ABC_Nyika National Park-Nganda_sampling eventdata

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

1. 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.

All vascular plants have been identified up to kingdom level or family level.

1. Plantae
   rank: kingdom

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.