Vegetation Map of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

Summary

This paper provides a detailed account of the background, methodology, classification system, and legend of the Vegetation Map of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The map, serving as Federal Atlas Map No. 10, was produced to adopt, as closely as possible, the vegetation classification system recommended by the C.S.A. (Scientific Council for Africa South of the Sahara) Specialist Meeting held at Yangambi in 1956. It also drew upon Keay's Vegetation Map of Africa and Rattray's Map of the Grass Cover of Africa. The map's outlines were largely compiled from published maps by Henkel (1931) for Southern Rhodesia and Trapnell, Martin, and Allen (1950) for Northern Rhodesia, along with unpublished maps by Willan and Jackson for Nyasaland, with revisions and field sketches contributed by several experts. The classification employs a combination of colors and hatching patterns to represent vegetation types ranging from moist montane forests to dry mopane savannas. The paper describes the dominant species, ecological characteristics, and distribution of each category, including high-altitude grasslands dominated by Themeda, Loudetia, and Exotheca, and lowland savannas featuring Colophospermum mopane and various Acacia species. It also discusses challenges in applying the Yangambi system, particularly in distinguishing between savanna and steppe, noting that in regions like Bechuanaland, the boundary is highly subjective due to annual variations in grass development and game activity. The paper concludes with a comprehensive legend listing 26 vegetation categories with their corresponding colors and symbols, along with references and publication details.