Tanzania
  • Home
  • Getting There
  • When To Go
  • Hotels & Lodges
  • Safari Companies
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Ngorongoro Vegetation Cover

June 7, 2013

ngorongoro greenThe variations in climate, landforms and altitude have resulted in several overlapping ecosystems and distinct habitats. Within Tanzania the area is important for retaining uncultivated lowland vegetation, for the arid and semi-arid plant communities below 1,300 m, for its abundant short grass grazing and for the water catchment highland forests. Scrub heath, montane long grasslands, high open moorland and the remains of dense evergreen montane forests cover the steep slopes. Highland trees include peacock flower Albizzia gummifera, yellowwood Podocarpus latifolia, Hagenia abyssinica and sweet olive Olea chrysophylla. There is an extensive stand of pure bamboo Arundinaria alpina on Oldeani Mountain and pencil cedar Juniperus procera on Makarut Mountain in the west. The upland woodlands containing red thorn Acacia lahai and gum acacia.

The crater floor is mainly open shortgrass plains with fresh and brackish water lakes, marshes, swamps and two patches of Acacia woodland: Lerai Forest, with co dominants yellow fever tree Acacia xanthophloea and Rauvolfia caffra; and Laiyanai Forest with pillar wood Cassipourea malosana, Albizzia gummifera, and Acacia lahai. The undulating plains to the west are grass-covered with occasional umbrella acacia Acacia tortilis and Commiphora africana trees, which become almost desert during periods of severe drought. Blackthorn Acacia mellifera and zebrawood Dalbergia melanoxylon dominate in the drier conditions beside Lake Eyasi. These extensive grasslands and bush are rich, relatively untouched by cultivation, and support very large animal populations.

Related Articles

Ngorongoro Tour Operators, Tanzania Safari Companies to Ngorongoro

June 7, 2013

Wildlife Animals in Ngorongoro, What To See On Safari

June 7, 2013

Ngorongoro Masai

June 7, 2013

Recent Posts

  • Rwanda Gorilla Safaris Africa
  • List of hitches to Tanzania Tourism Development
  • Hunters’ Need for Elephant Trophies Mustn’t Take Priority over Government Obligation
  • Serengeti Wildlife to get water from Lake Victoria as climate change merges
  • More Americans include Tanzania on their ‘bucket list’
  • Why Visit the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Tanzania
  • Tanzania Hospitality plus Tourism Sector needs International Incorporation
  • Duke of England Joins East Anglian Air Ambulance
  • Zanzibar Promises to Guarantee Tourist Safety
  • Cultural Tourism in Tanzania
  • Tanzania’s Amazing Ngorongoro Conservation Area
  • Tanzania Operators Blame Government for Wildlife Troubles
  • Maasai advice Tanzania to stop more investments in the Ngorongoro Area
  • Tanzania Government asked to save the Legendary Ngorongoro Crater
  • Ngorongoro Board of Directors chaired by Former Tanzanian Amb. to US
  • Exploring the last African Garden of Eden – The Ngorongoro Crater
  • Tanzania and China to strengthen development Ties
  • Explore the Ngorongoro Crater called the 8th Wonder of the World
  • Kensington Endoro
  • The Octagon Safari Lodge
  • Crater Forest Tented Camp
  • Kuhama Camp
  • Mysigio Camp Ngorongoro
  • Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge
  • Tloma Mountain Lodge
  • Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp
  • Exploreans Ngorongoro Lodge
  • Gibb’s Farm
  • Ngorongoro Farm House
  • Plantation Lodge Ngorongoro
  • The Manor at Ngorongoro
  • Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
  • Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
  • Lemala Ndutu Ngorongoro
  • Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge
  • Masek Tented Camp, Ngorongoro Accommodation
  • Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp , Ngorongoro
  • Mount Makarot
  • Empakaai Crater
  • Ngorongoro Masai
  • How to Get There, Ngorongoro Crater
  • Ngorongoro Crater Hotels and Safari Accommodation
  • Ngorongoro Tour Operators, Tanzania Safari Companies to Ngorongoro
  • Ngorongoro History
  • Ngorongoro Vegetation Cover
  • Wildlife Animals in Ngorongoro, What To See On Safari
  • When to Visit Ngorongoro, Weather and Climate