Southern Rift montane forest-grassland mosaic


The South Malawi montane forest-grassland mosaic is a montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregion of Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.
The ecoregion encompasses several high mountains and plateaus north and east of Lake Malawi.

Climate

The ecoregion has a tropical highlands climate, generally cooler and more humid than the surrounding lowlands. Most rainfall occurs during the November to April wet season. Most rain comes from convectional thunderstorms originating over Lake Malawi.

Flora

The predominant plant communities include montane grasslands, shrublands, and evergreen forests.

Fauna

Near-endemic mammals include the Black and red bush squirrel ', Swynnerton's bush squirrel ', Greater hamster-rat ', Grant's bushbaby ', Desperate shrew ', and Tanzanian vlei rat '
The Rungwe dwarf galago, a newly-identified species in genus Galagoides, is found on Mount Rungwe and nearby in the Poroto Mountains and Kipengere Range in Tanzania. It inhabits montane evergreen and bamboo forests. Specimens were first collected in the 1930s, but were identified as different species. A formal description of the species is presently being made.

Protected areas

Protected areas in the ecoregion include: