Afromontane
Encyclopedia
Afromontane is a term used to describe the Afrotropic
subregion and its plant and animal species common to the mountains of Africa
and the southern Arabian Peninsula
. The Afromontane regions of Africa are discontinuous, separated from each other by lowlands, and are sometimes referred to as the Afromontane archipelago, as their distribution is analogous to a series of sky island
s.
of South Africa
. Afromontane forests are generally cooler and more humid than the surrounding lowlands.
The Afromontane archipelago mostly follows the Great Rift Valley
from the Red Sea
to Zimbabwe
, with the largest areas in the Ethiopian Highlands
, the Albertine Rift of Uganda
, Rwanda
, Burundi
, Democratic Republic of the Congo
, and Tanzania
, and the Eastern Arc highlands of Kenya
and Tanzania. Other Afromontane regions include the Drakensberg
range of southern Africa, the Cameroon Highlands, and the Cameroon Line
volcanoes, including Mount Cameroon
, Bioko
, and São Tomé
.
and Afrocarpus
, are a characteristic tree, along with Prunus africana
, Hagenia abyssinica, Juniperus procera
, and Olea
spp.. 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.
, 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 south-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).
Montane grasslands, shrublands, and woodlands
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Afrotropic
The Afrotropic is one of the Earth's eight ecozones. It includes Africa south of the Sahara Desert, the southern and eastern fringes of the Arabian Peninsula, the island of Madagascar, southern Iran and extreme southwestern Pakistan, and the islands of the western Indian Ocean. It was formerly...
subregion and its plant and animal species common to the mountains of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and the southern Arabian Peninsula
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
. The Afromontane regions of Africa are discontinuous, separated from each other by lowlands, and are sometimes referred to as the Afromontane archipelago, as their distribution is analogous to a series of sky island
Sky island
Sky islands are mountains that are isolated by surrounding lowlands of a dramatically different environment, a situation which, in combination with the altitudinal zonation of ecosystems, has significant implications for natural habitats. Endemism, vertical migration, and relict populations are...
s.
Geography
Afromontane communities occur above 1500–2000 m (4,921.3–6,561.7 ft) elevation near the equator, and as low as 300 metres (984.3 ft) elevation in the Knysna-Amatole montane forestsKnysna-Amatole montane forests
The Knysna-Amatole montane forests ecoregion, of the Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests Biome, is in South Africa. It covers an Afromontane area of in South Africa's Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces.-Setting:...
of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Afromontane forests are generally cooler and more humid than the surrounding lowlands.
The Afromontane archipelago mostly follows the Great Rift Valley
Great Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley is a name given in the late 19th century by British explorer John Walter Gregory to the continuous geographic trench, approximately in length, that runs from northern Syria in Southwest Asia to central Mozambique in South East Africa...
from the Red Sea
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, with the largest areas in the Ethiopian Highlands
Ethiopian Highlands
The Ethiopian Highlands are a rugged mass of mountains in Ethiopia, Eritrea , and northern Somalia in the Horn of Africa...
, the Albertine Rift of Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
, and Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, and the Eastern Arc highlands of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and Tanzania. Other Afromontane regions include the Drakensberg
Drakensberg
The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising to in height. In Zulu, it is referred to as uKhahlamba , and in Sesotho as Maluti...
range of southern Africa, the Cameroon Highlands, and the Cameroon Line
Cameroon line
The Cameroon line is a chain of volcanoes.It includes islands in the Gulf of Guinea and mountains that extend along the border region of eastern Nigeria and western Cameroon, from Mount Cameroon on the Gulf of Guinea north and east towards Lake Chad....
volcanoes, including Mount Cameroon
Mount Cameroon
Mount Cameroon is an active volcano in Cameroon near the Gulf of Guinea. Mount Cameroon is also known as Cameroon Mountain or Fako or by its native name Mongo ma Ndemi ....
, Bioko
Bioko
Bioko is an island 32 km off the west coast of Africa, specifically Cameroon, in the Gulf of Guinea. It is the northernmost part of Equatorial Guinea with a population of 124,000 and an area of . It is volcanic with its highest peak the Pico Basile at .-Geography:Bioko has a total area of...
, and São Tomé
São Tomé Island
São Tomé Island, at , is the largest island of São Tomé and Príncipe and is home in 2009 to about 157,000 or 96% of the nation's population. This island and smaller nearby islets make up São Tomé Province, which is divided into six districts. The main island is located 2 km north of the...
.
