Ecosystems of Malawi

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. Despite being surrounded by land on all sides, the country offers great diversity in the types of ecosystems present. This former British colony is densely populated, relying primarily on agriculture to drive its economy, which means that many of Malawi's ecosystems are under development pressure. Its forested lands are quickly disappearing.

Grasslands and Savanna

• Grasslands are the predominant ecosystem type found in Malawi, according to figures posted on the website Earth Trends. Grasslands and savanna ecosystems---grasslands with scattered trees---represented by Nyika National Park, Malawi's largest protected area, are found in north Malawi, according to Malawi Tourism. The lower mountain belt provides habitat for several species of herbivores, or plant-eating animals, including the eland and zebra. The rich plant diversity allows for specialization among its wildlife, so that the grasslands can support a large variety of herbivores, each species preferring different plants and areas within grasslands.

Shrublands

• Shrublands are characterized as grasslands scattered with small shrubs and other woody vegetation as defined by Smith in the book "Ecology and Field Biology." Shrubs have an advantage in the hot Malawi climate in that their extensive root systems provide them with the capacity to store water. The arid conditions cause the plants of shrublands to evolve into desertlike plants. The dry conditions make these areas vulnerable to fire; the shrubs' deep roots allow them to survive following wildfires.

Forests

• Forested areas include the miombo woodlands, found in central Africa, according the World Wildlife Fund. The name, miombo, refers to a type of tree found in this ecosystem. Several bird species rely on this tree for food and habitat. The tree also provides cover for several mammal species, including the African elephant and the African wild dog. Other forest types include mixed forest and isolated pockets of rainforest.

Wetlands and Aquatic Resources

• Several wetland types are present in Malawi. The marsh wetlands in north Malawi are dominated by herbaceous vegetation. Hippos are often associated with this ecosystem. Lake Malawi, located in southern Malawi, is one of the most striking of aquatic resources. The lake forms a large portion of the country's eastern border. It is the third-largest lake on the African continent. Its alkaline waters provide habitat for the largest population of a group of fish called cichlids, according to the website Cichlid Fish of Lake Malawi.

Great Rift Valley

• The Great Rift Valley is a continuous geographic trench that runs north and south through Malawi. The trench formed from the shifting tectonic plates found in this area. These mountainous regions tend to be cooler than the lowland regions. Because the cliffs virtually cut off the lakes of the area from the sea, many of these lakes, including Lake Malawi, are fed only by surface water, creating alkaline waters and soil conditions.