Age determination of Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne from northern Kenya

• Published in: African journal of ecology Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 266 - 277
• Main Authors: MARTIN, DAVID, MOSS, JONATHAN
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.09.1997
• Subjects: Acacia tortilis; age; dendrochronology; Kenya; size; Kenya
• ISSN: 0141-6707; 1365-2028
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2028.1997.067-89067.x

Age determination on the basis of ring count holds great potential for the study of dry woodland ecosystem dynamics. Discs from stems of Acacia tortilis from Marsabit District, northern Kenya, were collected for dendrochronological analysis. Problems in the identification of growth rings are summarized. Regression analysis is used to develop age-ring count and ring count-size relationships. The time seedlings spend in a browse-suppressed state is also estimated. It is concluded that there is insufficient evidence for the development of statistically valid age-size relationships. Problems that current techniques have yet to overcome are identified. Future studies are recommended using cambial injury techniques, particular emphasis being placed on the potential effects of browsing on cambial activity.