Karkloof Forest Explained

The Karkloof Forest is situated in the Karkloof Nature Reserve, 22 km north of Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

This is a large (936ha) mistbelt forest containing yellowwoods (Afrocarpus falcatus, Podocarpus latifolius and Podocarpus henkelii) and stinkwood (Ocotea bullata).^[1]

Wildlife includes Samango monkey, blue duiker and bushbuck. Crowned eagles (Stephanoaetus coronatus) breed here,^[2] and the endangered Cape parrot (Poicephalus robustus robustus) occurs here.

Endemics to the area include a subspecies of crested guineafowl (Guttera edouardi symonsi),^[3] and a dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion sp.) which is related to the Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon and the black-headed dwarf chameleon.

Other animals found here include Knysna turaco (Tauraco corythaix), forest canary (Crithagra scotops), white-starred robin (Pogonocichla stellata), orange ground thrush (Zoothera gurneyi), red-throated wryneck (Jynx ruficollis), golden-tailed woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) and martial eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus).^[4]

See also

• Forests of KwaZulu-Natal

References

1. Wirminghaus. J. O.. 1990-10-17. A checklist of the plants of the Karkloof Forest, Natal midlands. Bothalia. 20. 2. 159–165. 10.4102/abc.v20i2.910. 2311-9284. free.
2. Web site: BIRP Site summary Karkloof N.R. (SA074) . birp.adu.org.za . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101205144510/http://birp.adu.org.za/site_summary.php?site=29243016 . 2010-12-05.
3. M. J. Lawes, S. Fly & S. E. Piper, (2005). Gamebird vulnerability to forest fragmentation: patch occupancy of the crested guineafowl (Guttera edouardi) in Afromontane forests.
4. Web site: BIRP Site summary Karkloof N.R. (SA074) . birp.adu.org.za . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101205144510/http://birp.adu.org.za/site_summary.php?site=29243016 . 2010-12-05.

Bibliography

• Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. .
• Tolley, K. and Burger, M. 2007. Chameleons of Southern Africa. .

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