Namibian savanna woodlands
Namibian savanna woodlands | |
---|---|
Afrotropic | |
Biome | Deserts and xeric shrublands |
Borders | List |
Geography | |
Area | 225,500 km2 (87,100 sq mi) |
Countries | |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | relatively intact |
The Namibian savanna woodlands, also known as the Namib escarpment woodlands, are the deserts and xeric shrublands ecoregion of Namibia and Angola.
Geography
They extend north and south from southwestern Angola to central Namibia, east of the coastal
To the northeast lie more humid woodland and savanna ecoregions – the
Climate
The ecoregion has a semi-arid to arid climate. Average annual rainfall varies from 60 mm in the west to 200 mm in the east. Most rain falls as thundershowers during the October-to-March summer months. Rainfall varies from year to year, with the greatest variation in the dry west. The ecoregion lacks the moderating influence on temperature and humidity that the Benguela Current brings to the coastal deserts to the west. Summer weather can be extremely hot, with the monthly mean exceeding 40º C during the hottest summer month. Frosts are common in the winter, and monthly minimum temperatures can drop below -9º C in the colder parts of the ecoregion.[2]
Flora
The varying rainfall, topography, and soils within the ecoregion supports several plant communities. In the north and east,
The ecoregion has many endemic species, particularly on the Brandberg and the Kaoko escarpment.
Fauna
Large mammal herbivores in the ecoregion include the
Limited-range species and subspecies native to the ecoregion include Hartmann's mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae), Angolan slender mongoose (Galerella flavescens), Shortridge's rock mouse (Petromyscus shortridgei), Angolan hairy bat (Cistugo seabrae), and Namib long-eared bat (Laephotis namibensis).[2]
Protected areas
The Namib-Naukluft National Park lies mostly west of the ecoregion in the Namib desert, but also includes the Naukluft Mountains and portions of the western escarpment. The western portion of the Etosha National Park extends into the ecoregion.
External links
- "Namibian savanna woodlands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.