Flora
Although some Afromontane enclaves are widely separated, they share a similar mix of plant species which are often distinct from the surrounding lowland regions. Podocarps, of genera PodocarpusPodocarpus
Podocarpus is a genus of conifers, the most numerous and widely distributed of the podocarp family Podocarpaceae. The 105 species of Podocarpus are evergreen shrubs or trees from 1-25 m in height...
and Afrocarpus
Afrocarpus
Afrocarpus is a genus of conifers belonging to the podocarp family Podocarpaceae. Afrocarpus was designated a genus in 1989, when several species formerly classified in Podocarpus and Nageia were reclassified. Two to six species are recognized.As the name intimates, Afrocarpus is native to Africa...
, are a characteristic tree, along with Prunus africana
Prunus africana
Prunus africana, or Red Stinkwood , is an evergreen tree native to the montane regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Islands of Madagascar, Sao Tome, Fernando Po and Grande Comore at about 900–3400 m. of altitude. The mature tree is 10–25 m. high, open-branched and often pendulous in forest,...
, Hagenia abyssinica, Juniperus procera
Juniperus procera
Juniperus procera, commonly known in English as African Juniper or East African Juniper, is a coniferous tree native to the mountains of eastern Africa from eastern Sudan south to Zimbabwe, and the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula...
, and Olea
Olea
Olea is a genus of about 40 species in the family Oleaceae, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of southern Europe, Africa, southern Asia and Australasia. They are evergreen trees and shrubs, with small, opposite, entire leaves...
spp.. 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
Balthasaria
Balthasaria is a genus of plant in family Theaceae. It contains the following species :* Balthasaria mannii, Verdc.* Balthasaria schliebenii, Verdc....
, Curtisia
Curtisia
Curtisia dentata is a flowering tree from Southern Africa...
, Ficalhoa, Hagenia
Hagenia
Hagenia abyssinica is a species of flowering plant native to the high-elevation Afromontane regions of central and eastern Africa. It also has a disjunct distribution in the high mountains of East Africa from Sudan and Ethiopia in the north, through Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic...
, Kiggelaria, Leucosidea
Leucosidea
Leucosidea sericea, commonly known as Ouhout in Afrikaans, is a species of evergreen tree or large shrub native to the Afromontane regions of Southern Africa. It is the sole species in the genus Leucosidea...
, Platypterocarpus
Platypterocarpus
Platypterocarpus is a genus of plant in family Celastraceae. It contains a single species, Platypterocarpus tanganyikensis , and is endemic to Tanzania.-Source:* Lovett, J. & Clarke, G.P. 1998. . Downloaded on 23 August 2007....
, Trichocladus
Trichocladus
Trichocladus is a genus of plant in family Hamamelidaceae.Species include:* Trichocladus crinitus, Pers.* Trichocladus dentatus, Hutch.* Trichocladus ellipticus, Eckl...
, Widdringtonia
Widdringtonia
Widdringtonia is a genus of coniferous trees in the Cupressaceae . The name was apparently Austrian botanist Stephan Endlicher's way of honouring an early expert on the coniferous forests of Spain, Capt. Samuel Edward Cook or Widdrington...
, and Xymalos
Xymalos
Xymalos monospora, commonly known as Lemonwood, is a monotypic species of evergreen tree native to Africa. Xymalos is an Afromontane endemic, and can be found from 900–2700 meters elevation in the highlands of Eastern Africa from Sudan to South Africa, as well as on Mount Cameroon and Bioko in...
are Afromontane endemics or near-endemics, as are the plant genera Ardisiandra, Cincinnobotrys, and Stapfiella.
Distribution
In South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Afromontane forests cover only 0.5% of the country's land area. The Afromontane forests occur along the mountainous arc of the Drakensberg
Drakensberg
The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising to in height. In Zulu, it is referred to as uKhahlamba , and in Sesotho as Maluti...
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 south-facing slopes. The Afromontane forests are intolerant of fire, and the frequent fires of the surrounding fynbos
Fynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
, savanna
Savanna
A savanna, or savannah, is a grassland ecosystem characterized by the trees being sufficiently small or widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to support an unbroken herbaceous layer consisting primarily of C4 grasses.Some...
, and grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
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
Afrocarpus is a genus of conifers belonging to the podocarp family Podocarpaceae. Afrocarpus was designated a genus in 1989, when several species formerly classified in Podocarpus and Nageia were reclassified. Two to six species are recognized.As the name intimates, Afrocarpus is native to Africa...
(Afrocarpus falcatus), and Stinkwood
Ocotea bullata
Ocotea bullata is a species of flowering tree in the family Lauraceae, native to South Africa. It produces very fine and valuable timber which, along with Yellowood, was much sought after to make traditional furniture. Due to over-exploitation it is now a protected species. Other names for it are...
