Angola's Grassland: A Natural Wonder

Angola is a large country in southwestern Africa with a diverse landscape, including the arid Atlantic littoral bordering Namibia's Skeleton Coast, a sparsely populated rainforest interior, rugged highlands in the south, the Cabinda exclave in the north, and densely populated towns and cities in the north and north-central river valleys. Angola has four principal natural regions: the arid coastal lowland, stretching from Namibia to Luanda; green hills and mountains, rising inland from the coast into a great escarpment; a large area of high inland plains of dry savanna, called the high plateau; and rainforests in the north and in Cabinda. The country has a tropical climate with distinct rainy and dry seasons and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including unique bird species.

The Angolan highlands, located far from other Afromontane centers of endemism, have distinct biological communities. The Angolan montane forest-grassland ecoregion is located on the inland slopes of the mountain belt that runs parallel to the coast. These slopes are mostly covered with grassland and savanna, with patches of woodland remaining in deep ravines and on higher peaks. The open montane grassland is predominant above 1600 meters elevation, with common fires in the dry season. The ecoregion also includes forest patches above 1800 meters, with a diverse array of flora and fauna.

Angola's landscape and climate vary significantly across the country, from the arid southwest to the rainforest interior and the rugged highlands in the south. The coastal lowlands, rising abruptly to the east, lead to the great central plateau of Africa, which is dominated by miombo woodlands and the high inland plains of dry savanna. The Zambezi and Congo rivers, along with several tributaries, have their sources in Angola, and the country is known for its diverse ecoregions, ranging from arid savannas to montane grasslands and forests.

Angola's grassland ecoregions

Angola is located on the western Atlantic coast of Southern Africa and has a land size of 1,246,700 square kilometres. The country is characterised by a variety of landscapes, including the arid coastal lowland, green hills and mountains, high inland plains of dry savanna, and rainforest in the north and Cabinda.

Angola has four principal natural regions, with grassland ecoregions found in the Angolan montane forest-grassland mosaic and the Angolan scarp savanna and woodlands.

Angolan Montane Forest-Grassland Mosaic

The Angolan montane forest-grassland mosaic ecoregion is located on the inland slopes of the mountain belt that runs parallel to the coast of Angola, 50-100km inland. These inland slopes are mostly covered with grassland and savanna. The woodland once covered a much larger area, but today only patches survive, mainly in deep ravines and on higher peaks in the provinces of Huambo and Cuanza Sul. The area has a wet summer and some mist and rainfall year-round, so water is fairly abundant, although in the dry season it can only be obtained in some places by digging in the sandy riverbeds.

Open montane grassland is the predominant plant community above 1600m elevation. In the dry season, fires are common, and the dry grasses burn and are then renewed. Shrubs include species of Erica, sugarbushes, and Cliffortia, and grasses such as Themeda triandra and species of Tristachya, Hyparrhenia, Festuca, and Monocymbium.

Forest patches occur above 1800m elevation in moist ravines and on high mountain slopes. These forest patches tend to be small, ranging from 1 to 20 hectares, with an irregular tree canopy 8 to 15m high. The predominant tree in these patches is the conifer Podocarpus latifolius.

Angolan Scarp Savanna and Woodlands

The Angolan scarp savanna and woodlands ecoregion is found on the steep coastal escarpment. It includes the transitional belt between the coastal plains and the interior plateaus, which varies in breadth and gradient. The ecoregion is characterised by a mix of grassland, savanna, woodland, and forest.

Other Grassland Ecoregions

In addition to the above, Angola has several other ecoregions with grassland elements, including the Zambezian flooded grasslands, the Zambezian Baikiaea woodlands, the Angolan mopane woodlands, and the Namib savanna woodlands.

