The Batemi are an agropastoral group who inhabit a semi-arid area in Northwestern Tanzania. The group lives a traditional subsistence lifestyle and are therefore dependent on the resources that surround them. This study: (1) investigates their use of woody vegetation; (2) studies the abundance and distribution of woody vegetation in the area; and (3) experiments with assigning use values to species and with employing these use values to identify conservation priorities. The Batemi utilize over 100 woody species, in 37 families' and 58 genera, from the environment surrounding their villages for construction, fuel, implements, services, food and medicine. Random sampling and systematic inventories in the valley showed that the most abundant species are Croton dictygamous and Acacia tortilis. Land cover in the area can be classed into three main vegetation types using a polythetic divisive program, TWINSPAN and these types are linked to three habitat types: hillside, plain and riverine. A landcover map for the area was produced from Landsat TM digital data. Based on density of woody vegetation, four categories were chosen for the final map product: thicket, woodland, wooded grassland, and grassland. To establish conservation priorities, use values are assigned based on importance of a use, number of species that can fulfill that use, and the rate of consumption. These values, when compared to abundance, provide a framework for considering conservation priorities. Based on various methods, Acacia mellifera and Haplocoelum folioosum are identified as two species that may require special attention.

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