3. SAND FOREST

Synonyms:

Typical Coast Belt Forest (Al a), Zululand Palm Forest (Al b).

Statistics:

354 km²; ± 45% transformed; 44.62% conserved.

Locality & Physical Geography:

This is confined to the tropical and subtropical coastal belt of KwaZulu-Natal as far south as Port Shepstone, although some elements may reach the Great Kei River. It is only extensive in the north-east of KwaZulu-Natal.

Climate:

Hot tropical with summer rainfall.

Geology & Soil:

Usually found on sandy substrates.

Vegetation:

Sand Forest is distinctive in the preponderance of deciduous to semi-deciduous elements, especially in the canopy. They form dense, almost impenetrable stands, up to 25 m tall. Lianas, palms and Natal Wild Banana Strelitzia nicolai are abundant. Characteristic species include Bastard Tamboti Cleistanthus schlechteri, Sand Canaryberry Suregada zanzibariensis, Green Apple Monodora junodii, Salacia leptoclada, Croton pseudopulchelia, Newtonia hildebrandtii, Cadaba natalensis and Canthium setiflorum.

Key Environmental Parameters:

The tropical climate could explain the differences in structure and species composition between this and the other forest types. Species diversity declines southwards, as the number of more tropical elements decreases.

Economic Uses:

Mainly cleared for firewood and grazing.

Conservation Status:

About half of the forests have been destroyed, but some substantial stands occur in nature reserves. The Dukuduku forest, Ndumu and Mkuze Game Reserves, Sodwana State Forest and Tembe Elephant Park contain examples of Sand Forest.

Key Reference:

MacDevette etal (1989).

Author:

Bruce McKenzie.