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Ankarafantsika National Park

12 bytes added, 16:42, 9 February 2012
Ecosystems
Various ecosystems, all very distinct from each other, can be found in Ankarafantsika National Park:
* '''Thick forest on dry sand:''' This type of forest grows on white or red sand in valleys, at lakesides and on slopes. The vegetation on sand has adapted to aridity with special characters, such as semi-deciduous leafs<!--halbimmergrün-->. In this type of forest grow among other plants ''Bosqueia boiviniana'', ''Dalbergia greveana'', ''Zanthoxylon tsihanimposa'', ''Rheedia calicicola'', ''Dypsis sp'' and ''Nervillea sp''.
* '''Swamp forest:''' Located in low grounds or valleys temporarily flooded. This forest is characterised by a dominance of ''Raphia farinifera'', often associated with ferns and other species. The swamp forest is not very diverse in terms of flora, due to soil conditions of the habitat.
* '''Riparian forest:''' This forest is fairly typical along rivers and swamps. Because of the constant humidity, the trees are higher and larger in diameter. As in the swamp forest, floristic diversity is low.
* '''Xerophytic thicket:''' This formation of only small shrub is specific to drier sites. This vegetation type is characterized by the abundance of xerophytic forms. Due to the soil conditions only a very low floristic diversity can be found in this habitat.
* '''Savannah:''' This grassland is dominated by Aristida, Heteropogon, Hyparrhenia and Panicum. Woody species include shrubs and trees.
* '''Permanent lakes:''' They are habitat for rare species and play an economic and ecological function in the region.<br><br>
== Fauna ==