribution of woodla
nd subtypes related closely to certain soil properties. It was hypothe
sized that the distribution of open and closed woodland is stable and
a positive feedback mechanism by which this occurs is postulated.