Conservation planning in Maputaland

Site description

The Maputaland centre of endemism consists of the Lubombo Mountain range and the coastal plain that lies to the east. The latter forms the most southerly part of the East African coastal plain, which stretches as far north as Somalia, and many species reach their southernmost limit in Maputaland.

The region also contains many endemic species that evolved to occupy the niches created by the geologically recent formation of the coastal plain. In addition, the well-defined climatic and geological conditions have produced a series of distinctive ecological zones and these further add to the diversity of the region. The region forms part of Conservation International's Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot.

Conservation in Maputaland

Conservation in Maputaland is the responsibility of the Department of Tourism in Mozambique, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in South Africa and the National Trust Commission in Swaziland. The region contains a number of protected areas, including the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (GSLWP). This was recently given World Heritage Site status and will be run by the GSLWP Authority, with input from KZN Wildlife. The region also contains a number of privately owned conservation areas, which include Phinda Game Reserve and a range of game reserves and ranches.

In addition, the region is the focus of several transboundary initiatives that aim to join existing protected areas in all three of the Maputaland range states. These projects are part of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area initiative.

Click here to see a list of publications about Maputaland