iarjalsIARJALSIARJALS2708-5104https://doi.org/10.47310/iarjals.2021.v02i01.032Vegetation Structure and Condition of the Head Water Palustrine Dambo Eco-System in the Upper Catchment of the Chongwe River, Central ZambiaHarryChabwelaChansaChombaBeverlyChabwelaNamakauMuyumbanaA survey to determine the ecological character focusing on the condition and vegetation structure of the dambo wetland eco-system in the upper sub-catchment of the Chongwe River, central Zambia was carried out focusing on five dambos and associated forests in Kanakantapa area. Line intercept method was used to evaluate herbaceous cover which also included shrubs and forbs, while woody plants were assessed using Point Centred Quadrat (PCQ) method and species importance values. Results of the study showed that dambos were largely dominated by Loudentia simplex (Nees) Hubbard (30.5%), Digitaria milanjiana (Rendle) Stapf (21.7%), Setaria ciliolata (26%) and Setaria anceps Stapf ex Massey (20.0%). Important woody plant species were Julbernardia globiflora (97.56 IV), Monotes katangensis (66.91 IV), Julbernardia panniculata Tropin (57.33) Acacia sieberana DC. (52.39 IV), Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia (40.72IV), Brachystegia boehmii (35.99 IV) Albizia antunesiana (33.43 IV). All dambos studied showed shrub encroachment with relatively high number of shrub species in Kanakantapa and Mwiinde dambos ecosystems. Highest shrub canopy cover was observed in Kanakantapa dambo. It was concluded that dambos were largely at high risk of degradation due to mainly siltation influenced by deforestation, overgrazing and shrub encroachment. Further research is required to guide sustainable land use and future plans of possible catchment management as well as determining hydrological implication and possible ways of conservation of dambos.