Continuum or zonation? Altitudinal gradients in the forest vegetation of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Based on the analysis of 600 vegetation plots using the method of Braun-Blanquet (1964) the composition of the whole vascular forest plant flora with about 1220 species was studied in the forests of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The altitudinal distribution of all strata (trees, shrubs, epiphytes, lianas and herbs) along a transect of 2400 m is discussed with respect to altitudinal zonation and ecological factors. With uni-dimensionally constraint clustering...