Woody plants occurrence across Namibia, 2023

This dataset comprises woody plant occurrence records collected across eight regions of Namibia: Kunene, Karas, Khomas, Kavango East, Oshana, Oshikoto, Zambezi, and Hardap, during the November to December 2023 field campaign. The purpose of the study was to assess the structure, composition, and diversity of woody vegetation communities along environmental gradients, providing baseline data for long-term vegetation monitoring, ecological modeling, and conservation planning across Namibia. Woody plant surveys were systematically conducted within standardized 50 × 50-meter plots established at each sampling site. Within each plot, all woody plants that are 1.3m or above were assessed. For each qualifying individual, the following parameters were documented: Scientific species name, supplemented by vernacular (local or english) names where available, DBH measuring tape, Height, measured using the MeasureHeights mobile application, Canopy structure, described using two standardized categories, Canopy 1 and Canopy 2, which refer to the vertical and horizontal complexity of the canopy. Species identification was performed in the field using a combination of regional botanical field guides and the iNaturalist mobile application, ensuring accurate and consistent taxonomic resolution. For each plot, GPS coordinates of the central point were recorded using a Garmin handheld GPS unit, ensuring precise geolocation of observations. A rapid sampling was also done in different plots, were trees were not measured but rather given a category. Tree abundance within the designated plot was quantified using a categorical scale ranging from 1 to 5, where a rating of 1 denoted the least prevalent species, and a rating of 5 indicated the species with the highest dominance. The rapid sampling was done to increase the spatial coverage within the time period of sampling and also to establish if eDNA metabarcoding will pick up what direct observation picked up. The dataset is taxonomically rich and reflects the floristic composition typical of Namibia’s savannas, dry woodlands, and arid shrubland. Some of the families recorded are: Euphorbiaceae, Burseraceae, Rhamnaceae, Capparaceae, Loganiaceae, Myrtales, Sapindales, Lamiales and Ochnaceae. This dataset provides high-resolution floristic and structural information on woody vegetation across Namibia’s key ecological zones. It is especially valuable for assessing the impacts of environmental gradients, land use, and climate variability on woody plant communities. Additionally, the data form an essential foundation for future studies incorporating plant trait analysis, carbon stock estimation, and vegetation classification using remote sensing.