The relationship between soil properties and spatial distribution of native woody species was studied in three Taita Hills forest fragments which, although degraded, are ranked among 34 biodiversity hotspots of the wo...The relationship between soil properties and spatial distribution of native woody species was studied in three Taita Hills forest fragments which, although degraded, are ranked among 34 biodiversity hotspots of the world due to their high biodiversity of both plant and animal species. This relationship was assessed by using Spearman correlation and principal component analyses （PCA）. The results of these analyses should be useful in instituting forest restoration programs that are crucial for the forests. Both the soil and vegetation studied were sampled from 17 subplots in the natural forest fragments of Ngangao （120 ha）, Chawia （86 ha） and Mbololo （185 ha）. The soil variables measured were： pH, texture, soil nutrients of C, N, Ca, P, K, Mg and Na. In total 36 native tree species from 13 families were identified from the three forest fragments. Ordination results show that axis 1 accounted for 35% and axis 2 for 25% of the total variation in species composition, indicating that the structure of vegetation is related to two major environmental gradients. The correlation analyses of species and soil properties showed that Na and clay particles were the most important determinants of species distribution; pH and soil variables such as C, N, Ca and P also played minor roles. Unexpectedly, some species （e.g. Psychotria petitii） showed positive relationships with Na attributed to possible substitution for K. Relationships with P were both positive （e.g. Craibia zimmermannii） and negative （e.g. Albizia gummifera） with some species, attributable to pH levels. An ANOVA for soil variables showed that there were differences in the Ca content in Mbololo （due to the parent material） and P in Ngangao where a special relationship was observed between some of the species. The presence of gaps accounted for the distribution of seedlings but not for the saplings, whose distribution responded more to factors similar to those to which mature trees respond. Soil-species relationships that were established may be utilized along with soil analyses when choosing native species for restoration.展开更多
Biodiversity assessment for tree species was conducted in three forest fragments ofthe Taita Hills, southeastern Kenya to compare species diversity between and within three exotic forest plantations of pine, eucalyptu...Biodiversity assessment for tree species was conducted in three forest fragments ofthe Taita Hills, southeastern Kenya to compare species diversity between and within three exotic forest plantations of pine, eucalyptus, cypress and the indigenous forests. The study sites were： Ngangao （120 ha）, Chawia （86 ha）, and Mbololo （185 ha）. A Y-plot design was used to sample 32 plots comprising of 65 subplots. At each subplot, all juvenile trees of 5 cm and above in diameter at breast height （DBH） were enumerated and recorded by species. Tree regeneration （seedlings and saplings） was tallied by species. The Shannon-Weiner Index was used to calculate species diversity and evenness. The derived Shannon’s indices were further converted into effective numbers to show the magnitude of differences in species biodiversities. To evaluate dif-ferences in species diversities, a one way ANOVA was conducted and to separate the means, Tukey＇s HSD and Duncan’s tests were used for even and uneven number of samples respectively. Jaccard’s similarity index was used to assess species similarities. There were more than 58 species whose stem densities varied between 10 and 2 000 trees per hectare.There were significant differences in species diversities between forest types and sites; the indigenous forests showed higher diversities than the exotic forests. Similarly, Chawia sites had higher species diversity than both Ngangao and Mbololo. Chawia also had a higher number of regen-erated species than the two other sites, including species such as Xymalos monospora, Rapanea melanophloeos, and Syzygium guineense, which are associated with low levels of disturbance. These findings indicate that the indigenous forest is more diverse in species as would be expected in the tropics. The high species diversity in Chawia could be accounted for by the higher levels of disturbance it underwent, unlike the two other sites. The regeneration of species associated with low levels of disturbance found in the exotic plots of Chawia show the likelihood of presence of long-term soil seed banks. The low regeneration in the exotics plots observed in Ngangao and Mbololo are likely due to the absence of seed banks since some of the plantations were established on bare land （in Ngango）, or the inherent physiology （allelopathy） of some of species repelling the regeneration of others.展开更多
