Maputaland–Pondoland bushland and thickets
In this article, we are going to explore the impact of Maputaland–Pondoland bushland and thickets on today's society. Maputaland–Pondoland bushland and thickets has been a topic of conversation and debate in recent times, as it has generated conflicting opinions and has aroused the interest of a wide spectrum of the population. Throughout this article, we will analyze different aspects related to Maputaland–Pondoland bushland and thickets, from its origin to its influence in different areas of daily life. Likewise, we will examine different perspectives and studies that shed light on Maputaland–Pondoland bushland and thickets, with the aim of providing a comprehensive view of this phenomenon that is so relevant today.
| Maputaland-Pondoland bushland and thickets | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Map of the Maputaland-Pondoland bushland and thickets | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Afrotropical |
| Biome | montane grasslands and shrublands |
| Borders | |
| Geography | |
| Area | 19,400 km2 (7,500 sq mi) |
| Countries | South Africa |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Critical/endangered |
The Maputaland-Pondoland bushland and thickets is one of the ecoregions of South Africa. It consists of the montane shrubland biome.[1]
Geography
The ecoregion occupies the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains, covering an area of 19,500 square kilometers (7,500 sq mi) in South Africa's Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. It is bounded on the east by the KwaZulu-Cape coastal forest mosaic, which lies in the humid coastal strip along the Indian Ocean; to the west it is bounded by the higher-elevation Drakensberg montane grasslands, woodlands and forests. To the south, it transitions to the drier Albany thickets, which are characterized by more succulent and spiny plants.
Climate
The ecoregion experiences a dry subtropical climate characterised by varying rainfall levels, ranging from 800 mm to 450 mm per year. The majority of rainfall, approximately three-quarters, occurs during the warm summer months between October and March. Frosts are infrequent due to the moderating influence of the nearby Indian Ocean.[citation needed]
Flora
The typical vegetation is sclerophyll evergreen shrubs, which form dense, closed canopy thickets up to six meters in height. The ecoregion, which is in a transition between moist and dry, montane and lowland, and temperate and tropical, has a rich diversity of species, although with few endemics. [citation needed]
Fauna
The ecoregion is home to a variety of animal species, including endangered black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) and white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum).[citation needed]
Protected areas
A 1994 survey found that about 7.5% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include the Great Fish River Nature Reserve, Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, and Thomas Baines Nature Reserve.[2]
See also
- Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot – Southern Africa biodiversity hotspot
- Maputaland – Natural region in South Africa in northern KwaZulu-Natal
- EmaMpondweni, also known as Pondoland – natural region of South Africa, formerly occupied by the Pondo Kingdom and Pondo people
- Wild Coast – Section of the coast of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
References
- ^ Ecoregions of South Africa Archived 2011-11-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Maputaland-Pondoland bushland and thickets". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
External links
- "Maputaland-Pondoland bushland and thickets". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany
30°40′S 29°24′E / 30.667°S 29.400°E
