ABC_Nyika National Park-Nganda_sampling eventdata
Citation
Mpalika D (2022). ABC_Nyika National Park-Nganda_sampling eventdata. Version 1.3. National Herbarium & Botanic Gardens of Malawi. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/vibv3i accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-08-24.Description
The Nyika Biodiversity Project is a NORAD funded project, which aims at enhancing the capacity of Malawi as SADC member state to conserve its biological resources in order to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The goal of the Project is to develop a concept for conservation, sustainable management and utilization of the biological diversity of the Nyika National Park. The field trip to Nyika National Park-Nganda Peak was carried out from 25th October to 5th November 2005. The main objective of the field trip was to collect plant species data found in Nyika National Park in order to assist in digitization of the vegetation of Nyika National Park.Sampling Description
Study Extent
The Nganda Peak is the highest point on Nyika National Park at an altitude of 2,605 m (8,547 ft). Nyika Plateau lies in northern Malawi, with a small portion in north eastern Zambia. Most of it lies at elevations of between 2,100 and 2,200 m (6,900 and 7,200 ft). It is roughly a diamond in shape, with a long north–south axis of about 90 km (56 mi), and an east–west axis of about 50 km (31 mi). It towers above Lake Malawi (elevation 475 m (1,600 ft)), and the towns of Livingstonia and Chilumba. The survey was conducted from South South West direction of Nganda at an elevation of 2394m, latitude 10º26’42”S and Longitude 33º51’09”E. crossing the road towards the direction of Chosi Hill.Sampling
2 strings (50m and 25m), a campus, GPS, measuring rod, D.B.H. meter Panga knife and a digital camera were used during the survey. A 25 m string and a 50 m string were used for measuring the size of each quadrant and interval of 100m between quadrants respectively. A campus was used for positioning the right direction of the transect, measuring rod was used for measuring the tree height, D.B.H. meter used to measure tree diameter, Panga knife was used to clear the way in thick forest and the digital camera was used to take photographs of the vegetation. A line transects was made from South South West direction of Nganda at an elevation of 2394m, latitude 10º26’42”S and Longitude 33º51’09”E. crossing the road towards the direction of Chosi Hill. Quadrants made were each measured 25m by 25m at an interval of 100m between quadrants. Georeference and elevation readings were taken from the centre of each quadrant in order to get fair or mean readings.Method steps
- A line transects was made from South South West direction of Nganda at an elevation of 2394m, latitude 10º26’42”S and Longitude 33º51’09”E. crossing the road towards the direction of Chosi Hill. Quadrants made were each measured 25m by 25m at an interval of 100 meters between quadrants. Georeference and elevation readings were taken from the center of each quadrant in order to get fair or mean readings. The data was recorded on printed sheets and was captured electronically using Microsoft office excel program, data was analysed using excel tools to determine coverage percentages, species population and also other data control measures. The recorded georeferenced data was in degree minutes and seconds, and was converted into decimal degrees using LatLong.net convertor tool.
Taxonomic Coverages
All vascular plants have been identified up to kingdom level or family level.
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Plantaerank: kingdom
Geographic Coverages
Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa. It is wholly within the tropics; from about 9°30S at its northernmost point to about 17°S at the southernmost tip.
Nganda in Nyika National Park is located to the South South West direction at an elevation of 2394m, latitude 10º26’42”S and Longitude 33º51’09”E.
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Donald Mpalikaoriginator
position: Data Manager
National Herbarium & Botanic Gardens of Malawi
P.O. Box 528
Zomba
South
MW
Telephone: +265888329900
email: dmpalika@yahoo.co.uk
Donald Mpalika
metadata author
position: Data Manager
National Herbarium & Botanic Gardens of Malawi
P.O. Box 528
Zomba
South
MW
Telephone: +265888329900
email: dmpalika@yahoo.co.uk
Donald Mpalika
metadata author
position: Data Manager
National Herbarium & Botanic Gardens of Malawi
P.O. Box 528
Zomba
South
MW
Telephone: +265888329900
email: dmpalika@yahoo.co.uk
Elizabeth Mwafongo
point of contact
position: Senior Scientific Officer
National Herbarium & Botanic Gardens of Malawi
P.O. Box 528
Zomba
South
MW
Telephone: +265999746432
email: emwafongo@yahoo.com
Donald Mpalika
administrative point of contact
position: Data Manager
National Herbarium & Botanic Gardens of Malawi
P.O. Box 528
Zomba
South
MW
Telephone: +265888329900
email: dmpalika@yahoo.co.uk