Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of <i>Colophospermum mopane</i> in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review
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 tes...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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South African National Biodiversity Institut
2014-11-01
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| Series: | Bothalia: African Biodiversity & Conservation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://abcjournal.org/index.php/abc/article/view/152 |
| _version_ | 1818293900851281920 |
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| author | Rudzani A. Makhado Isaac Mapaure Martin J. Potgieter Wilmien J. Luus-Powell Amani T. Saidi |
| author_facet | Rudzani A. Makhado Isaac Mapaure Martin J. Potgieter Wilmien J. Luus-Powell Amani T. Saidi |
| author_sort | Rudzani A. Makhado |
| collection | DOAJ |
| 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T03:23:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-450bbbf494b74dd284297db1f205e8c7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0006-8241 2311-9284 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T03:23:12Z |
| publishDate | 2014-11-01 |
| publisher | South African National Biodiversity Institut |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bothalia: African Biodiversity & Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-450bbbf494b74dd284297db1f205e8c72022-12-22T00:01:19ZengSouth African National Biodiversity InstitutBothalia: African Biodiversity & Conservation0006-82412311-92842014-11-01441e1e910.4102/abc.v44i1.1521408Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of <i>Colophospermum mopane</i> in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A reviewRudzani A. Makhado0Isaac Mapaure1Martin J. Potgieter2Wilmien J. Luus-Powell3Amani T. Saidi4Department of Biodiversity, University of LimpopoResearch and Publications Office, University of NamibiaDepartment of Biodiversity, University of LimpopoDepartment of Biodiversity, University of LimpopoSouth African Environmental Observation Network, National Research FoundationColophospermum 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.https://abcjournal.org/index.php/abc/article/view/152Colophospermum mopanedistributionclimateedaphicadaptationsouthern Africa |
| spellingShingle | Rudzani A. Makhado Isaac Mapaure Martin J. Potgieter Wilmien J. Luus-Powell Amani T. Saidi Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of <i>Colophospermum mopane</i> in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review Bothalia: African Biodiversity & Conservation Colophospermum mopane distribution climate edaphic adaptation southern Africa |
| title | Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of <i>Colophospermum mopane</i> in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review |
| title_full | Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of <i>Colophospermum mopane</i> in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review |
| title_fullStr | Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of <i>Colophospermum mopane</i> in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of <i>Colophospermum mopane</i> in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review |
| title_short | Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of <i>Colophospermum mopane</i> in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review |
| title_sort | factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of i colophospermum mopane i in southern africa s mopane savannas a review |
| topic | Colophospermum mopane distribution climate edaphic adaptation southern Africa |
| url | https://abcjournal.org/index.php/abc/article/view/152 |
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