A floristic classification of the vegetation of a forest-savanna boundary in southeastern Zimbabwe

The vegetation of Chirinda Forest boundary was classified into eight types using Two-way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) and Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). The moist forest comprises three types: Strychnos mellodora-Chrysophyllum gorungosanum Forest on deep dolerite soils; Chrysopllyllum gorungosanum-Myrianthus holstii Forest on shallow dolerite soils; and Teclea nobilis-Ehretia cymosa Forest on drier, but deep dolerite soils. The non-forest vegetation comprises five types: Themeda triandra Grassland on shallow dolerite soils; Psidium guajava Bushland on sandstone; Bridelia micrantha-Harunguna madagascariensis Mixed Woodland not restricted to any one particular soil type; Acacia karroo-Heteropyxis dehniae Woodland on shallow soils derived from sandstone but sometimes on dolerite; and Julbernardia globiflora-Brachystegia spiciformis (Miombo) Woodland on sandstone.