Tree-Ring Formation of Zambia’s Wet Tropical Miombo Woodlands- Exploratory Research Through African Dendrochronology Fieldschools
- 1Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology , School of Natural Resources, The Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692. Kitwe. Zambia (justinangoma@yahoo.com)
- *A full list of authors appears at the end of the abstract
Tropical forests have been least studied for dendrochronology following the general perception that tropical trees do not form growth rings, exacerbated by the limited number of scientists focusing on tropical trees. This has created a gap in global dendrochronological studies. Through the two successful Africa Dendrochronological Fieldschools that were conducted in 2021 and 2022 in Zambia, we identified 32 tree species in 3,200m2 area of plots from the wet Miombo woodlands. 72% of these species demonstrated good potential for annual ring formation. Julbernardia and Brachystegia species where the oldest and dominant tree species. We developed chronologies from Julbernardia paniculata (140 years), Brachystegia longifolia (series Intercorrelation = 0.42, oldest tree = 160 years), and Brachystegia boehmii (series Intercorrelation = 0.49, oldest tree = 140 years). We also developed a strong multi-species chronology with thirteen wet Miombo woodland species (series Intercorrelation = 0.41, chronology length = 143 years). We found the average monthly precipitation of September to May and the maximum temperature of March to be the main climate variables driving tree growth. Through the two field schools, we trained 48 people from 10 countries (Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, DRC, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, USA, and Zambia) of four continents (Africa, Europe, North America, and South America).
1. James H. Speer. Indiana State University, Department of Earth and Environmental Systems, USA. (jim.speer@indstate.edu) 2. Stockton Maxwell. Radford University, Department of Geospatial Science, USA. (stockton.maxwell@gmail.com) 3. Paul Krusic. University of Cambridge, Department of Geography, UK (pk466@cam.ac.uk) 4. Mathew Bekker. Brigham young University, Department of Geography, USA. (matthew_bekker@byu.edu) 5. Felix Kanungwe Kalaba. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (kanungwe@gmail.com) 6. Steven Syampungani. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (ssyampungani@yahoo.com) 7. Francis Munalula. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (shichipo@gmail.com) 8. Kennedy Sichamba. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (kennedysichamba@gmail.com) 9. Philimon Ng’andwe. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia. (pngandwe2015@gmail.com) 10. Nicole Zampieri. Florida State University, Department of Department, USA. (nz13@my.fsu.edu) 11. Alice Chilambwe. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (chilambwealice@gmail.com) 12. Annie Kalwa. National Science and Technology Council, P.O. Box 51309, Lusaka, Zambia. (akmazumba@nstc.org.zm) 13. Basile Luse. Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium (lusebasile@gmail.com) 14. Felix Laurent. Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium (felix.laurent@africamuseum.be) 15. Chadrack Kafuti. Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium (chadrack.kafuti@ugent.be) 16. Charles Mulenga. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia. (charlesmulenga20@yahoo.com) 17. Chabu Sumba. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (chabusumba@gmail.com) 18. Chishala Chitembo. Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation Plc (ZAFFICO). P. O. Box 71566, Dola Hill, Ndola, Zambia.(chishalachitembo@gmail.com) 19. Christopher Chirwa. Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation Plc (ZAFFICO). P. O. Box 71566, Dola Hill, Ndola, Zambia.(chrstphrchirwa@gmail.com) 20. Christopher Mulwanda. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Zoology and Aquatic Sciences, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (mulwandachristopher0@gmail.com) 21. Claired S. Kipuputwa. