South Saharan steppe and woodlands
South Saharan steppe and woodlands | |
---|---|
Palearctic | |
Biome | Deserts and xeric shrublands |
Geography | |
Area | 1,101,700 km2 (425,400 sq mi) |
Countries | |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | relatively intact |
The South Saharan steppe and woodlands, also known as the South Sahara desert, is a
Location and description
The ecoregion covers 1,101,700 square kilometers (425,400 sq mi) in
Climate
The climate of the ecoregion is Hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification (BSh)). This climate is characteristic of steppes, with hot summers and cool or mild winters, and minimal precipitation. The coldest month averages above 0 °C (32 °F).[4][5] Movements of the equatorial Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) bring summer rains during July and August which average 100 to 200 mm, but vary greatly from year to year. These rains sustain summer pastures of grasses and herbs, with dry woodlands and shrublands along seasonal watercourses.[6]
Flora and fauna
Almost 99% of the region is bare ground or sparse vegetation that is dependent on uncertain rainfall. The grasses are typically canegrass (
Most of the animals of the region have been reduced to small populations, including the critically endangered addax (also known as the white antelope) (
Ecoregion delineation
In 2001, WWF devised Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World (TEOW) "a biogeographic regionalization of the Earth's terrestrial biodiversity".
In 2017, the authors of the 2001 system proposed a revised ecoregion system for the Sahara. The South Saharan steppe and woodlands ecoregion was extended into the central Sahara, and renamed
Protected areas
Approximately 11% of the ecoregion is officially protected in some form.[2] These include:
- Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve, in Niger.
- Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve, in Chad.
References
- ^ a b c d e "South Saharan steppe and woodlands". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c "South Saharan steppe and woodlands". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "South Saharan steppe and woodlands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved December 29, 2007.
- ^ "Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World". World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ "South Saharan steppe and woodlands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- .
- S2CID 13136188.)
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link