(Ocotea bullata).
Afromontane ecoregions
Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forestsTropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests , also known as tropical moist forests, are a tropical and subtropical forest biome....
- Albertine Rift montane forestsAlbertine Rift montane forestsThe Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion, of the Tropical moist broadleaf forest Biome, are in the heart of Afromontane tropical Africa.-Location and description:...
(Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda) - Cameroonian Highlands forestsCameroonian Highlands forestsThe Cameroonian Highlands forests are a montane tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion located on the range of mountains that runs inland from the Gulf of Guinea and forms the border between Cameroon and Nigeria...
(Cameroon, Nigeria) - East African montane forestsEast African montane forestsThe East African montane forests is a montane tropical moist forest ecoregion of eastern Africa. The ecoregion comprises several separate areas above 1000 meters in the mountains of South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.-Setting:...
(Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda) - Eastern Arc forests (Tanzania, Kenya)
- Ethiopian montane forests (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan)
- Guinean montane forests (Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone)
- Knysna-Amatole montane forestsKnysna-Amatole montane forestsThe Knysna-Amatole montane forests ecoregion, of the Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests Biome, is in South Africa. It covers an Afromontane area of in South Africa's Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces.-Setting:...
(South Africa) - Southern Afrotemperate ForestSouthern Afrotemperate ForestSouthern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
(Western Cape Province of South Africa) - Mount Cameroon and Bioko montane forestsMount Cameroon and Bioko montane forestsThe Mount Cameroon and Bioko montane forests ecoregion, of the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests Biome, are in Afromontane habitats in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea of Africa.- Setting :...
(Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea)
Montane grasslands, shrublands, and woodlands
Montane grasslands and shrublands
Montane grasslands and shrublands is a biome defined by the World Wildlife Fund. The biome includes high altitude grasslands and shrublands around the world....
- Angolan montane forest-grassland mosaicAngolan montane forest-grassland mosaicThe Angolan montane forest-grassland mosaic ecoregion is located on the east-facing inland side of the belt of mountains that stands parallel to the coast of Angola, 50-100km inland.-Location and description:...
(Angola) - Angolan scarp savanna and woodlandsAngolan Scarp savanna and woodlandsThe Angolan Scarp savanna and woodlands is an ecoregion is located on the coast of Angola, an area with a variety of habitats and rich in wildlife including many endemic birds and animals.-Location and description:...
(Angola) - Drakensberg alti-montane grasslands and woodlands (Lesotho, South Africa)
- Drakensberg montane grasslands, woodlands and forests (Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland)
- East African montane moorlandsEast African montane moorlandsThe East African montane moorlands are a montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregion which occupies several high mountain peaks in Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda-Setting:...
(Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda) - Eastern Zimbabwe montane forest-grassland mosaic (Mozambique, Zimbabwe)
- Ethiopian montane grasslands and woodlands (Eritrea, Ethiopia)
- Ethiopian montane moorlands (Ethiopia)
- Highveld grasslands (Lesotho, South Africa)
- Jos Plateau forest-grassland mosaic (Nigeria)
- Maputaland-Pondoland bushland and thicketsMaputaland-Pondoland bushland and thicketsThe Maputaland-Pondoland bushland and thickets ecoregion, of the montane shrubland Biome, is in South Africa. The ecoregion occupies the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains, covering an area of in South Africa's Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces...
(Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland) - Southern Afrotemperate ForestSouthern Afrotemperate ForestSouthern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
(Western Cape Province of South Africa) - Ruwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda)
- South Malawi montane forest-grassland mosaicSouth Malawi montane forest-grassland mosaicThe South Malawi montane forest-grassland mosaic is an ecoregion of Malawi and Mozambique. It includes Mount Mulanje and nearby peaks, and Mount Mabu.-External links:* *...
(Malawi, Mozambique) - Southern Rift montane forest-grassland mosaic (Malawi, Tanzania)
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Deserts and xeric shrublands is a biome characterized by, relating to, or requiring only a small amount of moisture.-Definition and occurrence:...
- Southwestern Arabian montane woodlandsSouthwestern Arabian montane woodlandsThe Southwestern Arabian montane woodlands is a xeric woodland ecoregion of the Arabian Peninsula.-Setting:The ecoregion covers an area of , lying above 2000 meters elevations in the Asir Mountains of southwestern Saudi Arabia and the Western Highlands of Yemen.-Flora:The flora changes with elevation...
(Saudi Arabia, Yemen)