Chimanimani National Park, Zimbabwe Photograph by Miranda Mockrin   Zimbabwe, Mozambique Montane Grasslands and Shrublands   3,000 square miles (7,800 square kilometers) -- about the size of Delaware and Rhode Island combined Critical/Endangered

· Touched by Fire
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Touched by Fire

Although fire can be a destructive force, it also can be essential to the growth and regeneration of forests and grasslands. Such is the case here in the mountains of eastern Zimbabwe, where fire has helped maintain the ample grasslands that form part of this ecoregion.

Special Features

Known locally as the Eastern Highlands, this mix of forests and grasslands forms a link in the long chain of mountains in eastern Africa. This ecoregion is wetter than surrounding areas, with higher rainfall, lower cloud cover, and heavier dew. In the hot season from August until November, fires are frequent in the high-elevation grasslands. Certain woodland areas are more resistant to fire. At lower elevations, the moist evergreen rain forest is usually in deep shade, with nearly every branch draped with epiphytes—plants that grow on other plants. Scattered throughout the ecoregion are portions of miombo woodlands composed of fairly small trees that usually reach between 9 and 19 feet (3 to 6 m) in height. Elsewhere, in areas of high rainfall, semi-evergreen tree savanna can be found, with evergreen trees that can grow to nearly 50 feet (15 m) tall. In isolated areas above 3,930 feet (1,200 m), a low, shrubby heath landscape dominates.

	Resembling a small dead leaf, Marshall's African leaf chameleon is well camouflaged in the forest undergrowth.

Wild Side

High in the forest canopy of this ecoregion you might hear creatures moving around noisily as they forage for food. Chances are they are tree-dwelling Samango monkeys, one of several interesting mammal species found here. Others include tree civets, sun squirrels, red squirrels, and fruit bats. Two mammals—the Selinda rat and Arend’s golden mole—are near-endemics and are rarely seen anywhere else. Among mammal species, the leopard is one of the fiercest predators found here. The forest cobra is found here, also—it is the largest of the African cobras, reaching up to 8.8 ft (2.7 m) in length. Reptiles and amphibians may be hard to see because of their small size, swiftness, or ability to camouflage themselves. Species include the many-spotted snake, puff adder, herald snake, tree agama, South Rhodesia screeching frog, and Zimbabwe big-fingered frog. Resident bird species include Swynnerton’s forest robin, Roberts’ prinia, and Chirinda apalis.

Cause for Concern

Fires and tree cutting for fuel are the main threats to these montane forests. The conversion of natural habitat to agriculture is also a growing problem, especially in the lowlands. For the time being, high-altitude montane forests, grasslands, and heathlands are relatively well protected, but as land is lost at lower elevations, agricultural lands are encroaching higher into these areas.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.