Mikbi intrusion(MI) is a part of the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield located along the NE-SW trending major fracture zones prevailing southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. In this study, we present for the first time detaile...Mikbi intrusion(MI) is a part of the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield located along the NE-SW trending major fracture zones prevailing southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. In this study, we present for the first time detailed mineralogical and bulk-rock geochemical data to infer some constraints on the parental magma genesis and to understand the tectonic processes contributed to MI formation. Lithologically, it is composed of fresh peridotite, clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, anorthosite, gabbronorite, pyroxene amphibole gabbro, amphibole gabbro and diorite. All rocks have low Th/La ratios(mostly <0.2) and lack positive Zr and Th anomalies excluding significant crustal contamination. They show very low concentrations of Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf together with sub-chondritic ratios of Nb/Ta(2-15) and Zr/Hf(19-35),suggesting that their mantle source was depleted by earlier melting extraction event. The oxygen fugacity(logfO_2) estimated from diorite biotite is around the nickel-nickel oxide buffer(NNO) indicating crystallization from a relatively oxidized magma. Amphiboles in the studied mafic-ultramafic rocks indicate relative oxygen fugacity(i.e. ΔNNO; nickel-nickel oxide) of 0.28-3 and were in equilibrium mostly with 3.77-8.24 wt.% H_2 O_(melt)(i.e. water content in the melt), consistent with the typical values of subduction-related magmas. Moreover, pressure estimates(0.53-6.79 kbar) indicate polybaric crystallization and suggest that the magma chamber(s) was located at relatively shallow crustal levels. The enrichment in LILE(e.g., Cs, Ba, K and Sr) and the depletion in HFSE(e.g., Th and Nb) relative to primitive mantle are consistent with island arc signature. The olivine, pyroxene and amphibole compositions also reflect arc affinity. These inferences suggest that their primary magma was derived from partial melting of a mantle source that formerly metasomatized in a subduction zone setting. Clinopyroxene and bulkrock data are consistent with orogenic tholeiitic affinity. Consequently, the mineral and bulk-rock chemistry strongly indicate crystallization from hydrous tholeiitic magma. Moreover, their trace element patterns are subparallel indicating that the various rock types possibly result from differentiation of the same primary magma. These petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics show that the MI is a typical Alaskan-type complex.展开更多
The Eastern Pontides orogenic belt in the Black Sea region of Turkey offers a critical window to plate kinematics and subduction polarity during the closure of the Paleotethys. Here we provide a brief synthesis on rec...The Eastern Pontides orogenic belt in the Black Sea region of Turkey offers a critical window to plate kinematics and subduction polarity during the closure of the Paleotethys. Here we provide a brief synthesis on recent information from this belt. We infer a southward subduction for the origin of the Eastern Pontides orogenic belt and its associated late Mesozoic--Cenozoic magmatism based on clear spatial and temporal variations in Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic arc magmatism, together with the exis- tence of a prominent south-dipping reverse fault system along the entire southern coast of the Black Sea. Our model is at variance with some recent proposals favoring a northward subduction polarity, and illus- trates the importance of arc magmatism in evaluating the geodynamic milieu associated with convergent margin orocesses.展开更多
The Yamansu belt,an important tectonic component of Eastern Tianshan Mountains,of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,NW China hosts many Fe-(Cu)deposit.In this study,we present new zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemic...The Yamansu belt,an important tectonic component of Eastern Tianshan Mountains,of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,NW China hosts many Fe-(Cu)deposit.In this study,we present new zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemical data of the volcanic rocks of Shaquanzi Formation and diorite intrusions in the Yamansu belt.The Shaquanzi Formation comprises mainly basalt,andesite/andesitic tuff,rhyolite and sub-volcanic diabase with local diorite intrusions.The volcanic rocks and diorites contain ca.315-305 Ma and ca.298 Ma zircons respectively.These rocks show calc-alkaline affinity with enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements(LILEs),light rare-earth elements(LREEs),and depletion in high field strength elements(HFSEs)in primitive mantle normalized multi-element diagrams,which resemble typical back-arc basin rocks.They show depleted mantle signature with ε_(Nd)(t)ranging from+3.1 to +5.6 for basalt;+2.1 to+4.7 for andesite;-0.2 to+1.5 for rhyolite and the ε_(Hf)(t)ranges from-0.1 to +13.0 for