VEGETATION STRUCTURE AND SMALL-SCALE PATTERN IN MIOMBO WOODLAND, MARONDERA, ZIMBABWE

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.