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

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Biodiversity studies in Kilwa and Lindi Districts Small pockets of coastal forest still exist in other parts of Lindi District but they are all less than two square kilometres in size and many will probably be cleared in the near future. This study sadly revealed that on Likonde and Maputwa Plateaus coastal forests no longer occur. ________________ Below the major forests on the separate plateaus and hills are described. It consists of the areas that were identified from the study of satellite images to have major forest areas left. For the purpose of this publication the forested plateaus and hills have been subdivided as follows: • Dimba Hill • Ruawa-Likonde Plateau (with Ruawa Forest Reserve) • Noto-Chitoa Plateau (with Chitoa and Litipo Forests) • Rondo Plateau 48
Biodiversity studies in Kilwa and Lindi Districts Dimba Hill Nearly all the remaining lowland forest on Dimba Hill is contained in Dimba Forest Hill. The forest reserve is described in the following chapter on page 56. Ruawa-Likonde Plateau General description Forest is mainly present on the escarpment edge of the Likonde Plateau. Almost all the remaining forest is found inside Ruawa Forest Reserve, which is situated on part of the southeastern side of the Likonde plateau and includes an area of the coastal plain at the base of the plateau. The remaining forest on this plateau only covers some 9 km 2 , with high land use intensity in the surrounding areas. Along the escarpment there are massive outcrops of ancient coral rag which have probably been responsible for ensuring the survival of forest in the northwestern part of Ruawa Forest Reserve, as these have reduced the incentive to clear the area for agriculture (Clark 1995). Elsewhere in the reserve there is a long history of agricultural encroachment. Forest vegetation Three Eastern African Coastal Forest types were identified. Mixed dry forest, Legume dominated forest and Groundwater forest. In particular the Groundwater Forest is very impressive with very tall trees and high diversity of species. Species of forest trees The following species of trees were recorded during this study: Mixed dry forest: Dominant tree species: Milicia excelsa, Baphia macrocalyx, Cussonia zimmermannii, Bombax rhodognaphalon and Scorodophloeus fischeri Legume dominated forest: Dominant tree species: Scorodophloeus fischeri, Millettia bussei and Craibia cf. brevicaudata Ground water forest: Dominant tree species: Pouteria alnifolia, Trichilia sp., Pteryogota sp. nov. Ricinodendron heudelotii, Sterculia cf. schliebenii, Ficus exasperata and Sorindeia madagascariensis A possible new species of tree was discovered in the Ground Water Forest inside Ruawa Forest Reserve: Preryogota sp. nov. Milicia excelsa-which also occur in the Ground Water Forest is a vulnerable timber species. In addition the following East African coast endemic were recorded: Craibia cf. brevicaudata, Sterculia cf. schliebenii, Lasiodiscus holstii, Mkilua fragans, Olax pentandra, Asteranthe lutea and Uvariodendron gorgonis. 49
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UTUMI Biodiversity surveys, Tanzania. - Coastal Forests of Kenya ...

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