Angola's climate

Angola is located on the western coast of Southern Africa. Its climate is tropical, with high humidity and hot temperatures. The country experiences distinct, alternating rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from October to May and is characterised as hot and humid, with average temperatures ranging from 22°C to 23°C. The dry season, known as "Cacimbo", occurs from June to September and is the coolest time of the year, with average temperatures between 18°C and 20°C.

The climate in Angola varies across the country. The north experiences a longer rainy season, lasting from September to April, with seven months of rainfall. In the south, the rainy season begins later, in November, and lasts until February. The dry season is often characterised by heavy morning mist. Total rainfall decreases from north to south and from east to west in Angola, with the northeastern region receiving the most rainfall.

The coastal areas of Angola are relatively arid, particularly south of Benguela, where the climate is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean's cold Benguela Current, which reduces precipitation. The coastal lowland is sparsely watered and somewhat sterile, extending inland for 50 to 160 km. The coast is mostly flat, with occasional low cliffs and bluffs of red sandstone.

Inland from the coast, there is a belt of hills and mountains, with elevations ranging from 910 to 1,830 metres. The central plateau, located behind the hills and mountains, has an altitude ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 metres. The highest point in Angola is Morro de Môco, at 2,620 metres, located in the central highlands.

The Angolan highlands, located in the west-central region of the country, have a unique climate and biodiversity. The mean annual rainfall in this region ranges from 1,200 to 1,600 mm, increasing with elevation. The summer months are the wettest, although precipitation from mists occurs throughout most of the year due to the interaction of the cold Benguela Current and warmer tropical waters offshore. The coolest months are July and August, when sub-zero temperatures are frequently recorded in the mountains. The mean annual temperatures in the highlands range from 17°C to 20°C.

The distinct climate zones and varying elevations across Angola result in diverse natural landscapes, including arid coastal lowlands, green hills and mountains, high inland plateaus of dry savanna, and rainforests in the north.

Angola's wildlife

Angola is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including a variety of flora and fauna. Located on the western Atlantic coast of Southern Africa, Angola is characterised by a coastal lowland, inland mountains, a large plateau, and rainforests in the north and Cabinda regions. The country experiences distinct rainy and dry seasons, with the rainy season lasting longer in the north. The dry season, known as cacimbo, is often marked by heavy morning mist.

The Angolan highlands, located in the west-central region of the country, showcase the Angolan Montane Forest-Grassland ecoregion. This area boasts grassland and savanna, with patches of montane forest found at higher elevations. The predominant tree species in these forests is the yellowwood Padocarpus latifolius, with a canopy height ranging from 8 to 15 meters. The region is also home to unique bird species, such as Boulton's batis, Swierstra's spurfowl, and the Angola cave-chat. Native mammals include the yellow baboon, red-footed squirrel, and the blue duiker.

The grassy savanna around Lobito includes baobab and euphorbia trees, while the northern savanna incorporates miombo woodland and evergreen forest. The southern and central coasts feature the Welwitschia, a primitive conifer. Additionally, Angola is home to a diverse range of amphibians and reptiles, with 117 amphibian and 278 reptile species recorded.

The avifauna of Angola is impressive, with a total of 983 bird species, 14 of which are endemic. The western Angola Endemic Bird Area boasts 14 range-restricted species, including the Gabela bushshrikes and Monteiro's bushshrikes. The lack of ecological protection and the aftermath of the Angolan Civil War have left the wildlife in these regions vulnerable and understudied.

The Huambo, Benguela, and Huíla provinces are home to rare montane forest flora. The Malanje Plateau, located in the north, rarely exceeds 1,000 meters in height. The Zambezi River and several Congo River tributaries originate in Angola, providing essential water sources for the region.

Angola's natural resources

Angola is considered to be one of the richest African nations in terms of natural resources. The country has an array of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, arable land, and diamonds.

Petroleum and Natural Gas

Angola is the second-largest producer of oil in Sub-Saharan Africa, producing about 1.55 million barrels a day. The country has about 9 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and is a member of OPEC. Oil production is largely concentrated off the coast of the Cabinda exclave, although there is also some onshore production near Soyo and Luanda. The quality of the crude oil is generally good, with a low sulfur content.

