UTUMI Biodiversity surveys, Tanzania. - Coastal Forests of Kenya ...

Biodiversity studies in Kilwa and Lindi Districts
5. THE STATUS FOR THE COASTAL FORESTS IN KILWA AND LINDI
DISTRICTS
5.1. Introduction
In this chapter the present status of lowland coastal forests in Kilwa and Lindi Districts is
summarised. The summary includes information on the distribution and size of the remaining
lowland forests, the forest types and knowledge about their biological value, human impacts and
conservation status. Information on tree species, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles is
presented when available.
Information on biodiversity and conservation issues was at first obtained from the literature – in
particular Clarke (1995). In addition field visits were carried out to 16 forest areas during
September – December 2001 to supplement the existing data. During these surveys information
was collected on the forest vegetation (primarily the species of trees) and the avifauna. In the
two coastal forests included in the UTUMI project a study of the amphibians and reptiles were
also carried out.
The mapping of lowland forests was based on satellite images that were subsequently verified
through ground visits to key area.
Coastal Forests in Kilwa-Lindi Districts – and overview
Table 1 present the total area of the major land cover classes (including coastal forest and other
vegetations) identified in Kilwa and Lindi Districts. The area calculations of based on data from
the satellite image shown in Map 3. The large segments of coastal forest appear in different
orange and reddish colours (and sometimes in dark green).
Table 2 show the area of the different vegetation classes inside the existing Forest Reserve in
Kilwa and Lindi Districts.
Kilwa District
It is clear that the large forest reserves in Kilwa District (Mahali, Mitarure, Nampekse and
Rungo) has no significant coastal forests and are primarely covered with different types of
woodland. Mbinga, Tomgomba and Kitope have little forest left. Mgarama South and
Mitundumbea still contain small patches of rich coastal forest while the cosatal forests in
Ngarama has a much larger extend. Pindiro also has quite large areas with different types of
coastal forest.
On the northern part of Mitumdumbea Plateau (between Mitundumbea and Mitarure Forest
Reserves is a large area of scrub forest with patches of more developed coastal forest. This is
probably the larges groundwater forest in the Lindi Region. A large area with the same type of
scrub forest also occur on the Mbwalawala Plateau to the north of Pindiro FR.
Lindi
Mtama and Mkangala FRs does not include coastal forest but are entirely covered by woodland.
Similarly, Matapwa FR has no coastal forest but includes only scrub forest. Dimba and Ruawa
FR which were previously undescirbed in botanical terms still include much coastal forest of
different types.
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