Miombo woodland is dominated by the tree genera Brachystegia and Julbernardia. The woodland is situated on red, leached soil that is the vast of the old pediplain before the break-up of Godwana. Because of the increased human influences during the last 30 years, the woodland has been heavily exposed for harvesting. Miombo woodland are slow growing and have many values. The woodland are especially interesting from a geomorphologic point of vies as well as the significant ecosystem. The identification of the old pediplain also means an identification of the potential miombo areas. The border was measured in field with a GPS and was later on analysed on a computer. The border was also compared with satellite images from 1975, 1981 and 1999.
The satellite images show miombo woodland rather well and can be used as a tool in the environment control. The satellite images indicated that the border was to be found at the bottom of the valleys. However, it turned out that the border was found higher up in the landscape than expected, but followed the drainage system rather well.
The miombo woodland had during the years been affected by an increased human activity. The satellite image from 1975 showed that the border was mostly covered by grassland. The satellite images from 1981 the increased population. The distance from the border to the miombo woodland has increased. Comparing these images with the satellite image from 1999 can see an increased deforestation. During the 80's and 90's the hilly areas have been heavily used, not only around the Kilosa and Mikumi town.
Statistics made on the spectral bands in the different satellite images as well as the FCC picture show a general trend. Vegetation in the valleys can easily be taken for miombo woodland, especially if the observer does not have much knowledge about the miombo woodland.
Analysis of the different pixel values show that woodland without miombo species has higher values on the pixels than the miombo woodland. The third spectral band had the largest difference and the fourth the slightest difference. The pixel values in the miombo woodland were however more spread out, but were better fit to the normal distribution. The statistics can be a useful tool for environmental control of the miombo woodland, especially if it is used together with remote sensing analysis.
2003. , s. 24