The Vegetation of Burma from an Ecological Standpoint

Abstract

THIS is one of the first presentations of a study of the vegetation of a British tropical dependency, based on present-day ecological methods. The author, in collaboration with Mr. Leslie Lord, has already given a more detailed study entitled “Part of the Riverine Tract of Burma.” The present work shows this area in relation to the rest of the country and provides a general review of the distribution of the vegetation and its controlling factors. Of these, the chief are elevation, climate, and geology and soil. A brief discussion is given of the effect of each of these, after which the author enumerates, with brief descriptions, the main types of vegetation and their natural relation ships. These types are classed under mountain vegetation with six types and lowland vegetation with twenty-five types. Four serai medial stages are also noted. The inter-relationships of the types are graphically indicated in tabular form, where it is clearly seen that with a very high rainfall soil has little effect, but with a rainfall of 40 inches and less its influence is paramount. The discussion on geology and soils is in more detail, and the general relationship of geology and ecology is discussed and summarised in the concluding chapter. The book is accompanied by several maps reproduced as text figures, and is profusely illustrated with photographs of the various types of vegetation discussed.