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

Biodiversity studies in Kilwa and Lindi Districts
Mammals
Very limited information is available. So far only two species of large mammals have been
documented:
Leopard Panthera pardus – CITES Annex 1 species and Threatened according to IUCN
Zanj Elephant Shrew Rynchocyon petersi Coastal Forest endemic; IUCN Rare
Birds
53 species of birds were recorded from the coastal forest in Ruawa F.R. during a four days of
bird survey in mid-December 2001 (Annex B). Most of the species recorded occur in both forest
and woodland but six Forest Dependent species were also observed. These are African
Broadbill Smithornis capensis, Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii, Tiny Greenbul
Phyllastrephus debilis, Yellow-streaked Greenbul P. flavostriatus, East Coast Akalat
Sheppardia gunningi and Reichenow´s Batis, Batis reichenowi.
The population of East Coast Akalat in Ruawa F.R. represent the fourth coastal forest this rare
species is known from in coastal Tanzania south of Rufiji River (the others being Rondo, Litipo
& Chitoa). This species seems to occur in lower densities in Ruawa F.R. than in the other
forests in Lindi District.
Other birds of conservation concern recorded from Ruawa F.R. were Uluguru Violet-backed
Sunbird Anthreptes neglectus which is a Restricted-range Species and Plain-backed Sunbird
Anthreptes reichenowi which is a Near-threatened Species according to the BirdLife
International Saving Species Index. Fisher’s Greenbul Phayllastrephus fischeri, which is
common in this area, is a Coastal Forest Endemic.
Green Barbet Stactolaema olivacea was also recorded from this area. The subspecies of this
barbet was S. o. hylophona, which is endemic to southeast Tanzania. So far it has only been
recorded (with certainty) from the two Ngarama forest reserves and Rondo FR although Green
Barbets observed in Mitundumbea Forest Reserve in December 2001 most likely also belonged
to this subspecies.
A pair of the rare and local Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus was observed resting in the forest
near a system of caves. Furthermore, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus,
African Pitta Pitta angolensis, Red-tailed Ant-thrush Neocossyphus rufus and Terrestial
Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris were all found to be common inside the forest.
Human impact
Most of the plateau is transformed into agricultural land and even parts of Ruawa FR are
heavily disturbed. Only on the coral rag hills and valleys inside Ruawa FR survive a relatively
pristine coastal forest.
Protected areas
Ruawa Forest reserve is the only protected area on the Ruawa-Likonde Plateau.
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