Diversity and endemism of geoxylic plants on the Angolan Planalto

Authors

  • P Meller Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • F Lages Instituto Superior Politécnico Tundavala, Lubango, Angola
  • M Finckh Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • AL Gomes Faculty of Sciences, Agostinho Neto University, Luanda, Angola
  • D Goyder Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64640/6zhksg12

Keywords:

Angola, Angolan Planalto, diversity, endemism, geoxyles, highlands, suffrutices

Abstract

The Angolan Planalto and adjacent areas are characterised by flammable grassy ecosystems. Within these old-growth grasslands, geoxyles are a dominant component and play a key role in the functioning, diversity and beauty of these ecosystems. Geoxyles are a plant life form characterised by having low aboveground biomass and massive belowground wooden structures from which they can draw stored reserves and resprout quickly after disturbances such as fire. The Angolan Planalto has a high number of geoxyle taxa of which many are endemic to the area. We give an overview of the number of geoxyle taxa in these highlands based on a compilation of all available data, discuss reasons for this remarkable diversity, and point out research and conservation priorities for this important life form that is threatened by upcoming land-use changes.

Monograph on endemism in the highlands and escarpments of Angola and Namibia

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Published

2023-12-16

Issue

Vol. 8 (2023): Mendelsohn JM, Huntley BJ, Vaz Pinto P (eds). Monograph on endemism in the highlands and escarpments of Angola and Namibia. Namibian Journal of Environment

Section

Diversity and endemism

License

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Articles in this journal are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. The copyright of all articles and field notes belongs to the authors. All other copyright is held by the journal.