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

Biodiversity studies in Kilwa and Lindi Districts
Bushbuck Syncerus caffer
African Buffalo Syncerus caffer
Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta
Lion Panthera leo
Leopard Panthera pardus
African Wild Cat Felis sylvestris
African Elephant Loxodonta africana
Suni Neotragus moschatus
Human impact
In the area west of the Ngarama South reserve boundary to Kikundi village and beyond
extensive clearing of the public woodland has taken place in the last few years (Eriksen et al.
1994). Many people from Kiranjeranje and Makangaga Ujamaa villages have moved into this
area, sometimes returning to the areas where they originally lived (Eriksen et al. 1994).
In 1993 logging and pit-sawing of Mvule was observed in the Riverine Forest at Kihimbwi
River. There were also indications of illegal hunting inside the reserve and snares for birds and
small mammals were observed.
In 2001 it was observed that poaching takes place at two settlements between Ngarama North
and Pindiro FR. Snares for large mammals were also observed in this area.
In the high forest in the north-western part of Ngarama North FR extensive selective cutting of
trees appear to take place.
Protected areas
Ngarama North Forest Reserve covers the central parts of the Ruwawa Plateau while its
southern extension Ngarama South Forest Reserve include part of the southern portion of the
plateau.
Biodiversity value
Surprisingly little is known about the fauna of Ruwawa Plateau. So far only the bird fauna has
been studies in some detail. A number of Forest Dependent species typical for the coastal
forests of southeastern Tanzania have been recorded from forest patches in both the northern,
central and southern part of the plateau. The avifauna also includes some restricted range
species, near threatened or coastal forest endemics. Small numbers of Green Barbet has been
recorded from forest patches in the northern, central and southern of the plateau. This
population belongs to a subspecies endemic to Ruwawa and Rondo plateaux.
The trees Baphia cf. keniensis and Leptactina cf. oxyloba which were collected Ngarama North
FR in autumn 2001 may represent new plant species endemic to the Ruwawa plateau. Other
biological important species of trees are: Guibortia schliebenii, Peleopsis apetala and Vismia
pauciflora which are Lindi area endemic and Diospyros shimbaensis-endemic to coastal forests
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