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The Ethiopian Highlands form one of the few mountainous regions of Africa. It is a center of endemism for many plant and animal groups. Within this region lie the Ethiopian Montane Grassland and the Woodland Ethiopian Montane Shrubland. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Ethiopian montane moorlands; Ethiopian montane grasslands and woodlands When some of the volcanoes in northeastern Africa became extinct ages ago, they left something remarkable behind. Their legacy was enough lava to form a vast plateau of tall peaks, rich valleys, and hot desert known as the Ethiopian Highlands. This diverse environment houses an impressive array of plant and animal species that are specially adapted to life in a very sunny, relatively dry climate. There are at least 30 bird species, 20 mammals, 13 amphibians, and many plants that can be found only in this region.
Traveling through the Ethiopian Highlands is no easy feat: Steep cliffs plunge down to coastal river plains, which give way to desert hundreds of feet below sea level. Active volcanoes, hot springs, and salt flats can be found throughout the Danakil Desert in the north, while in the south, Lake Tana provides clear, fresh water to the Blue Nile (the largest branch of the Nile River). And Ras Dashan Mountain, at 15,000 feet (4,600 m), is the fourth-highest point in Africa. Because the highlands are isolated from other parts of Africa, the plants and animals in this area have had little contact with populations elsewhere. As a result, many endemic species have evolved here. The highlands also contain a unique mixture of palearctic and afrotropical species. This ecoregion has the largest area of land in Africa lying at an altitude of over 6,561 feet (2,000 m).
Among the Highlands' rocks, sand, and shrubs, spiny-tailed lizards and Affinis chameleons sun themselves and search for insects. Groups of endemic gelada baboons take advantage of varied vegetation to feed on flowers, seeds, leaves, and fruit. Hoofed Walia ibexes and mountain nyala graze among thick heather, spiky grass, and other plants that also provide cover and food for rodents. Small populations of ravens and lovebirds nest in shrubs. Stealthy and elusive, the red Simien fox (sometimes called a wolf) lives in packs but hunts alone for small rodents.
Much of the Ethiopian Highlands seems remote, but population growth, poverty, and frequent droughts throughout Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan have led people to move into previously uninhabited areas. Goats and cattle have overgrazed the grasslands, and humans have cleared trees and vegetation for agriculture. Both of these activities have had major consequences. Decades of civil war in areas of northeastern Africa have also forced people to migrate, which has taken a toll on the natural environment.
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