andesites;+5.8 to +10.7 for andesitic tuffs.We suggest that the Shaquanzi Formation basalt might have originated from a depleted,metasomatized lithospheric mantle source mixed with minor(3-5%)subduction-derived materials,whereas the andesite and rhyolite could be fractional crystallization products of the basaltic magma.The Shaquanzi Formation volcanic rocks could have formed in an intracontinental back-arc basin setting,probably via the southward subduction of the Kangguer Ocean beneath the Middle Tianshan Massif.The Yamansu mineralization belt might have undergone a continental arc to back-arc basin transition during the Late Carboniferous and the intra-continental back-arc basin might have closed in the Early Permian,marked by the emplacement of dioritic magma in the Shaquanzi belt.展开更多
It is dominantly characterized that arc and back\|arc basin occur mutually in arc\|basin systems, Jomda arc and Sinda back\|arc basin located in Qamdo area are typical(Fig.1). Jomda arc covered by Triassic with thickn...It is dominantly characterized that arc and back\|arc basin occur mutually in arc\|basin systems, Jomda arc and Sinda back\|arc basin located in Qamdo area are typical(Fig.1). Jomda arc covered by Triassic with thickness about 10000m.Marine sediments predominate, and are Characterized by the largely thick turbidity rocks and arc volcanic rocks of calc\|alkali suite which frequent volcanic events raised. Sinda back\|arc basin with a land\|crust basement is filled by the Upper Triassic sedimentary strata of more than 5000m. The active marginal sediments are composed of terrigenous,basinal and volcanic turbidity deposits of bathyal to deep\|sea facies,Characteristic extensive alkali basalts and submarine spout hot water deposits. Based on investigation of the cutcrop pro\|file, isotime grillwork for Triassic sequence stratigraphy has been established. for example Jomda arc basin, including 6 type 1 and 4 type 2 boundaries.10 three\|order sequences are divided, including 6 type 1 and 4 type 2 sequences. These sequences evolves during 37Ma,the estimated average time of a sequences is 3～7Ma,with being generally 1～2Ma,the longest being about 10Ma. type 1 and type 2 sequence boundaries are identified, in Upper Triassic Sinda back\|arc basin two type 1 and one type 2 sequences are divided. Relations have been first concluded among mainly controlled factors of sequence stratigraphies in arc and back\|arc basin systems. First, more sequences product and three\|units of its structures are complete in arc systems of complicated tectonic\|volcanic topographies, for example Jomda arc area of island\|sea framework, because lots of deposits are supplied and accumulations are allowed. Secondly, tectonic control is very clear, type 1 boundaries of SQ1 and SQ7 are clearly unconformity interfaces stressed by tectonism.Thirdly,volcanic rocks is greatly related with sequences, and there are various volcanic rocks in mang sequences,for example Jomda sequence stratigraphies,volcanic rocks of calc alkaline suite occurs in LST which thickness occupying in LST is middle; both tholeiite and calc\|alkaline,alkaline suite (Sinda back\|arc area) in TST, thickness smallest; calc\|alkaline suite in HST, Thickness biggest. It proves that intra\|genetic association between volcanic and relative sea\|level changes, which is gained by the concordance of thick curves of volcanic rock and sea\|level in different systematic traces. When thickness of volcanic rocks growing or progressing, relative sea\|level falls; otherwise, when reducing, it rises. There are larger differences in quantities, structures and types of sequences by comparing sequence stratigraphies of arc, back\|arc with craton area. Those varieties are responses for interactions among tectonic\|volcano, sediment and eustacy. It is pointed out that tectonic and arc volcanic processes are crucial.展开更多
Uluguru forests are globally recognized as important biodiversity hotspots, but anthropogenic pressure threatens their value. This study examined species diver- sity, abundance, and structure of trees in the Uluguru f...Uluguru forests are globally recognized as important biodiversity hotspots, but anthropogenic pressure threatens their value. This study examined species diver- sity, abundance, and structure of trees in the Uluguru for- ests. All trees of diameter at breast height （DBH） 〉 10 cm were inventoried in seven forests ranging from 3 to 995 ha in area. A total of 900 stems, 101 species and 34 families were inventoried. Fabaceae was the most speciose family. Ehretia amoena Klotzsch was the most abundant species with relative abundance of 9.22 %. The forests differed significantly in species richness （26-93 species ha-l）, tree density （85-390 stems ha-l）, basal area （3-24 m2 ha-1） and Shannon-Wiener diversity （2.50--4.02）. Forest area was significantly and positively correlated with species richness （r = 0.92） and species diversity （r = 0.95）. Tree density showed significant positive correlation with speciesrichness （r = 0.80） and basal area （r = 0.85）. Milawilila and Nemele forests had highest floristic similarity （0.55） followed by Kimboza and Kilengwe （0.54） while the rest had similarity coefficients of less than 0.50. Despite leg- islative protection, many forests remain at risk and there- fore the possibility to conserve highly valuable tree species via enhanced protection or cultivation must be considered.展开更多
