Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of Colophospermum mopane in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review
Bothalia - African Biodiversity & Conservation
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of Colophospermum mopane in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review | |
| Creator | Makhado, Rudzani A. Mapaure, Isaac Potgieter, Martin J. Luus-Powell, Wilmien J. Saidi, Amani T. | |
| Description | Colophospermum mopane is the dominant tree or shrub within mopane woodland in the subtropical areas of southern Africa’s savanna ecosystems. This article provided a review on the adaptation capabilities of mopane against fire, browsing activity and environmental stresses. It further reviewed and tested the extent to which rainfall, temperature, altitude and soil types had an effect on the distribution of mopane in southern Africa. Mopane is adapted to survive moisture stresses, low nutrient environments and even disturbances caused by fire and browsing by large herbivores through its physical, physiological and chemical responses. Adaptation of mopane to various stresses enables it to dominate the low-lying areas of southern Africa’s savannas. The distribution of mopane is best associated with low to moderate rainfall (R2 = 0.38), high temperature (R2 = 0.42), low altitudes (R2 = 0.44) and a variety of soil types. An increase in the annual rainfall ( 800 mm) and altitude ( 800 m.a.s.l.), coupled with a reduction in the minimum temperature and acidic soil, limits the distribution of mopane. Mopane in South Africa occurs under similar environmental conditions to those in Zimbabwe and Zambia, but quite different from those in Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi and Botswana where mopane occurs. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2014-11-12 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/abc.v44i1.152 | |
| Source | Bothalia; Vol 44, No 1 (2014); 9 pages 2311-9284 0006-8241 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://journals.abcjournal.aosis.co.za/index.php/abc/article/view/152/1431
https://journals.abcjournal.aosis.co.za/index.php/abc/article/view/152/1436
https://journals.abcjournal.aosis.co.za/index.php/abc/article/view/152/1437
https://journals.abcjournal.aosis.co.za/index.php/abc/article/view/152/634
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