Mganga, NyatwereManoko, Mkabwa L.K.M.Rulangaranga, Zachariah K.R.2016-04-192016-04-192012-032228-6322http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1599Elevated heavy metals are toxic to many plants. There are many known edaphic factors affecting alteration of vegetation patterns. This study aimed to determine the relationship between bioavailable heavy metals and distribution patterns of plant species. Three parallel line transects of 3500 m long and 100 m apart were established opposite the mine wastes. Sampling was done at every 100 m up to 700 m and from the last 500 m. Numbers of plant species were systematically recorded using nested quadrats per transect and soil samples were collected at each point. The soil samples were analyzed for evidence of bioavailable heavy metals (copper, lead, chromium, zinc, cadmium and nickel) using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed that levels of lead, chromium, cadmium and nickel negatively influenced distribution patterns of the plants. However, the Monte Carlo Permutation test showed that the measured metals did not have a significant influence on distribution patterns of the plants. It is likely that distribution patterns of the plants were also influenced by some other factors that were not currently investigated in this research. In terms of conservation as the main priority, waiting for evidence of the influence of heavy metals to have an obvious and significant effect on plant patterns may mean that an ecosystem has already undergone serious damage.enbioavailable heavy metals, distribution patterns, gold mine, plant species, soilJournal Article