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (clairedks@gmail.com) 22. Clara Tiyembekeze Zulu. Zambia Forestry Department, Division of Forestry Research, Zambia. (clarazulut@gmail.com) 23. Claudia Cozadd. Indiana State University, Department of Earth and Environmental Systems, USA. (ccozadd@sycamores.indstate.edu) 24. Collins Chibuye. Indiana State University, Department of Earth and Environmental Systems, USA (chibuyecollins@gmail.com) 25. Daigard Ricardo Ortega Rodriguez. University of São Paulo, Rua Fernando Febeliano da Costa 2582, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brasil (dai.ricardo.or@gmail.com) 26. Dinah Mwanza. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia(mwanzadinah@gmail.com) 27. Djiofack Brice. Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium (briceyannick.djiofack@ugent.be) 28. Edwin Tembo, Zambia Forestry College (ZFC). Mwekera, Kitwe, Zambia. (edwintembo1974@gmail.com) 29. Felix Musonda. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Zoology and Aquatic Sciences, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (felixmusonda64@gmail.com) 30. Ferdinand Handavu. Mukuba University. Off Chingola Dual Carriage Way, Itimpi, P.O. Box 20382, Kitwe. Zambia (fhandavu@yahoo.com) 31. Gilbert Mushota. Zambia Forestry Department, Division of Forestry Research, Zambia (gilbertmushota@yahoo.com) 32. Godfrey Sichinga. Zambia Forestry Department, Division of Forestry Research, Zambia (sichingagodfrey@yahoo.com) 33. Golden Mumba. Mopani Copper Mines PLC, Kitwe, Zambia (Golden.Mumba@mopani.com.zm) 34. Grace Mwenya. Mukuba University. Off Chingola Dual Carriage Way, Itimpi, P.O. Box 20382, Kitwe. Zambia(gracemutali@gmail.com) 35. James Malama. Zambia Forestry Department, Division of Forestry Research, Zambia. (jamesmalama1988@gmail.com) 36. John Owusu-Ansah Junior. Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kamusi, Ghana (spiritusjunior@aol.com) 37. Julie Blanjean. KU Leuven University, Belgium (julie.blanjean@student.kuleuven.be) 38. Kafita Kambikambi. The Copperbelt University, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (simukokokafita@gmail.com) 39. Kofi Agyarko Ababio. Kumasi Technical University, Department of Statistical Sciences, P. O. Box 854, Kumasi - Ashanti Region, Ghana(kofi.aababio@kstu.edu.gh) 40. Lenganji Sikapizye. National Science and Technology Council, P.O. Box 51309, Lusaka, Zambia. (lsikapizye@nstc.org.zm) 41. Lizzy Banda. Mukuba University. Off Chingola Dual Carriage Way, Itimpi, P.O. Box 20382, Kitwe. Zambia (lizzybanda2000@gmail.com) 42. Manuel Bernal-Escobar. University of Miami, Colombia (manuel.bernal.escobar@gmail.com) 43. Marthie Kemp. University of the Free State, Centre for Environmental Management, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa(kempm@ufs.ac.za) 44. Musunke Kanyembo. Zambia Forestry College (ZFC). Mwekera, Kitwe, Zambia (sunke.kanyembo@gmail.com) 45. Nestor Kashikija Luambua. Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium (nestorluambua7@gmail.com) 46. Nsama Mataka. National Science and Technology Council, P.O. Box 51309, Lusaka, Zambia (nmataka@nstc.org.zm) 47. Phanuel Hakwendenda. Mukuba University. Off Chingola Dual Carriage Way, Itimpi, P.O. Box 20382, Kitwe. Zambia (funnyhpc1968@gmail.com) 48. Rosemary. N Shikangalah. University of Namibia. Department of Environmental Science, School of Science, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia. (rshikangalah@unam.na) 49. Tom Kamanga. The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (tomkamanga@yahoo.com) 50. Nelly Chunda-Mwango. The Copperbelt University, School of Built Environment, Department of Real Estate Studies, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia. (nchunda@gmail.com) 51. Vanessa Chanda. Mufumbwe district, Bomba area, Staff House No: 1.Zambia (nessachandacmv@gmail.com) 52. Willard Sayowa. Likota Wood Tech Cooperative. Kitwe, Zambia (llardrace16@gmail.com)
How to cite: Ngoma, J. and the Justine Ngoma: Tree-Ring Formation of Zambia’s Wet Tropical Miombo Woodlands- Exploratory Research Through African Dendrochronology Fieldschools, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 24–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-3917, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-3917, 2023.