基金provided by the Kone Foundation (Finland) and from the TAITATOO project (110294, Academy of Finland)
文摘The relationship between soil properties and spatial distribution of native woody species was studied in three Taita Hills forest fragments which, although degraded, are ranked among 34 biodiversity hotspots of the world due to their high biodiversity of both plant and animal species. This relationship was assessed by using Spearman correlation and principal component analyses （PCA）. The results of these analyses should be useful in instituting forest restoration programs that are crucial for the forests. Both the soil and vegetation studied were sampled from 17 subplots in the natural forest fragments of Ngangao （120 ha）, Chawia （86 ha） and Mbololo （185 ha）. The soil variables measured were： pH, texture, soil nutrients of C, N, Ca, P, K, Mg and Na. In total 36 native tree species from 13 families were identified from the three forest fragments. Ordination results show that axis 1 accounted for 35% and axis 2 for 25% of the total variation in species composition, indicating that the structure of vegetation is related to two major environmental gradients. The correlation analyses of species and soil properties showed that Na and clay particles were the most important determinants of species distribution; pH and soil variables such as C, N, Ca and P also played minor roles. Unexpectedly, some species （e.g. Psychotria petitii） showed positive relationships with Na attributed to possible substitution for K. Relationships with P were both positive （e.g. Craibia zimmermannii） and negative （e.g. Albizia gummifera） with some species, attributable to pH levels. An ANOVA for soil variables showed that there were differences in the Ca content in Mbololo （due to the parent material） and P in Ngangao where a special relationship was observed between some of the species. The presence of gaps accounted for the distribution of seedlings but not for the saplings, whose distribution responded more to factors similar to those to which mature trees respond. Soil-species relationships that were established may be utilized along with soil analyses when choosing native species for restoration.
基金supported by the Academy of Finland for the funding of the TAITATOO project
文摘Biodiversity assessment for tree species was conducted in three forest fragments ofthe Taita Hills, southeastern Kenya to compare species diversity between and within three exotic forest plantations of pine, eucalyptus, cypress and the indigenous forests. The study sites were： Ngangao （120 ha）, Chawia （86 ha）, and Mbololo （185 ha）. A Y-plot design was used to sample 32 plots comprising of 65 subplots. At each subplot, all juvenile trees of 5 cm and above in diameter at breast height （DBH） were enumerated and recorded by species. Tree regeneration （seedlings and saplings） was tallied by species. The Shannon-Weiner Index was used to calculate species diversity and evenness. The derived Shannon’s indices were further converted into effective numbers to show the magnitude of differences in species biodiversities. To evaluate dif-ferences in species diversities, a one way ANOVA was conducted and to separate the means, Tukey＇s HSD and Duncan’s tests were used for even and uneven number of samples respectively. Jaccard’s similarity index was used to assess species similarities. There were more than 58 species whose stem densities varied between 10 and 2 000 trees per hectare.There were significant differences in species diversities between forest types and sites; the indigenous forests showed higher diversities than the exotic forests. Similarly, Chawia sites had higher species diversity than both Ngangao and Mbololo. Chawia also had a higher number of regen-erated species than the two other sites, including species such as Xymalos monospora, Rapanea melanophloeos, and Syzygium guineense, which are associated with low levels of disturbance. These findings indicate that the indigenous forest is more diverse in species as would be expected in the tropics. The high species diversity in Chawia could be accounted for by the higher levels of disturbance it underwent, unlike the two other sites. The regeneration of species associated with low levels of disturbance found in the exotic plots of Chawia show the likelihood of presence of long-term soil seed banks. The low regeneration in the exotics plots observed in Ngangao and Mbololo are likely due to the absence of seed banks since some of the plantations were established on bare land （in Ngango）, or the inherent physiology （allelopathy） of some of species repelling the regeneration of others.
