Synthesizing knowledge about tree diversity, density, and distribution in the savanna woodlands of Sudan

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

• Ahmed M.M. Hasoba, Faculty of Forestry, University of Sopron, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut. Sopron, HungaryFollow
• Ahmed A.H. Siddig, Faculty of Forestry, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Postal Code Sudan
• Kornel Czimber, Faculty of Forestry, University of Sopron, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut. Sopron, Hungary
• Ali Omer, Faculty of Forestry, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Postal Code Sudan
• Nasradeen A.H. Gadallah, Faculty of Forestry, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Postal Code,Sudan
• Mohamed M.A. Adam, Faculty of Forestry, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Sudan
• Audrey Barker Plotkin, Harvard Forest, Harvard University, USA

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2025

Journal Name

Trees, Forests and People

Abstract

Savanna ecosystems comprise a complex and diverse biome, marked by the balanced cohabitation of trees and shrubs alongside a rich assembly of herbaceous flora, particularly grasses. In Sudan, savanna ecosystems provide invaluable services that sustain the livelihoods of millions of people. Here, we synthesized the existing knowledge about tree density, diversity, and distribution in the savanna woodlands of Sudan to assess tree diversity, evaluate tree conservation status on the basis of tree abundance and distribution according to IUCN guidelines, and map tree diversity and density in savanna woodlands. The research process started with an extensive search for relevant literature across various databases. The data sources included Google Scholar and Web of Science, as well as reports and publications available in the libraries of Sudanese universities. The results revealed that savanna woodland contains 163 tree species belonging to 40 families. Fabaceae was the most frequent family, accounting for 44 species. The species richness among the sites ranged from 1 to 73 species, and the stand density ranged from 20.5 to 500 stems/ha. Moreover, this study revealed that Acacia seyal, Acacia senegal, Balanites aegyptiaca, and Ziziphus spina-christi are the most frequent species and that these four key species are well distributed throughout the savanna woodland of Sudan. While this first synthesis of tree diversity and distribution lacked data at the sample plot level, it should stimulate further research in this crucial ecosystem.

Keywords

Synthesizing knowledge, tree diversity, density, distribution, savanna woodlands, Sudan

Rsif Scholar Name

Nasradeen Adam Hamed Gadallah

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Sudan

Cohort

Cohort 3

Thematic Area

Climate Change

Africa Host University (AHU)

University Felix Houphouët-Boigny (U-FHB), Côte d'Ivoire

Funding Statement

The first author sincerely acknowledges the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship for its generous support. He also extends his heartfelt gratitude to the University of Sopron for providing invaluable academic resources and guidance throughout the course of this study. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in the successful completion of this work.

Recommended Citation

M.M. Hasoba, A., A.H. Siddig, A., Czimber, K., Omer, A., A.H. Gadallah, N., M.A. Adam, M., & Plotkin, A. B. (2025). Synthesizing knowledge about tree diversity, density, and distribution in the savanna woodlands of Sudan. Trees, Forests and People https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100906