| Abstract |
The mopane is a shared ecosystem that sprawls across a vast expanse of land from Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, to South Africa and Namibia. Angola is gifted with a plethora of diverse ecosystems. Among these is a salient ecosystem that is ranked second largest in sub-Saharan Africa only after the Miombo and that is the tropical Mopane ecosystem. These woodlands form a part of the rain catchment for the region and are part of a significant drainage system for the Kunene and Cuvelai rivers. These basins are also rich in fish and crustaceans. It is therefore imperative to protect these ecosystems as they are ecologically rich, have economic value, and have water sheds that are major water sources for the surrounding communities. These woodlands also provide poles for constructing structures, and fuel wood and charcoal, which are both primary sources of energy for cooking and heating for many rural and peri-urban communities. |
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