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Date
1997
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The ephemeral wetland system of central northern Namibia consists of the Etosha Pan, Lake Oponono and the Cuvelai inland delta/drainage. This is by far the largest wetland system in Namibia, covering some 30,000km2. The area can be subdivided into several distinct habitats, each with its distinguishing biodiversity. The Cuvelai drainage system is characterized by open, grassy drainage channels known as 'oshanas'. These are lined by the palm Hyphaene ventricosa and Colophospermum mopane trees dominate between the water courses. Adjoining to the south of this are the seasonally flooded grasslands on saline soils. Here the 'oshanas' converge into Lake Oponono via the Omuramba Etaka. Dominant grasses are Odyssea paucinervis, Sporobolus spicata and S. salsus, Panicum lanipes, Monelytrum luederitzianum and Eragrostris spp. To the south of this is the Etosha Pans complex which can be classified as saline desert. In years of above average rainfall, Lake Oponono drains into the Ekuma River which in turn flows into the Etosha Pan. Floodwaters can also reach Etosha via Fischer's Pan to the east, which gets its water from the Omathiya and Owambo Omiramba. The fringes of the pan are lined by sweet grassveld and Combretum/Terminalia/Acacia woodland.Collections