Miombo woodland is atropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublandsbiome (in theWorld Wide Fund for Nature scheme) located in central and southern tropical Africa. It includes three woodlandsavanna ecoregions (listed below) characterized by the dominant presence ofBrachystegia andJulbernardia genera of trees, and has a range of climates ranging from humid to semi-arid, and tropical to subtropical or even temperate.[1] The trees characteristically shed their leaves for a short period in thedry season to reduce water loss and produce a flush of new leaves just before the onset of thewet season with rich gold and red colours masking the underlyingchlorophyll, reminiscent ofautumn colours in the temperate zone.
Miombo woodlands extend across south-central Africa, running fromAngola in the west toTanzania in the east, including parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. They are bounded on the north by the humidCongolian forests, on the northeast byAcacia–Commiphora bushland, and on the south by semi-arid woodlands, grasslands, and savannas.[2]
The woodland gets its name frommiombo (plural, singularmuombo), theBemba word forBrachystegia species. OtherBantu languages of the region, such asSwahili andShona, have related if not identical words, such as Swahilimiyombo (singularmyombo). These woodlands are dominated by trees of subfamilyDetarioideae, particularly miombo (Brachystegia),Julbernardia andIsoberlinia, which are rarely found outside miombo woodlands.[2]
Miombo woodlands can be classified as dry or wet based on the per annum amount and distribution of rainfall.[3] Dry woodlands occur in those areas receiving less than 1000 mm annual rainfall, mostly in Zimbabwe, central Tanzania, eastern and southern Mozambique, Malawi, and southern Zambia. Wet woodlands are those receiving more than 1000 mm annual rainfall, mainly located in northern Zambia, eastern Angola, central Malawi, and western Tanzania. Wet miombo generally has a taller canopy (15 metres or more), more tree cover (60% or more ground cover), and greater species diversity than dry miombo.[2]
Three ecoregions are currently recognized.[4]
Despite the relatively nutrient-poor soil, long dry season, and low rainfall in some areas, the woodland is home to many species, including severalendemic bird species. The predominant tree is miombo (Brachystegia spp.). It also provides food and cover for mammals such as theAfrican elephant (Loxodonta africana),African wild dog (Lycaon pictus),sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) andLichtenstein's hartebeest (Sigmoceros lichtensteinii).[6]
The miombo woodlands are important to the livelihoods of many rural people who depend on the resources available from the woodland. The wide variety of species provides non-timber products such as fruits, honey, mushrooms, fodder for livestock and fuelwood to various different largelyBantu peoples such as theBemba people,Lozi people,Yao people,Luvale people,Shona people, andLuba people.
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