South African Woodland

Three woodland systems exist in this ecotype: miombo, baikiaea and mopane woodlands. Miombo are the most widely distributed woodlands of the three and though all types are called woodlands, the area is a mosaic of woodland and savanna composition with tree canopy ranging from 25-60% cover. Precipitation is relatively high in the woodlands and savanna mosaics with annual averages grading from 600 mm (24 in) in the microphyllous thorny low tree savannas to 1800 mm (71 in) in the forests and woodlands bordering the Congo rainforests. All of the woodland-savanna systems provide critical habitat for large herbivores such as African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and the endangered black rhino (Diceros bicornis). Tree species in these regions include Brachystegia spp, Isoberlinia spp, Julbernardia spp, Baikiaea plurijuga, Cryptosepalum pseudotaxis, and Colosphospermum mopane.