Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 5.14 Miombo woodlands are a particular type of dry forest found in Eastern
Africa, as shown here in Liwale, Tanzania. (Photo courtesy of Roderick Paul Neumann,
Ph.D., Florida International University.)
and thunderstorms at the start of the rainy season can easily set the vegetation on
fire. Miombo woodlands have been regularly set on fire by people for agriculture
conversion, to improve pastures, or to flush out animals during a hunt.
Overall plant species diversity of the miombo woodland is high, though the fau-
nal richness is moderate. Many of the plants and animals found in these woodlands
are shared with nearby savannas or tropical rainforests. More than 170 different
mammals are known to occur in these woodlands, including five endemic small
species such as Vernay's climbing mouse and the miombo genet. Elephants and
buffalo feed on the abundant but low-quality forage available. They are able to eat
large quantities to make up for the lack of quality. Other large mammals such as ze-
bra, sable antelope, roan antelope, and Lichtenstein's hartebeest are also present.
Located on the northwest border of Tanzania, in the central miombo, chimpanzees
are present in the Gombe Stream National Park, well known because of Jane
Goodall's long-term studies here of the endangered chimpanzee. The area also sup-
ports red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and
red-tailed monkeys, as well as vervets and baboons. Ground pangolins and aard-
varks feed on the numerous ants and termites found in the miombo.
Other large mammals found in miombo woodlands include lions, leopards,
cheetahs, African wild dogs, jackals, and spotted hyenas. Smaller carnivores
include servals, caracals, and the miombo genet. Bird diversity is high with few
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