Cameroonian Highlands forests
Cameroonian Highlands forests | |
---|---|
Afrotropical | |
Biome | tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests |
Borders | |
Geography | |
Area | 38,000 km2 (15,000 sq mi) |
Countries | |
Coordinates | 6°N 11°E / 6°N 11°E |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | Critical/endangered[1] |
Protected | 6.9%[2] |
The Cameroonian Highlands forests, also known as the Cameroon Highlands forests, are a
Geography
The Cameroonian Highlands forests extend across the
The ecoregion lies above 900 meters elevation, and is surrounded at lower elevations by the Cross–Sanaga–Bioko coastal forests at the southern end of the range, and by Guinean forest–savanna mosaic along the central and northern ends of the range. The Cameroon Highlands form the boundary between the Guinean and Northern Congolian forest–savanna mosaic ecoregions. The highest peak within the ecoregion is Mount Oku (3,011 metres (9,879 ft)). Mount Cameroon is highest mountain in the chain, but its high-elevation forests are designated a separate ecoregion.[1]
Climate
Mean maximum temperatures are below 20°C due to the effects of altitude, and are cooler than the surrounding lowlands. Average annual rainfall ranges from around 4,000 mm near the coast to 1,800 mm or less further inland.[1] The highlands are an important source of water for both Nigeria and Cameroon.
Flora
The vegetation varies with elevation. Submontane forests extend from approximately 900 metres (2,953 ft) to 2,000 metres (6,562 ft) meters elevation. Above 2,000 metres (6,562 ft) elevation are distinct montane forests and patches of montane grassland, bamboo forest, and subalpine grasslands and shrublands. The ecoregion is characterized by the presence of Afromontane species, which have an archipelago-like distribution across the highlands of Africa and are distinct from the lowland flora. Typical afromontane tree species are Nuxia congesta, Olea capensis, Podocarpus milanjianus, Prunus africana, Myrsine melanophloeos, and Syzygium staudtii.[1][5]
Submontane forests from 850 to 1600 meters elevation typically have an open canopy. Common trees include species of Alchornea, along with species characteristic of the adjacent lowland plant communities, like semi-deciduous forests (species of Ficus, Santiria, Symphonia, Allanblackia and Anthocleista) and savanna (species of Lannea, Bridelia, Lophira, and Fabaceae). Grasses are abundant in the understorey. From 1600 to 2000 meters, trees from the Euphorbiaceae family predominate, including species of Macaranga, Alchornea, and Mallotus. Savanna and semi-deciduous forest species - Ficus, Lophira, Bridelia, Lannea, and Fabaceae – are also present. The Afromontane genus Astropanax is abundant, and Afromontane species including Olea capensis, Syzygium, Maesa, Meliaceae, and Clematis grow in smaller numbers. Grasses remain common in the understory.[5]
Afromontane forests grow above 2000 meters elevation. Lower montane forests generally have a denser canopy than the submontane and upper montane forests, with fewer grasses in the shady understorey. Trees in the lower Afromontane forests include species of Astropanax, Alchornea, Myrica, and
In the northern mountains, including the Adamawa Plateau, Hosséré Vokré, and Alantika mountains, the climate is drier and rainfall is more seasonal. Submontane forests are generally absent, and the Afromontane forests transition directly to savanna. Afromontane forests on the Hosséré Vokré and Alantika mountains are mostly limited to stream valleys and ravines, separated by areas of montane savanna or grassland.[6][7]
The ericaceous belt is a transition between the upper montane forests and high-elevation grasslands, ranging from approximately 2750 up to 2950 meters elevation. Shrubs and stunted trees of genus Ericaceae, including Erica mannii and Erica silvatica, are predominant.[5]
Subalpine grasslands grow above 2800 meters elevation, with many grasses, and herbs in the genera Alchemilla and Anthospermum and the families Caryophyllaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae.[5]
Fauna
The ecoregion is home to a number of
Six species of birds are strictly endemic: the
Eleven small mammal species are endemic to the ecoregion:
The ecoregion is home to several endangered
Forty species of amphibians are endemic to the ecoregion:
The following reptiles are also considered more or less endemic:
Urban areas and settlements
In Cameroon the mountains are quite heavily populated and used for farming and grazing; much of this ecoregion lies in the
Conservation and threats
The forest is continually being cleared for firewood, timber and to create farmland, and many of the mountains have lost significant amounts of forest cover. There is very little formal environmental protection.
Protected areas
6.9% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Cameroonian Highlands forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- ^ a b "Cameroonian Highlands forests". DOPA Explorer. Accessed 7 August 2021. [1]
- ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "Cameroonian Highlands forests". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Lorelei Verlhac, Kenji Izumi, Anne-Marie Lézine, Kévin Lemonnier, Guillaume Buchet, Gaston Achoundong, Barthélémy Tchiengué (2018). Altitudinal distribution of pollen, plants and biomes in the Cameroon highlands. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Volume 259, 2018, Pages 21-28. ISSN 0034-6667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.revpalbo.2018.09.011.
- ^ a b BirdLife International (2024) Endemic Bird Areas factsheet: Cameroon mountains. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ B. Larison, T. B. Smith, D. Mcniven, R. Fotso, M. Bruford, K. Holbrook,and A. Lamperti, Faunal Surveys of Selected Montane and Lowland Areas of Cameroon, WWF Cameroon, 1996, unpubl. PDF
- ^ Bauer, A. M., Chirio, L., Ineich, I., & LeBreton, M. (2006). New Species of Cnemaspis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Northern Cameroon, a Neglected Biodiversity Hotspot. Journal of Herpetology, 40(4), 510–519. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4498534
External links
- "Cameroonian Highlands forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- Mission for the preservation of drill monkeys