Angolan miombo woodlands
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Angolan miombo woodlands | |
---|---|
Ecology | |
Realm | Afrotropic |
Biome | Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands |
Borders | List
|
Geography | |
Area | 660,100 km2 (254,900 sq mi) |
Countries | |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | relatively intact |
Protected | 5.37%[1] |
Angolan miombo woodlands cover most of central Angola and extend into the
Location and description
This area of savanna and woodland covers an area of plateau and gentle hills in central Angola, in the
Climate
The Angolian miombo woodlands has a tropical climate, wetter than the surrounding savanna, with most of the rain falling in the hotter summer months (November–March).[3]
Flora
The flora is moist deciduous broadleaf savanna and woodland. Between these areas is open grassland. Three species of tree dominate miombo woodland: Brachystegia, Julbernardia, and Isoberlinia. Under the trees there is a rich variety of other flora while the grassland areas in the region lie on sandy soil. One particular feature of miombo woodland is its vulnerability to fire, as the area is dry most of the year round.
Fauna
Other large mammals found in the ecoregion include
Amphibians are less common. They include two endemic frog species,
Finally, in miombo woodland the many
Urban areas and settlements
Towns and cities in the region include
Threats and protected areas
The intense and long-lasting Angolan Civil War from 1975 to 2002 caused immense damage to this environment, leaving the forests exposed to poaching and uncontrolled clearance, and conservation became a low priority for the government. The conflict also prevented proper study of the region by scientists. However the woodland is not threatened by clearance for agriculture or logging as along with the effects of war there are other factors keeping the population of the region to a minimum; the sandy soil does not sustain agriculture, and the woods and grassland are rife with tsetse fly. Some forest is being cleared on the edge of towns or for strip-mining.
There are a number of Angolan national parks in the region. Some had to be abandoned at various times during the civil war due to fighting.
5.37% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas in the ecoregion include:[1]
- Bicuar National Park
- Buffalo Partial Reserve
- Cameia National Park
- Cangandala National Park, an important haven for the giant sable antelope (Hippotragus niger variani).
- Luando Integral Nature Reserve
- Longa-Mavinga National Park
- Mupa National Park
- Namibe Partial Reserve
References
- ^ a b "Angolan miombo woodlands". DOPA Explorer. Accessed 23 March 2022
- ^ "Angolan Miombo woodlands - Encyclopedia of Earth". 6 May 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "Angolan Miombo woodlands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
External links
- "Angolan Miombo woodlands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.