Natural gas has been found in association with petroleum deposits, but about half of it is burned off, and the rest is injected back into oil wells.

Arable Land

Agriculture is a vital sector in Angola, with close to two-thirds of the population relying on it for their livelihoods. Angola's soils are some of the most fertile in Africa, and its climate is highly conducive to agricultural activities. The main crops grown in the country include coffee, bananas, and cassava.

Diamonds

Diamonds are another critical natural resource in Angola, with widespread alluvial deposits across the northeastern part of the country, including several kimberlite pipe formations. Angola was once the fourth-largest diamond exporter in the world, and efforts are being made to revive the industry.

Other Natural Resources

In addition to these primary resources, Angola also possesses substantial reserves of iron ore, copper, manganese, gold, phosphates, uranium, feldspar, and platinum. The country also has significant forest cover, with the Maiombe forest in Cabinda being a notable example. Angola's fisheries are also an important natural resource, with a long history dating back to the colonial era.

Angola's conservation efforts

Angola is one of the most biodiverse countries in Africa, with a wide array of ecosystems and species. The country has four principal natural regions: the arid coastal lowland, stretching from Namibia to Luanda; green hills and mountains, rising inland from the coast; a large area of high inland plains of dry savanna, called the high plateau (planalto); and rainforests in the north and in Cabinda. The Angolan montane forest-grassland mosaic ecoregion is located on the inland side of the belt of mountains that stand parallel to the coast of Angola, 50-100 km inland.

While Angola has a diverse range of ecosystems and species, conservation has not been a priority for most of its history. The country has faced significant challenges in conserving its natural resources due to conflict, political instability, and a lack of infrastructure. The Angolan Civil War, which lasted from 1974 to 2002, had a devastating impact on the nation's environment. During the war, conservation efforts were abandoned, and poaching, deforestation, and habitat destruction became widespread. However, since the end of the war, both the Angolan government and non-state actors have made efforts to protect the country's ecological well-being.

• Modern Conservation Efforts: Modern conservation efforts in Angola began in 1911 under Portuguese rule when a conservation fund was established using revenue from the sale of hunting licenses. This was followed by the creation of natural parks and game reserves in the 1930s.
• Colonial Government Initiatives: During the early 1970s, the colonial government expanded its conservation efforts, and by the time of Angola's independence in 1975, about 6% of the country's land area was officially protected.
• Post-War Challenges: The outbreak of the civil war led to the abandonment of conservation efforts, rampant poaching, and environmental degradation. Mass urbanization during the war reduced the amount of land used for agriculture. However, after the war, many people returned to their native homes and began farming and ranching on land that was once part of the forest, contributing to deforestation.
• Government Intervention: The Angolan Ministry of Environment has been working to rebuild the country's conservation programs. They are collaborating with the United Nations Environment Programme to rehabilitate coastal and wetland habitats and establish sustainable waste management systems. In 2020, Angola partnered with African Parks, a non-governmental organization, to restore their national parks system.
• Addressing Deforestation: Deforestation has been a significant issue in Angola, particularly due to the expansion of agriculture and the Guinea-Congolian forest system's role in carbon sequestration. The government has faced challenges in balancing the need for agricultural land with the protection of ecosystems.
• Protecting Wildlife: Angola is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including African bush elephants and the giant sable antelope, a national symbol. However, populations of these species have declined due to poaching and habitat loss. The government has made efforts to protect these species, but corruption and a lack of political will have hindered progress.
• International Agreements: Angola is a party to several international environmental agreements, including the Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement, demonstrating its commitment to global conservation efforts.
• Priority Conservation Actions: According to conservation organizations, priority actions for the next decade include establishing protected areas, reducing the need for burning land for agriculture, and implementing reforestation programs.

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