Tree Conservation Information Service
| Baikiaea plurijuga
Leguminosae Zambezi Teak; Zambezi Redwood Distribution This species occurs in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Habitat This species is confined to lowland tropical forest on the Kalahari sands. Baikiaea plurijuga is the dominant component of the Baikiaea forest canopy (White, 1983). Baikiaea forest is the most extensive deciduous forest on the Kalahari Sand in the south of the Upper Zambezi basin and B. plurijuga is essentially limited to this area (White, 1983). In Zimbabwe, B. plurijuga is found in higher areas of thicket on Kalahari sands of the Lupane and Nkayi districts and in higher areas of woodland thicket on colluvium in the Binga district (Timberlake et al, 1991). Population Status and Trends Precise limits of individual populations of the species are not known but B. pluijuga is the dominant species in the Zambesi teak forests the area of which has been measured. In the early 1980s, Zambesi teak forests were reported to cover an area of 700,000 ha (Mubiti, 1984 in draft CITES proposal, 1986). More recent surveys have shown that 800,000 ha exist in forest commissioned land in Zimbabwe (African Regional Workshop, 1996). In Zambia this forest type formerly covered almost all of the Western Province, the North-Western Province and the western area of the Southern Province (CITES draft proposal, 1986). The increased logging activities of the last fifty years have led to changes in the ecology of the forest; gaps in the canopy allow for thicket species to develop (this is especially a problem in Zambia). It is thought that these changes might inhibit the re-establishment of the Zambezi teak forests (CITES draft proposal, 1986). These forests are expected to disappear within 50 years and to be irretrievably diminshed much sooner (WCMC, 1991). Populations of older individuals (about 500 years old) have now completely disappeared (African Regional Workshop, 1996). Although the Zambesi teak forests are threatened, the range of B. plurijuga has only been fractionally reduced (African Regional Workshop, 1996). Grassland quickly replaces the Zambesi teak forests once they have been cleared, making grassland a more common habitat for B. plurijuga (African Regional Workshop, 1996). Populations in fallow fields and national parks are regenerating well (African Regional Workshop, 1996). There are thought to be intact populations in forests in Botswana and Zambia, where levels of exploitation are less well known (African Regional Workshop, 1996). Regeneration This species coppices well (African Regional Workshop, 1996). Role of Species in its Ecosystem B. plurijuga is associated with Entandrophragma caudatum, Pterocarpus antunesii and Combretum collinum (Huckabay, 1986). Threats This species is exploited for its timber. The Zambesi teak forest as a habitat type is undeniably threatened, however, the Baikiaea thickets that grow on grassland are still fairly widespread and timber from these thickets can be utilised (African Regional Workshop, 1996). Utilisation The timber is mainly used in flooring. Locally the species is used for medicinal purposes and for tanning. B. plurijuga is not locally exploited for its wood because it is too hard to cut. Trade Sales values in Zambia over recent years have been around US$1 million annually, 80% in the domestic market and 20% from exports. It is one of the two major commercial timber species of Botswana (WCMC, 1991). Conservation Status IUCN Threat Category and Criteria: LR:lc (African Regional Workshop, 1996) Conservation Measures This species is considered to be a priority for in situ conservation by FAO, 1984. In situ conservation stands have been established in Zambia. The Forest Reserves in Botswana contain B. plurijuga (African Regional Workshop, 1996). This species is not suitable for a plantation programme because of its slow growth and fire sensitivity (African Regional Workshop, 1996). References African Regional Workshop, 1996. Conservation and Sustainable Management of Trees project workshop held in Harare, Zimbabawe, July, 1996. Draft CITES Proposal, 1986. Draft proposal to include Baikiaea plurijuga on Appendix II of CITES. Huckabay, 1986. cited in the Draft CITES Proposal. (NOT SEEN) Piearce, 1986. cited in the Draft CITES Proposal. (NOT SEEN) Timberlake, J., Nobanda, N., Mapaure, I, and Mhlanga, L., 1991. Sites of interest for conservation in various communal lands of N. & W. Zimbabwe. Vegetation survey of communal lands. Report No.1. WCMC, 1991. Provision of Data on Rare and Threatened Tropical Timber Species. pp. 58. White F., 1983. The Vegetation of Africa. A descriptive memoir to accompany the Unesco/AETFAT/UNSO vegetation map of Africa. Paris:Unesco. pp.356. |
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