Nyika Plateau

Coordinates: 10°21′S 33°36′E / 10.35°S 33.60°E / -10.35; 33.60
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Afromontane grassland of the Nyika Plateau

The Nyika Plateau lies in northern

Luangwa Valley, and its similarly prominent south-east escarpment rises about 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above the South Rukuru River valley.[1] It is very different in scenery from other parts of Malawi, consisting of rolling hills with little streams in broad valleys, and rough grassland with clumps of pine trees.[2]

Wildlife and human settlement

It is known for its

Nyika dwarf toad[3]), and also for its orchids. All of the plateau is protected, by Malawi's large Nyika National Park and the much smaller Nyika National Park, Zambia. The only settlement on the plateau is Chelinda, the headquarters and accommodation site for the Malawian park.[4]

Flora

A grove of afromontane forest on the Nyika Plateau.

A large area of the Nyika Plateau, around 3,000 km2 (1,200 sq mi), makes up the Nyika National Park. Owing to its protected status, endemic flora continue to flourish in this part of the plateau. The flora of the plateau include gladioli, delphiniums, lobelia, and 'red hot pokers'. The plateau is also home to around 200 species of orchids. Groves of montane forests also dot the plateau.[5]

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-540-05831-0
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-1-74179-433-5
    .
  3. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T54717A16949450.en
    .
  4. ^ "Nyika National Park". UNESCO. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Nyika Plateau". Expert Africa. Retrieved 23 July 2013.

10°21′S 33°36′E / 10.35°S 33.60°E / -10.35; 33.60

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