EGU25-16432, updated on 15 Mar 2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-16432
EGU General Assembly 2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Poster | Friday, 02 May, 14:00–15:45 (CEST), Display time Friday, 02 May, 08:30–18:00
 
vPoster spot 2, vP2.13
A comparative study of the dendroclimatic potential of selected tree species of the tropical dry and wet woodlands of Zambia
Justine Ngoma1 and the Justine Ngoma*
Justine Ngoma and the Justine Ngoma
  • 1The Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, P.O. Box. 21692, Kitwe, Zambia (justinangoma@yahoo.com)
  • *A full list of authors appears at the end of the abstract

Environmental challenges have had a negative impact on African forest resources, which has subsequently adversely affected some ecosystem services that are required for the survival of people. We conducted a comparative study in the wet and dry woodlands in Zambia to establish the formation of tree growth rings and determine the relationship between the growth ring width and rainfall. Through the four successful Africa Dendrochronological Fieldschools that were conducted from 2021 to 2024, we collected samples from the wet miombo woodlands on the copperbelt province and the dry miombo and Baikiaea woodlands on the southern province of Zambia. From 2021 to 2023, we recorded 49 tree species from the wet miombo woodlands and found that the Fabaceae family plants had the highest species richness with 28.5%. We determined a series intercorrelation of 0.45 and average mean sensitivity of 0.465 from a master chronology of 14 tree species. The dendroclimatic study found a significant positive relationship (r-value =0.589, p-value = 0.0005) between ring width of a mixed species chronology of Brchaystegia longifolia and Julbernadia paniculata, and precipitation totals for Zambia’s wet season (October–April). In 2024, studies were conducted in the dry miombo and Baikiaea woodlands. Through this study, 16 distinct species were identified in the Baikiaea woodlands with Baikiaea plurijuga being the abundant species. We determined series intercorrelation of 0.31 and an average mean sensitivity of 0.50 from a mixed tree species from the Baikiaea woodlands. A precipitation correlation with Brachytegia longifolia from the miombo woodlands found that previous December and Current March precipitation have positive influence on tree growth. In both, dry and wet woodlands, we found that trees produce annual growth rings that are responsive to seasonal climate, and are useful for dendrochronology

Justine Ngoma:

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 Stockholm, Department of Geography, Sweden (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, Tall Timbers, USA. (nzampieri@talltimbers.org) 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) 53. David Nkulu Mwenze. Faculty of agronomic and environmental sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (dnkulu3@gmail.com) 54. Azza Moustafa Abd Elkader. Alexandria Center for Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage. Egypt (azzamoustafa543@gmail.com) 55. Clotilde Nhancale Fátima. Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique. Mozambique (clonhancale92@gmail.com) 56. Paulinus Sindumba Ndumba. University of Namibia (pnsindumba@gmail.com) 57. Asibey Osei. Kumasi Technical University (oseiasibey2013@gmail.com) 58. Maina Eunice. Kenya Forest Service (eunicemna@gmail.com) 59. Noé Hofiço dos Santos Ananias. Zambezi University. Mozambique (noe.hofico@gmail.com) 60. Clara Zulu Tiyembekeze. Forestry Department. Ministry of Green Economy and Environment. Zambia (clarazulut@gmail.com) 61. Chitembo Chishala. Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) PLC. Zambia (chishalachitembo@gm)ail.com) 62. Christopher Chirwa. Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) PLC. Zambia (chrstphrchirwa@gmail.com) 63. Vincent Nyirongo. Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) PLC. Zambia (nyirongov3@gmail.com) 64. Moses Chali. Kansanshi Copper Mine PLC (moses.chali2@fqml.com) 65. Emmah Khutapa Mwapwa. Forestry Department. Ministry of Green Economy and Environment. Zambia (khutapa@gmail.com) 66. Mudisha Kamboyi. Trident Foundation (kamboyimudisha@gmail.com) 67. Felix Musekela. Forestry Department. Ministry of Green Economy and Environment. Zambia (musunga2013@yahoo.com) 68. Jonathan Kaira. Forestry Department. Ministry of Green Economy and Environment. Zambia (kairajonathan@gmail.com) 69. Mokwani Kaluwe. Forestry Department. Ministry of Green Economy and Environment. Zambia (mokwani.kaluwem@gmail.com) 70. Jared Pech Gonzalez. Brigham Young University, USA (jaredperech8@gmail.com) 71. Kyle Bird. Brigham Young University, USA (bird.kylej@gmail.com) 72. Alexander Stewart. St. Lawrence University, USA (astewart@stlawu.edu) 73. Mmusi Mmusi. University of Botswana. Botswana (mmmusi@ub.ac.bw) 74. Boaz Kafuti. University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (kafutiboaz8@gmail.com) 75. Erin Wachter. Tall timbers, USA (ewachter@talltimbers.org) 76. Alassane Diouf. Cheikh Anta Diop university. Senegal (alassane16.diouf@ucad.edu.sn) 77. Abena Kyerewaa Morrison. University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana (morrisonabenakyerewaa@gmail.com) 78. Samuel Tahinduka. Makerere University, Uganda (stahinduka1738@gmail.com) 79. Samuel Mwanangombe Lawreen. First Quantum Minerals LTD (FQM Trident). Zambia (samuelmwanangombe23@gmail.com) 80. Curthbert Makondo. The Copperbelt University, Zambia (simplycuthbert@live.co.uk) 81. Colllins Maluben. Indiana state University, USA (cmalubeni@sycamores.indstate.edu) 82. Andrew Kamwi. Forestry Department. Ministry of Green Economy and Environment. Zambia (muyangwaak@gmail.com)

How to cite: Ngoma, J. and the Justine Ngoma: A comparative study of the dendroclimatic potential of selected tree species of the tropical dry and wet woodlands of Zambia, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-16432, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-16432, 2025.