Savannization/Processes in Tropical Africa (Tageleqp/Sapita 89-90)

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A two-year multidisciplinary research carried out in several selected areas of both northern savannas (Cameroon) and of southern savannas (Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi) of tropical Africa has led to following results :1) East Cameroon : A survey of structure and composition, and soil profiles of gallery forests produced valid data for constructing a savannization model.2) West Cameroon Highlands : Pollen analysis and radiometric datings of collected soil samples can be expected to contribute to the chronological make up of the environmental history in the last ca. 3,000 years and the origin and age of the "Grassfields" landscape.3) West Cameroon Highlands : A detailed geoecological survey of a cattle-grazed grassy slope has led to a formulation of present-day land and vegetation degradation processes.4) Sudano-Sahelian savanna zone of Northern Cameroon : Increased human impact has accelerated degradation in the last 15 years, under persistent drought conditions.5) West Zambia : Some basic data for reconstructing the history of miombo woodland over the Kalahari Sands during the last two to three millenia were obtained.6) South Zambia : The difference in the land management different farming systems can be used as a valid key for the interpretation of savannization processes.7) Nyika Plateau : Widespread grasslands have been created by human activities, and their ages, creating and maintaining processes can be reconstructed by gathered data.8) Malawi Highlands : Nature of land management has played an important role in savannization processes.9) Central Zimbabwe : Increased human inpact in the last 30 years has resulted in accelerated degradation. In contrast, no severe degradation can be observed in the areas covered with the Kalahari Sands, because of unsuitablity for agriculture.10) Throughout the areas investigated : The usefulness of soil stratigraphy for the reconstruction and interregional correlation of savannization history was reconfirmed.