| KwaZulu-Cape coastal forest mosaic | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Map of the KwaZulu-Cape coastal forest mosaic | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Afrotropical |
| Biome | tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests |
| Borders | |
| Geography | |
| Area | 17,870 km2 (6,900 sq mi) |
| Country | South Africa |
| Coordinates | 30°24′S30°32′E / 30.4°S 30.53°E /-30.4; 30.53 |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Critical/endangered |
| Protected | 9% |
TheKwazulu-Cape coastal forest mosaic is asubtropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion ofSouth Africa. It covers an area of 17,800 square kilometers (6,900 sq mi) in South Africa'sEastern Cape andKwaZulu-Natal provinces.[1][2][3][4]
The Kwazulu-Cape coastal forest mosaic occupies the humid coastal strip between theIndian Ocean and the foothills of theDrakensberg mountains. It is part of a strip of moistcoastal forests that extend along Africa's Indian Ocean coast from southernSomalia to South Africa. The northern limit of the ecoregion is at theSt. Lucia estuary inKwaZulu Natal, where the forests transition to theMaputaland coastal forest mosaic. The southern limit is atCape St. Francis, east ofPort Elizabeth in theEastern Cape Province, where the KwaZulu-Cape forests transition to theAlbany thickets.[1][5]
The ecoregion has a seasonally-moist subtropical climate. Rainfall ranges from 1500 mm to 900 mm per year. The northern portion is generally receives more rainfall, typically in the summer months, while the southern portion receives most of its rainfall in the winter months, which is typical of theMediterranean climate region to the west. Rainfall diminishes away from the coast, and the coastal forest mosaic yields to the drierMaputaland-Pondoland bushland and thickets in the Drakensberg foothills, above 300 to 450 meters elevation.[1]
The ecoregion comprises a mosaic of different plant communities, including coastal belt forest, sand forest, dune forest, short, dry forests known as Alexandria forest, grasslands, palm woodlands, and thorn scrublands. Forests are typically made up of evergreen trees, interspersed with dry-season semi-deciduous and deciduous trees.[1]
Approximately 9% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas includeAddo Elephant National Park,Amatikulu Nature Reserve,Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve,East London Coast Nature Reserve,Great Fish River Nature Reserve,Geelkrans Nature Reserve,Hluleka Nature Reserve,Kap River Nature Reserve,Mansfield Game Reserve,Mbumbazi Nature Reserve,Mkhambathi Nature Reserve,Richards Bay Nature Reserve,Sunshine Coast Nature Reserve,Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, andWoody Cape Nature Reserve.[1]
Media related toKwazulu Natal-Cape Coastal Forests Ecoregion at Wikimedia Commons
