A reassessment of the fire-tolerance of some miombo woody species in the Central Province, Zambia

The fire-tolerance of 21 woody species in a dry miombo woodland in the Cent ral Province, Zambia was evaluated and compared to an existing classificati on. The evaluation is based on differences in the vertical distribution of canopy volumes over a range of height intervals after repeated exposure of woodlands to fire. Woody species that showed an inverse correlation between canopy volume and tree height were classified as fire-sensitive, whilst th ose that showed a positive correlation were classified as fire-tolerant. A new method of a rapid and simple field evaluation is described, and further applications are discussed.