Vegetation structure of four small forest fragments in Taita Hills, Kenya

Abstract

The structure of four small forest fragments, Kichuchenyi, Macha, Ndiwenyi and Yale, all situated in the Dabida massif of the Taita Hills, was analyzed. The study was based on sample plots of 400 m2 each. Basal area, stratification and disturbance data are presented. All fragments are heavily disturbed. Ndiwenyi and Kichuchenyi forests are structurally very similar. However, the main characteristic of the former is its remarkably large diameter trees in comparison to all the other fragments. Yale is the least disturbed of the four forests and has the highest number of species typical of the primary forest.

Journal of East African Natural History Vol. 94(1) 2005: 231–234