Biodiversity & Ecology

Journal of the Division Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology of Plants , Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, University of Hamburg.

Forest resources Overview article Open Access

Woodland resources and management in southern Africa

Vera De Cauwer*, Nichola Knox, Rosemary Kobue-Lekalake, Joyce P. Lepetu, Matenanga Ompelege, Sasha Naidoo, Amber Nott, David Parduhn, Priscilla Sichone, Seoleseng Tshwenyane, Yeboah Elizabeth, Rasmus Revermann

Article first published online: 24 April 2018

DOI: 10.7809/b-e.00337

*Corresponding author contact: vdecauwer@nust.na

<< Volume 6

Biodiversity & Ecology (Biodivers. Ecol.)

Climate change and adaptive land management in southern Africa - assessments, changes, challenges, and solutions,
edited by Rasmus Revermann, Kristin M. Krewenka, Ute Schmiedel, Jane M. Olwoch, Jörg Helmschrot & Norbert Jürgens

Volume 6, pages 296-308, April 2018

PDF (3.8 MB)

English

Abstract: The countries of southern Africa have an average forest cover of 32% with most forest situated in the tropics. These dry to moist forests are deciduous with a few evergreen species. The open canopy allows enough light to reach the ground to allow the development of a rich grass layer. Generally, these forests are referred to as woodlands. The article gives an overview of the Miombo, Baikiaea and Mopane woodlands of Angola, Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana and focuses on their composition, wood and non-wood resources. Plantation forestry is briefl y discussed with most information from South Africa, which has the largest commercial forestry sector in the region. Threats to the southern African woodlands are highlighted, and the current status of woodland monitoring and management is summarised.

Portuguese

Resumo: Os países da África Austral têm uma cobertura fl orestal média de 32%, com a maioria das fl orestas situadas nos trópicos. Estas fl orestas secas ou húmidas são decíduas, com algumas espécies de folha perene. A copa aberta permite que luz sufi ciente chegue ao solo para permitir o desenvolvimento de uma camada rica de herbáceas. No geral, estas fl orestas são referidas como matas. O artigo apresenta uma visão geral das matas de Miombo, Baikiaea e Mopane de Angola, Zâmbia, Namíbia e Botswana, concentrando-se na sua composição e recursos lenhosos e não-lenhosos. A plantação fl orestal é brevemente discutida, com a maior parte da informação proveniente da África do Sul, a qual tem a maior indústria comercial de exploração fl orestal na região. São destacadas as ameaças às matas da África Austral e é resumido o estado actual de monitorização e gestão das matas.

Suggested citation:
De Cauwer, V., Knox, N., Kobue-Lekalake, R., Lepetu, J.P., Ompelege, M., Naidoo, S., Nott, A., Parduhn, D., Sichone, P., Tshwenyane, S., Yeboah, E. & Revermann, R. (2018) Woodland resources and management in southern Africa In: Climate change and adaptive land management in southern Africa – assessments, changes, challenges, and solutions (ed. by Revermann, R., Krewenka, K.M., Schmiedel, U., Olwoch, J.M., Helmschrot, J. & Jürgens, N.), pp. 296-308, Biodiversity & Ecology, 6, Klaus Hess Publishers, Göttingen & Windhoek. doi:10.7809/b-e.00337