Equatorial Africa
The African equatorial mountains represent an archipelago of isolated alpine islands
interrupted by savanna. The treelines are commonly depressed by natural and man made fires.
The natural climatic (thermal) treeline would be at 3800-3900 m elevation formed in large
by
Erica.
The afro-alpine vegetation above is a mix of low stature shrubland, tussock grasses and herb
fields. Species richness in the Alpine is comparatively low, but given the restricted area,
still impressive. Examples are shown for the periodically dry Kilimanjaro and for the ever-wet
Ruwenzori.
1 -
The snow cap of Kilimanjaro, close to its disappearance as seen in August 2002 from the
southern moorlands.
1 -
The snow cap of Kilimanjaro, close to its disappearance as seen in August 2002 from the
southern moorlands.
2 -
A giant rosette:
Lobelia deckenii
(Campanulaceae) at 3200 m in the fragmented montane forest on moorland. Note its small
relative in
Venezuela.
4 -
Erica
(Ericaceae) woodland regenerating from fire at 3600 m. Note the massive old trunks.
6 -
Protea caffra ssp. kilimandscharica
(Proteaceae).
6 -
Protea caffra ssp. kilimandscharica
(Proteaceae).
7 -
Lobelia sp.
(Campanulaceae) in
Alchemilla af. subnivalis
(Rosaceae) shrubland (Mubuku Valley, Ruwenzori, 3500 m).
7 -
Lobelia sp.
(Campanulaceae) in
Alchemilla af. subnivalis
(Rosaceae) shrubland (Mubuku Valley, Ruwenzori, 3500 m).
8 -
Helichrysum sp.
(Asteraceae) dominates the world above the treeline.
8 -
Helichrysum sp.
(Asteraceae) dominates the world above the treeline.
9 -
Euryops dacrydioides
(Asteraceae)
9 -
Euryops dacrydioides
(Asteraceae)
10 -
Helichrysum odoratissimum
(Asteraceae)
10 -
Helichrysum odoratissimum
(Asteraceae)
11 -
Helichrysum newii
(Asteraceae)
11 -
Helichrysum newii
(Asteraceae)