Western Zambezian grasslands

The Western Zambezian grasslands is a tropical grassland ecoregion of eastern Zambia and adjacent parts of Angola.

Western Zambezian grasslands
Location of the ecoregion
Ecology
RealmAfrotropical
Biometropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
BordersAngolan miombo woodlands, Central Zambezian miombo woodlands, Zambezian cryptosepalum dry forests and Zambezian flooded grasslands
Geography
Area33,900 km2 (13,100 sq mi)
CountriesZambia and Angola
Conservation
Conservation statusRelatively stable/intact

Setting

The Western Zambezian grasslands are found in areas of sandy soil north and south of the Barotse Floodplain in eastern Zambia. They are characterized by deep, sandy, nutrient-poor soils which are waterlogged during the rainy season, and become very dry during the dry season. They are intertwined with the Zambezian Cryptosepalum dry forests ecoregion, which is found on similar soils at slightly higher elevations with better drainage. Surrounding ecoregions include the Zambezian flooded grasslands of the Barotse Floodplain, the Angolan miombo woodlands to the northwest, the Central Zambezian miombo woodlands to the northeast and east, and the Zambezian Baikiaea woodlands to the east and south.[1]

Liuwa Plain National Park is the principal protected area in the ecoregion.[2]

References
  1. Burgess, Neil, Jennifer D’Amico Hales, Emma Underwood (2004). Terrestrial Ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: A Conservation Assessment. Island Press, Washington DC.
  2. "Western Zambezian grasslands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
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