Information AboutAfromontane |
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Although some Afromontane enclaves are widely separated, they share a similar mix of plant species which are often distinct from the surrounding lowland regions. Podocarp s, of genera '' Podocarpus '' and '' Afrocarpus '', are a characteristic tree, along with '' Prunus Africana '' and trees of genera '' Hagenia '', '' Juniperus '', and '' Olea ''. In the higher mountains, the Afromontane forest or woodland zone transitions to a higher Afroalpine zone of grasslands, shrublands, or moorlands. The plant families Curtisiaceae and Oliniaceae are Afromontane endemics and family Barbeyaceae is a near-endemic. The tree genera '' Afrocrania , Balthasaria , Curtisia , Ficalhoa , Hagenia , Kiggelaria , Leucosidea , Platypterocarpus , Trichocladus ,'' '' Widdringtonia '', and '' Xymalos '' are Afromontane endemics or near-endemics, as are the plant genera '' Ardisiandra , Cincinnobotrys ,'' and '' Stapfiella ''. In South Africa , Afromontane forests cover only 0.5% of the country's land area. The Afromontane forests occur along the mountainous arc of the Drakensberg Range, from Limpopo Province in the northeast to the Western Cape Province in the southwest. The Afromontane forests generally occur in well-watered areas, including ravines and north-facing slopes. The Afromontane forests are intolerant of fire, and the frequent fires of the surrounding Fynbos , Savanna , and Grassland limit the expansion of the forests. Despite their small area, the Afromontane forests of South Africa produce valuable timber, particularly the Real Yellowwood ''(Podocarpus latifolius)'', Outeniqua Yellowwood ''(Afrocarpus falcatus)'', and Stinkwood ''(Ocotea bullata)''. AFROMONTANE ECOREGIONS Tropical And Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Montane Grasslands, Shrublands, And Woodlands
Deserts And Xeric Shrublands
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