Title data
Hemp, Andreas ; Zimmermann, Reiner ; Remmele, Sabine ; Pommer, Ulf ; Berauer, Bernd ; Hemp, Claudia ; Fischer, Markus:
Africa's highest mountain harbours Africa's tallest trees.
In: Biodiversity and Conservation.
Vol. 26
(2017)
Issue 1
.
- pp. 103-113.
ISSN 1572-9710
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-016-1226-3
Abstract in another language
While world records of tree heights were set by American, Australian and Asian tree species, Africa seemed to play no role here. In our study we show that Entandrophragma excelsum (Meliaceae) found in a remote valley at Kilimanjaro has to be included in the list of the world’s superlative trees. Estimating tree age from growth rates monitored by high resolution dendrometry indicates that tall individuals may reach more than 470 years of age. A unique combination of anatomical peculiarities and favorable site conditions might explain their enormous size. The late date of this discovery of Africa’s tallest trees may be due to the comparably low study efforts at Kilimanjaro compared with other biodiversity hotspots. Since only a few square kilometers of this habitat of Entandrophragma are left, Kilimanjaro (and Africa) is about to lose not only a unique biogeographical archive with highly diverse vegetation, but also its tallest trees. The inclusion of these valleys into the immediately neighboring Kilimanjaro National Park would be an excellent and urgent possibility of protection.
Further data
Item Type: | Article in a journal |
---|---|
Refereed: | Yes |
Institutions of the University: | Research Institutions Research Institutions > Research Centres Research Institutions > Research Centres > Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research- BayCEER Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences > Professor Disturbance Ecology Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Biology > Chair Animal Ecology II - Evolutionary Animal Ecology Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Biology Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences |
Result of work at the UBT: | Yes |
DDC Subjects: | 500 Science |
Date Deposited: | 20 Jan 2020 14:16 |
Last Modified: | 20 Jan 2020 14:16 |
URI: | https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/53996 |