文摘Mikbi intrusion(MI) is a part of the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield located along the NE-SW trending major fracture zones prevailing southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. In this study, we present for the first time detailed mineralogical and bulk-rock geochemical data to infer some constraints on the parental magma genesis and to understand the tectonic processes contributed to MI formation. Lithologically, it is composed of fresh peridotite, clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, anorthosite, gabbronorite, pyroxene amphibole gabbro, amphibole gabbro and diorite. All rocks have low Th/La ratios(mostly <0.2) and lack positive Zr and Th anomalies excluding significant crustal contamination. They show very low concentrations of Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf together with sub-chondritic ratios of Nb/Ta(2-15) and Zr/Hf(19-35),suggesting that their mantle source was depleted by earlier melting extraction event. The oxygen fugacity(logfO_2) estimated from diorite biotite is around the nickel-nickel oxide buffer(NNO) indicating crystallization from a relatively oxidized magma. Amphiboles in the studied mafic-ultramafic rocks indicate relative oxygen fugacity(i.e. ΔNNO; nickel-nickel oxide) of 0.28-3 and were in equilibrium mostly with 3.77-8.24 wt.% H_2 O_(melt)(i.e. water content in the melt), consistent with the typical values of subduction-related magmas. Moreover, pressure estimates(0.53-6.79 kbar) indicate polybaric crystallization and suggest that the magma chamber(s) was located at relatively shallow crustal levels. The enrichment in LILE(e.g., Cs, Ba, K and Sr) and the depletion in HFSE(e.g., Th and Nb) relative to primitive mantle are consistent with island arc signature. The olivine, pyroxene and amphibole compositions also reflect arc affinity. These inferences suggest that their primary magma was derived from partial melting of a mantle source that formerly metasomatized in a subduction zone setting. Clinopyroxene and bulkrock data are consistent with orogenic tholeiitic affinity. Consequently, the mineral and bulk-rock chemistry strongly indicate crystallization from hydrous tholeiitic magma. Moreover, their trace element patterns are subparallel indicating that the various rock types possibly result from differentiation of the same primary magma. These petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics show that the MI is a typical Alaskan-type complex.
基金The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey(TUBITAK-Grant 108Y309)
文摘The Eastern Pontides orogenic belt in the Black Sea region of Turkey offers a critical window to plate kinematics and subduction polarity during the closure of the Paleotethys. Here we provide a brief synthesis on recent information from this belt. We infer a southward subduction for the origin of the Eastern Pontides orogenic belt and its associated late Mesozoic--Cenozoic magmatism based on clear spatial and temporal variations in Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic arc magmatism, together with the exis- tence of a prominent south-dipping reverse fault system along the entire southern coast of the Black Sea. Our model is at variance with some recent proposals favoring a northward subduction polarity, and illus- trates the importance of arc magmatism in evaluating the geodynamic milieu associated with convergent margin orocesses.
基金financially supported by the Chinese National Basic Research 973-Program(No.2014CB440802)Project No.IS-2353 of GIGCAS
文摘The Yamansu belt,an important tectonic component of Eastern Tianshan Mountains,of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,NW China hosts many Fe-(Cu)deposit.In this study,we present new zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemical data of the volcanic rocks of Shaquanzi Formation and diorite intrusions in the Yamansu belt.The Shaquanzi Formation comprises mainly basalt,andesite/andesitic tuff,rhyolite and sub-volcanic diabase with local diorite intrusions.The volcanic rocks and diorites contain ca.315-305 Ma and ca.298 Ma zircons respectively.These rocks show calc-alkaline affinity with enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements(LILEs),light rare-earth elements(LREEs),and depletion in high field strength elements(HFSEs)in primitive mantle normalized multi-element diagrams,which resemble typical back-arc basin rocks.They show depleted mantle signature with ε_(Nd)(t)ranging from+3.1 to +5.6 for basalt;+2.1 to+4.7 for andesite;-0.2 to+1.5 for rhyolite and the ε_(Hf)(t)ranges from-0.1 to +13.0 for andesites;+5.8 to +10.7 for andesitic tuffs.We suggest that the Shaquanzi Formation basalt might have originated from a depleted,metasomatized lithospheric mantle source mixed with minor(3-5%)subduction-derived materials,whereas the andesite and rhyolite could be fractional crystallization products of the basaltic magma.The Shaquanzi Formation volcanic rocks could have formed in an intracontinental back-arc basin setting,probably via the southward subduction of the Kangguer Ocean beneath the Middle Tianshan Massif.The Yamansu mineralization belt might have undergone a continental arc to back-arc basin transition during the Late Carboniferous and the intra-continental back-arc basin might have closed in the Early Permian,marked by the emplacement of dioritic magma in the Shaquanzi belt.
