Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve - Frontier-publications.co.uk

Mpanga / Kipengere Game Reserve; A Biodiversity Survey
composition of the grasslands. Four timber species within the montane forests were identified (Ocotea
usambarensis, Hagenia abyssinica, Podocarpus latifolius, and Podocarpus milanjianus) and evidence of
pitsawing demonstrates local villages use of these species.
As already concluded, this combination of habitats is depended upon by a number of specialised animals
and animals of conservation or biological interest / importance. Of particular interest floristically are a
number of orchid species (Disa spp.and Roeperocharis bennettiana), which despite being supposedly
protected by CITES II classification, are illegally harvested and exported to Zambia and Malawi where the
tuber is sold as a culinary delicacy (Section 4.2.3 and 5.3).
5.2 Fauna
An extremely diverse and interesting fauna was recorded within the Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve
during the current study, both within areas of miombo woodland and forest-grassland mosaic (Table 7).
Table 7 A summary of faunal diversity and species of biological or conservation interest recorded throughout the
Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve.
Taxa Miombo woodland Forest-grassland mosaic Total **
Number of
species
Species of
biol./cons.
Number of
species
Species of
biol./cons.
Number of
species
Species of
biol./cons.
interest *
interest *
interest *
Mammals 51 2 31 7 63 9
Birds - - - - 199 18
Reptiles 24 11 13 8 33 18
Amphibians 13 2 15 3 24 5
Butterflies 128 5 61 3 169 8
Total 216 20 119 22 488 58
* This includes species listed as range restricted, of conservation concern, forest-dependent or for which the record in the reserve represents a
distribution or altitudinal range extension, but does NOT include the number of forest dwelling species
** The total figures represent the number of species recorded throughout both miombo woodland and forest-grassland habitats, they do not simply
add the number of species found in both habitats as some repetition or overlap in species was noted
As with floral diversity, the diversity of nearly all animal taxa was greatest within the miombo woodlands,
however this again in no way reflects the biological or conservation interest of the species involved, which
is far greater within the forest-grassland mosaic. As stated previously, mid-altitude miombo woodland is
widespread and the species found within it have generally been well documented. As also stated, the forestgrassland
mosaic not only has a very small coverage but has been given a conservation status of
Critical/Endangered. Little biological, and in particular faunal, research has been carried out in the habitat,
with many past conservation-aimed surveys, if not in savanna habitats, concentrating on the prestigious
Eastern Arc forests and to a lesser extent, Coastal forests. These facts imply that the current survey is of
particular value, both in revealing which species are to be found within the reserve (and possibly thus
across the Southern Highlands) and to what extent are they threatened.
• Mid-altitude miombo woodland
Many game species were recorded within the reserve’s miombo woodland during this study and discussion
with local communities suggest that many more are present. One aim of the Mpanga/Kipengere Game
Reserve Project is to increase the flow of game animals between the northern miombo woodlands of the
reserve and the Usangu Game Reserve, located to the north. This northern area of the reserve is considered
a wildlife corridor for many game animals and it is hoped that through increased protection and
management of the area more animals will migrate into the Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve from the
Usangu Game Reserve during the dry season. The species involved include elephant (Loxodonta africana)
(which according to local residents have not been found within the reserve for at least 10 years), buffalo
(Syncerus caffer) (thought by locals to be present but not recorded during the current study), Greater kudu
(Tragelaphus strepsiceros), duikers (Cephalophus sp.), dik-dik (Madoqua sp), bushpig (Potamochoerus
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