Zambezi River Basin

The Zambezi teak forests, shared by five of

the Zambezi basin countries, and the Miombo

woodlands are examples of transboundary

ecosystems in the basin (SADC and SARDC 2008).

Teak forests are found in the western parts of

Zimbabwe and Zambia, extending into northern

Botswana, northeastern Namibia and parts of

southeastern Angola. The dominant tree species

is the Zambezi redwood (

Baikeaea plurijuga

) and

is usually found in association with Bloodwood

teak (

Pterocarpus angolensis

). Msasa (

Brachystegia

spiciformis

) is the other dominant species.

Wet Miombo woodlands form the most extensive

woody vegetation type, and cover much of

Zambia, and parts of Angola, Malawi and

Tanzania (Kwesha 2008). Common tree species

include the Munondo (

Juibernardia

species),

Msasa and Pod Mahogany (

Alfzelia quanzensis

As most of the Miombo woodlands have been

converted into intensive agricultural areas, it is

now difficult to find pristine woodlands.

Waterhole landscape in Zambezi National Park in Zambia.

The only rainforest in the Zambezi River Basin is found at Victoria Falls

where it is watered with the spray from the Falls.

Miombo woodlands are dominated by

Brachystegia

species.

Ecosystems