文摘It is dominantly characterized that arc and back\|arc basin occur mutually in arc\|basin systems, Jomda arc and Sinda back\|arc basin located in Qamdo area are typical(Fig.1). Jomda arc covered by Triassic with thickness about 10000m.Marine sediments predominate, and are Characterized by the largely thick turbidity rocks and arc volcanic rocks of calc\|alkali suite which frequent volcanic events raised. Sinda back\|arc basin with a land\|crust basement is filled by the Upper Triassic sedimentary strata of more than 5000m. The active marginal sediments are composed of terrigenous,basinal and volcanic turbidity deposits of bathyal to deep\|sea facies,Characteristic extensive alkali basalts and submarine spout hot water deposits. Based on investigation of the cutcrop pro\|file, isotime grillwork for Triassic sequence stratigraphy has been established. for example Jomda arc basin, including 6 type 1 and 4 type 2 boundaries.10 three\|order sequences are divided, including 6 type 1 and 4 type 2 sequences. These sequences evolves during 37Ma,the estimated average time of a sequences is 3～7Ma,with being generally 1～2Ma,the longest being about 10Ma. type 1 and type 2 sequence boundaries are identified, in Upper Triassic Sinda back\|arc basin two type 1 and one type 2 sequences are divided. Relations have been first concluded among mainly controlled factors of sequence stratigraphies in arc and back\|arc basin systems. First, more sequences product and three\|units of its structures are complete in arc systems of complicated tectonic\|volcanic topographies, for example Jomda arc area of island\|sea framework, because lots of deposits are supplied and accumulations are allowed. Secondly, tectonic control is very clear, type 1 boundaries of SQ1 and SQ7 are clearly unconformity interfaces stressed by tectonism.Thirdly,volcanic rocks is greatly related with sequences, and there are various volcanic rocks in mang sequences,for example Jomda sequence stratigraphies,volcanic rocks of calc alkaline suite occurs in LST which thickness occupying in LST is middle; both tholeiite and calc\|alkaline,alkaline suite (Sinda back\|arc area) in TST, thickness smallest; calc\|alkaline suite in HST, Thickness biggest. It proves that intra\|genetic association between volcanic and relative sea\|level changes, which is gained by the concordance of thick curves of volcanic rock and sea\|level in different systematic traces. When thickness of volcanic rocks growing or progressing, relative sea\|level falls; otherwise, when reducing, it rises. There are larger differences in quantities, structures and types of sequences by comparing sequence stratigraphies of arc, back\|arc with craton area. Those varieties are responses for interactions among tectonic\|volcano, sediment and eustacy. It is pointed out that tectonic and arc volcanic processes are crucial.
基金supported by the Dar es Salaam University College of Education(DUCE)Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst(DAAD)
文摘Uluguru forests are globally recognized as important biodiversity hotspots, but anthropogenic pressure threatens their value. This study examined species diver- sity, abundance, and structure of trees in the Uluguru for- ests. All trees of diameter at breast height （DBH） 〉 10 cm were inventoried in seven forests ranging from 3 to 995 ha in area. A total of 900 stems, 101 species and 34 families were inventoried. Fabaceae was the most speciose family. Ehretia amoena Klotzsch was the most abundant species with relative abundance of 9.22 %. The forests differed significantly in species richness （26-93 species ha-l）, tree density （85-390 stems ha-l）, basal area （3-24 m2 ha-1） and Shannon-Wiener diversity （2.50--4.02）. Forest area was significantly and positively correlated with species richness （r = 0.92） and species diversity （r = 0.95）. Tree density showed significant positive correlation with speciesrichness （r = 0.80） and basal area （r = 0.85）. Milawilila and Nemele forests had highest floristic similarity （0.55） followed by Kimboza and Kilengwe （0.54） while the rest had similarity coefficients of less than 0.50. Despite leg- islative protection, many forests remain at risk and there- fore the possibility to conserve highly valuable tree species via enhanced protection or cultivation must be considered.
