Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland: Federal Atlas Map

Vegetation Map of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

Rattray, J. M.; Wild, H. · 1961

This paper presents the rationale and methodology behind the compilation of the "Vegetation Map of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland," produced as Federal Atlas Map No. 10. The primary objective was to create a comprehensive vegetation map for the federal atlas, despite existing gaps in detailed botanical knowledge. A key methodological decision was to adopt the vegetation classification system recommended by the 1956 Yangambi meeting of the Scientific Council for Africa South of the Sahara (C.S.A.), aligning with continental standardization efforts. The map is a compilation based on existing published maps for Southern and Northern Rhodesia, unpublished materials for Nyasaland, and field sketch maps from various regional experts. The classification is visually represented through a combination of colors, indicating a moisture gradient from montane to dry areas, and a system of hatching to denote physiognomic types such as forest, woodland, thicket, and savanna. The paper details the mapped vegetation categories, describing their characteristic species, geographic distribution, and ecological dynamics across the Federation. Key formations include various grasslands, moist and dry forests, deciduous woodlands dominated by genera like *Brachystegia* and *Colophospermum mopane*, and extensive savannas. The authors discuss challenges encountered in applying the Yangambi classification, particularly the ambiguous boundary between savanna and steppe in the region, concluding that true steppe does not occur in the Federation and that mapped formations like *Acacia* savanna are better classified under a broad savanna physiognomic unit.