Fuzzy Set Ordination and Classification of Serengeti Short Grasslands, Tanzania
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Date
1990
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Abstract
Species abundance data from 32 representative
stands are used to evaluate the vegetation in the heavily
grazed Serengeti short grasslands. The abundant species
are: Kyllinga nervosa, Sporobolus ioclados, S. kentrophyllus
and Eustachys paspaloides, all occurring in elevated
areas, and Hypoestes forskalei, which is found in
the drainage areas.
Numerical classification and fuzzy set ordination
revealed four main grassland communities associated
with a topographic gradient. The communities are considered
distinct since their niches, as computed in the
community and environmental fuzzy system space are
not overlapping. Leaching, erosion and animal disturbance
effects correlated with the topographic gradient are
found to determine species composition and overall
community structure in the grasslands.
Description
Keywords
Disturbance, Grassland community, Grazing, Topographic gradient
Citation
Banyikwa, F.F., Feoli, E. and Zuccarello, V., 1990. Fuzzy set ordination and classification of Serengeti short grasslands, Tanzania. Journal of Vegetation Science, 1(1), pp.97-104.