Degradation of a forest in the Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya, as initiated by man and maintained by wildlife

Abstract

The Lagynias pallidiflora community and it seral stages of natural gap dynamics were described as the zonal vegetation type which was little influenced in the past. The Leptonychia usambarensis community and its seral stages were considered to be a consequence of logging activities. Phytosociological analysis indicated the general possibility of a regeneration of the disturbed sites, ie a transition from the Lep. usambarensis to the Lag. pallidiflora community. However, at present, the strain on the vegetation caused by a large population of elephants Loxodonta africana impedes succession in the open forest sites. The Lep. usambarensis community is thus considered to be at a proclimax stage. -from Author