Biodiversity Studies in Key Species from the African Mopane and Miombo Woodlands

Abstract

The Southern African Miombo-Mopane woodlands are globally considered as ecosystems with irreplaceable species endemism, being the most important type of vegetation in the region. Among the approximately 8500 plant species, legume trees play a crucial role in biodiversity dynamics, being also key socioeconomic and environmental players. From the ecological point of view, they contribute signiicantly to ecosystem's stability as well as to water, carbon, and energy balance. Additionally, legume species represent an immensurable source of timber and nontimber products. Research in Miombo-Mopane biodiversity has been mainly focused on the analysis of ecosystem drivers by means of ecological parameters and models, lacking interdisciplinary with relevant cross-cuting tools, such as the application of molecular markers to assess genetic diversity within the region. In this chapter, the applications and biodiversity dynamics of typical legume species from Miombo (Brachystegia spp., Julbernardia globilora, and Pterocarpus angolensis) and Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) are reviewed. Gaps and challenges are also brought forward in the context of the lack of genetic diversity assessments and the need of an efective and coordinated network of interdisciplinary research.

Conservation and sustainable use of the medicinal Leguminosae plants from Angola

“…occurs only in the southern provinces of Angola, mainly in the Mopane woodlands (Makhado et al , 2014; Duvane et al, 2017). On the other hand, Brachystegia spiciformis, Burkea africana, Julbernardia paniculata and Pterocarpus angolensis are widespread in savannas and Miombo woodlands (Moura et al, 2017). However, several of these tree species are overexploited and are being cut down on a large scale because they are widely used for charcoal production and much valued as timber for furniture and construction, fetching high prices in international markets (Romeiras et al., 2014).…”

Mining the Microbiome of Key Species from African Savanna Woodlands: Potential for Soil Health Improvement and Plant Growth Promotion

“…Africa constitutes a wealth of global biodiversity distributed over a wide range of different ecosystems [ 10 ]. Among them, the Mopane woodlands are considered the second most important ecoregion of Sub-Saharan Africa due to its ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic value [ 11 , 12 ], covering approximately 555,000 km 2 distributed across northern Namibia, southern Angola, central Malawi, central and southern Mozambique, northern South Africa, and throughout Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia [ 13 , 14 ]. This ecosystem is usually characterized by the dominance of monospecific stands of the legume tree Colosphospermum mopane (J.Kirk ex Benth.…”

The Potential of Tree and Shrub Legumes in Agroforestry Systems

“…wood, food, medicines, energy and housing) to millions of rural and urban dwellers ( Table 2 and Figure 1) [25,26]. The interest on this group of legumes has increased tremendously in the last decades, particularly regarding soil erosion control [27,28] and farming systems (e.g. windbreaks, shade trees, nitrogen fertilizers, forage, fruits and vegetables) [29][30][31][32].…”