Biotic interactions, climate and disturbance underlie the distribution of twoJulbernardiatree species in miombo woodlands of Africa

Abstract

Abstract:Occurrence data forJulbernardia globifloraandJ. paniculataat 617 sites in the miombo woodland region of central, eastern and southern Africa and forest inventory data for 512 woodland plots in Zambia were used to determine species distribution and dominance. Distribution of the twoJulbernardiaspecies overlaps in the central region of the miombo woodland range while the eastern and western range regions are exclusively for only one of the two species. In the region of co-occurrence, there is a clear spatial separation in the dominance of the two species. In old-growth woodland a significant proportion of the variation in the dominance ofJ.globiflorawas explained by the dominance ofJ.paniculatawhile mean annual maximum temperature and tree species richness negatively affect the dominance ofJ.paniculata. Old-growth woodland clearing changes the local climatic conditions and alters the wayJulbernardiaspecies in re-growth stands respond to potential evapo-transpiration (PET). Climate change, especially global warming, may further reinforce the impacts of PET to differentially favourJ.globiflora. Because of this altered response ofJulbernardiaspecies in re-growth miombo, preserving old-growth miombo and preventing present human disturbances in designated areas, such as forest reserves and national parks, may be a useful climate adaptation strategy for these species.