Classification and mapping of the woody vegetation of Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe.

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dc.citation.doi10.4102/koedoe.v58i1.1388en_ZA
dc.citation.issue1en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMartini, F.
dc.contributor.authorCunliffe, R.
dc.contributor.authorde Sanctus, M.
dc.contributor.authorD' Ammando, G.
dc.contributor.authorAttorre, F.
dc.contributor.authorFarcomeni, A.
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-13T12:39:07Z
dc.date.available2017-04-13T12:39:07Z
dc.date.issued2016-09
dc.description.abstractWithin the framework of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), the purpose of this study was to produce a classification of the woody vegetation of the Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe, and a map of its potential distribution. Cover-abundance data of woody species were collected in 330 georeferenced relevés across the Park. These data were used to produce two matrices: the first one using the cover-abundance values as collected in five height layers and the second one based on merging the layers into a single cover value for each species. Automatic classifications were produced for both matrices to determine the optimal number of vegetation types. The two classification approaches both produced 14 types belonging to three macro-groups: mopane, miombo and alluvial woodlands. The results of the two classifications were compared looking at the constant, dominant and diagnostic species of each type. The classification based on separate layers was considered more effective and retained. A high-resolution map of the potential distribution of vegetation types for the whole study area was produced using Random Forest. In the model, the relationship between bioclimatic and topographic variables, known to be correlated to vegetation types, and the classified relevés was used. Identified vegetation types were compared with those of other national parks within the GLTFCA, and an evaluation of the main threats and pressures was conducted. Conservation implications: Vegetation classification and mapping are useful tools for multiple purposes including: surveying and monitoring plant and animal populations, communities and their habitats, and development of management and conservation strategies. Filling the knowledge gap for the Gonarezhou National Park provides a basis for standardised and homogeneous vegetation classification and mapping for the entire Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area.en_ZA
dc.description.librarianNCS2017en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMartini, F. et al.2016.Classification and mapping of the woody vegetation of Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe.koedoe 58 (1): Article number a1388.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0075-6458 (Print)
dc.identifier.issn2071-0771 (Online)
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10539/22388
dc.journal.titleKoedoeen_ZA
dc.journal.volume58en_ZA
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherAOSIS OpenJournals Publishing AOSIS (Pty) Ltd.en_ZA
dc.rights© 2016. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.en_ZA
dc.subjectGreat Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Areaen_ZA
dc.subjectclassificationen_ZA
dc.subjectwoody vegetationen_ZA
dc.subjectGonarezhou National Park, Zimbabween_ZA
dc.subjectSOUTH-AFRICAen_ZA
dc.subjectCLIMATIC GRADIENTSen_ZA
dc.subjectPROTECTED AREASen_ZA
dc.subjectRANDOM FORESTSen_ZA
dc.subjectTREEen_ZA
dc.subjectCOMMUNITIESen_ZA
dc.subjectWOODLANDen_ZA
dc.subjectPREDICTIONen_ZA
dc.subjectDIVERSITYen_ZA
dc.subjectIMPACTen_ZA
dc.titleClassification and mapping of the woody vegetation of Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe.en_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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