Southern Congolian forest–savanna mosaic
Southern Congolian forest–savanna mosaic | |
---|---|
Democratic Republic of Congo | |
Ecology | |
Realm | Afrotropical |
Biome | tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands |
Borders | |
Geography | |
Area | 565,812 km2 (218,461 sq mi) |
Countries |
|
Conservation | |
Conservation status | Vulnerable |
Protected | 19,841 km2 (4%)[1] |
The southern Congolian forest–savanna mosaic is an ecoregion that covers a large area of the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and northeastern Angola. Its rich blend of habitats provides key insights into the biogeography of central Africa with the extensive climatic variation that it has been experiencing for the last 10 million years. The human population is not high.[2]
Geography
The Southern Congolian forest–savanna mosaic is a transitional region between the equatorial
Elevations range from 300 to 400 m in the southern Congo Basin to plateaus of 1000 meters or more.[3]
Central Africa is familiar with repeated climatic variation that have caused
Climate
The climate is tropical. Mean maximum temperature ranges from 27º to 30 °C, and annual mean minimum temperature ranges from 18º to 21 °C. Average annual rainfall is 1400 mm across most of the ecoregion, decreasing to 1200 mm in the drier southeast and increasing to 1600 mm along the northern boundary with the Congolian rainforests.[3]
Flora
The ecoregion is a mosaic of forest, savanna, and grassland. Semi-evergreen rainforest is found along the rivers that drain northwards into the Congo Basin, with open woodland, savanna, and grassland in the uplands. Rainforest flora is typically Guineo-Congolian species, while the woodland, savanna, and grassland species are mostly Zambezian.[3]
Fauna
Large forest mammals include the lowland bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus eurycerus), blue duiker (Philantomba monticola), and yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor). Large mammals of the savannas and grasslands include African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), and southern reedbuck (Redunca arundinum). Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) are found along rivers. Lions (Panthera leo) are the ecoregion's top predators. Bonobos (Pan paniscus) are found in the northern part of the ecoregion, including Lukuru area.[3]
Several small mammals are endemic to the ecoregion, including Gallagher's free-tailed bat (Chaerephon gallagheri), greater Congo shrew (Congosorex polli), Lukolela swamp rat (Malacomys lukolelae), and least soft-furred mouse (Praomys minor).[3]
Endemic and near-endemic reptiles include the
Conservation and threats
The political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is unstable; until the country is stable, no important conservation work is likely.[2]
Protected areas
A 2017 assessment found that 19,841 km2, or 4%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas.[1] Protected areas include Lomami National Park, Mangai Nature Reserve (1903.33 km2), Bushimaie Hunting Reserve (4368.7 km2), and Luama-Kivu Hunting Area (3,900.28 km2).[9]
External links
- "Southern Congolian forest-savanna mosaic (World Wildlife Fund)". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
References
- ^ a b Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, et al. (2017). An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm, BioScience, Volume 67, Issue 6, June 2017, Pages 534–545; Supplemental material 2 table S1b. [1]
- ^ a b Kelman, Illisa. "Central Africa: Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola". World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
- ^ a b c d e f g Burgess, Neil, Jennifer D'Amico Hales, Emma Underwood, et al. (2004). "Terrestrial Ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: A Conservation Assessment". World Wildlife Fund. Island Press, 2004, pp. 294-296.
- ISBN 978-0582643468.
- ^ ISBN 978-0691085609.
- ISBN 9789231019555.
- .
- ^ "Savannas of the Green Heart of Africa". World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
- ^ "Southern Congolian forest-savanna mosaic". DOPA Explorer. Accessed 6 November 2021. [2]