Ethiopian montane moorlands

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Ethiopian montane moorlands
Canis simensis -Simien Mountains, Ethiopia-8.jpg
Ethiopian wolf (Canis simienis) and giant lobelia plants (Lobelia rhynchopetalum) in the Simien Mountains.
AT1008 map.png
Location of the Ethiopian montane moorlands
Ecology
RealmAfrotropical
Biomemontane grasslands and shrublands
BordersEthiopian montane grasslands and woodlands
Geography
Area25,209 km2 (9,733 sq mi)
CountryEthiopia
Conservation
Conservation statusvulnerable[1]
Protected41.26%[2]

The Ethiopian montane moorlands is a montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregion in Ethiopia. It lies above 3,000 meters elevation in the Ethiopian Highlands, the largest Afroalpine region in Africa. The montane moorlands lie above the tree line, and consist of grassland and moorland with abundant herbs and shrubs adapted to the high elevation conditions.

Geography[]

The ecoregion occupies an area of 25,209 square kilometers (9,733 sq mi).

The ecoregion covers areas above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) elevation, extending up to 4,550 meters on Ras Dashen, the highest peak in the Ethiopian Highlands. Below the montane moorlands is the Ethiopian montane grasslands and woodlands ecoregion.[3]

The Sanetti Plateau in the Bale Mountains is the largest single area of moorland.

Climate[]

The ecoregion has a montane tropical climate. Rainfall varies across the ecoregion – as high as 2,500 mm in the southwest, and as little as 1,000 mm in the north. There is an annual dry season, which can last for only two months in the southwest and up to ten 10 months in the north. Frosts are common throughout the year, especially in the November-to-March winter months.[1]

Flora[]

The main vegetation plant communities are moorland, grassland, and herb meadow. The moorland is characterized by shrubs from a half-meter to a meter high, including Philippia, tree heath (Erica arborea), and other shrubs. The giant lobelia Lobelia rhynchopetalum can reach up to 6 meters when flowering. Herbs and grasses grow between the shrubs, including species of Helichrysum, Alchemilla, and Cerastium, and the grasses Koeleria spp. and Aira spp. The sedge Carex monostachya is common in wet areas.[1]

Fauna[]

The endangered Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) is endemic to the ecoregion. It lives in open moorlands where it hunts rodents. There are two subspecies – a northern subspecies, C. s. simensis, which lives north of the Rift Valley, and the southeastern subspecies, C. s. citernii, which lives in Bale Mountains National Park and surrounding areas.[1]

There are several endemic species of rodents, including the Ethiopian mole-rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus), Nikolaus' mouse (Megadendromus nikolausi), Ethiopian narrow-headed rat (Stenocephalemys albocaudata), gray-tailed narrow-headed rat (Stenocephalemys griseicauda), and black-clawed brush-furred rat (Lophuromys melanonyx).[1]

Protected areas[]

41.26% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas in the ecoregion include Simien Mountains National Park, Bale Mountains National Park, Arsi Mountains National Park, and Chebera Churchura National Park.[2]

External links[]

  • "Ethiopian montane moorlands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
  • Ethiopian montane moorlands (DOPA)

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Ethiopian montane moorlands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
  2. ^ a b "Ethiopian montane moorlands". DOPA Explorer. Accessed 6 March 2021. [1]
  3. ^ Burgess, Neil, Jennifer D’Amico Hales, Emma Underwood (2004). Terrestrial Ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: A Conservation Assessment. Island Press, Washington DC.
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