Mahenge Scarp Forest Reserve - Frontier-publications.co.uk

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Mahenge Scarp Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey The following references were also used (in order of priority): Mammals: Kingdon (1997), Kingdon (1989) and Kingdon (1974) Birds: Stevenson & Fanshawe (2002) Reptiles: Spawls et al (2002) Howell (1993) Amphibians: Channing (2001), Passmore and Carruthers, Howell (1993) Butterflies: Kielland (1990) and Larsen (1996) Plants: Palgrave (1983), Polhill (1988), Heywood (1993) The National Biodiversity Database (NBD) (UDSM 1997) is used to categorise threat status of the animals listed. The lists were compiled with regard to status and threat within Tanzania and East Africa. Listed species of amphibians and reptiles are solely based on the Tanzanian National Biodiversity Database (UDSM 1997). The status of these species are undergoing national and international evaluation. IUCN, categorises species in terms of global threat and produces Red data books, available from 1996 and earlier. However, a new IUCN 2000 CD-Rom has been released. Many Tanzanian species are not included in the 2000 IUCN Red data CD-Rom. IUCN 2000 status is given for mammals in addition to NBD and is the main source of threat status for bird species. Frontier Tanzania Environmental Research Report 107 4
Mahenge Scarp Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey 2. STUDY SITE 2.1 Location Mahenge Scarp Forest Reserve (FR) is located on the main Mahenge Mountain range, Southern Tanzania. It covers an area of 4.54 km 2 (454 ha) and lies in the district of Ulanga, Morogoro Region, covering land approximately 8 km north of Mahenge town located on latitude 8 o 37-38’00” and longitude 36 o 42-44’00” and lies 75km south of Ifakara, Kilombero District. It is bordered by the Kilombero floodplain to the west, Selous Game Reserve to the north east and forms a continuous mountain block with the Mbarika to the south, lying close to the Udzungwas and Southern highland Mountain blocks. 2.2 Site Description Name: Forest Reserve Area: 454 ha Status: Catchment Forest Reserve Established in 1954 as delineated and described on Forest and Bee Keeping Division Map No. Jb. 2076 Gazettement notice GN 312 of 24/09/1954. Area extended in 1982. Maps: Ordnance Survey topographic maps 1:50,000, Series Y 742 251/1-4: Mahenge Mountains area. Forestry and Beekeeping Division Map No. Jb. 193, Jb. 2076. The GPS co-ordinates on the FR boundary map did not correspond to the co-ordinates that FT FRP recorded for the beacons when working within the FR. These readings recorded during the work were used to draw up the grid system with which to transect (see Appendix 4). 2.3 Topography Mahenge Scarp FR’s southern boundary is the top of the escarpment, ‘Ondololo’, which runs north west – south east and the majority of the FR lies within the steep slopes and lowland woodland areas north of Ondololo. The escarpment reaches 800m asl with the lowland area to approximately 400m asl and is formed from Precambian crystalline limestone, from which many springs and streams form providing the lower villages with a water source. All the area is accessible by foot. 2.4 Climate The dry season is June to October with the main rains falling between November and April. Yearly rainfall is between 1000-2000mm, with an average of 1445 mm. Daytime temperatures range from: 27°C max (Nov) and 18°C min (July) 2.4 Land Use The latest survey of the area was carried out by Lovett and Pocs (1993), who did a botanical appraisal of all the catchment forest reserves in 1993. Seasonal lowland forest covers about 80% of the reserve, with woodland along the road and submontane forest on the plateau. 2.5 History and Status Mahenge Scarp FR is located near to human populations, Makanga and Chikuti villages. Makanga is situated further south on the plateau, whereas Chikuti is found in the valley below and probably benefits more from the water catchment value. However, resource use is predominantly by Makanga village, such as charcoal production, cutting bamboo poles and sacred worship sites in the submontane forests where a spring is situated. It is possible that some of the charcoal burning is also a small-scale commercial activity (Chikuti village, per comms). Six hectares of the FR is cultivated (legally) and scattered cultivation surrounds the FR. Demarcation of borders is not clear, therefore encroachment is likely. Intentional burning within the FR also occurs, for example in October 2002 40ha was burnt starting from the plateau and burning a strip running down the slope to the woodland. Frontier Tanzania Environmental Research Report 107 5
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