Eastern Arc Mountains Forests <strong>of</strong> Tanzania Ministry <strong>of</strong> Natural Resources and Tourism
Eastern Arc Mountains Forests <strong>of</strong> Tanzania EAST USAMBARA MOUNTAIN BLOCK The East Usambara Mountains fall within Muheza, Mkinga and Korogwe Districts in Tanga Region. The <strong>mountains</strong> rise to an altitude <strong>of</strong> 1,506 m at Mt Nilo. The population is 101,767 people distributed across 61 villages in <strong>the</strong> areas. Outside <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 13 national reserves in this mountain block <strong>the</strong> remaining <strong>for</strong>est is being cleared <strong>for</strong> farmland, with <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Derema proposed Forest Reserve and some o<strong>the</strong>r areas proposed as Village Forest Reserves. Some <strong>for</strong>est also remains in private land – <strong>for</strong> example in <strong>the</strong> lowland Kwamtili estate. The East Usambara Biosphere Reserve, established in 2000, covers a total area <strong>of</strong> 90,000 ha, <strong>of</strong> which 30,000 ha is core area and 12,000 ha is buffer zone. The <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> East Usambara Mountains range from lowland areas at c.300 m on <strong>the</strong> east side, through submontane <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> to <strong>the</strong> montane <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> <strong>of</strong> Nilo. Tree species composition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> varies considerably, but species such as Khaya antho<strong>the</strong>ca, Milicia excelsa are found in <strong>the</strong> lowlands and o<strong>the</strong>rs such as Myrianthus holstii, Albizia gummifera, Allanblackia stuhlmannii and Newtonia buchananii dominate at higher altitudes. Biodiversity The East Usambara <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> are globally recognised <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir exceptional biodiversity importance. The mountain block contains seven endemic vertebrates (three amphibians, one bird, one mammal and two reptiles) and a fur<strong>the</strong>r 32 species that are confined to <strong>the</strong> Eastern Arc. There are also 27 vascular plants confined to <strong>the</strong> block. Similar high rates <strong>of</strong> endemism are also seen in invertebrate animals. The montane <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> grade into lowland <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> on <strong>the</strong> <strong>eastern</strong> margin <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mountain, and <strong>the</strong>se lowland <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> also have exceptional biological importance. Threats The challenges facing <strong>the</strong> <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> in <strong>the</strong> East Usambaras are fire spreading from surrounding farmlands, illegal gold mining and farmland encroachment into ungazetted <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong>. There are also invasive plant species, <strong>for</strong> example <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tree Maesopsis and various shrubs, herbs and lianas. Core elements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World Heritage property. Core areas are Amani (8,300 ha) and Nilo (6,025 ha) nature reserves. There are plans to link Amani Nature Reserve to Nilo Nature Reserve through <strong>the</strong> proposed Derema Forest Reserve and Segoma and Kambai <strong>for</strong>est reserves in <strong>the</strong> lowlands. Moreover, it is planned to expand Kwamgumi Forest Reserve to include natural <strong>for</strong>est habitats within private estates in <strong>the</strong> lowlands, and this may be linked to <strong>the</strong> core area in <strong>the</strong> future. Buffer elements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World Heritage property: No reserves abut Nilo Nature Reserve, <strong>the</strong> closest being Segoma, Kambai and Kwamgumi Forest Reserves in <strong>the</strong> lowlands and <strong>the</strong> proposed Derema Forest Reserve that also adjoins Amani Nature Reserve. Amani Nature Reserve has buffer reserves in <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>m <strong>of</strong> teak plantations (Longuza and Kihuhwi), and <strong>the</strong> proposed Derema Forest Reserve. There are also some <strong>for</strong>est patches in <strong>the</strong> tea estate land that abuts <strong>the</strong> Amani Nature Reserve on <strong>the</strong> plateau area. These sites cover some 4,000 ha <strong>of</strong> <strong>for</strong>est. There are also some Village Forest Reserves in <strong>the</strong> immediate area. The East Usambara also contains a Biosphere Reserve that has a core area <strong>of</strong> 30,000 ha <strong>of</strong> Forest Reserves and Nature Reserves and 12,000 ha <strong>of</strong> buffer zone. O<strong>the</strong>r reserves within <strong>the</strong> East Usambara Mountains: The East Usambara also contains a fur<strong>the</strong>r 11 Forest Reserves (Bombo West, Bamba, Semdoe, Mtai, Mlinga, Manga, Mlungui, Longuza Teak plantation), 4 Village Forest Reserves (Kizee, Kizangata, Mfundia, Handei), and 2 private <strong><strong>for</strong>ests</strong> (Magoroto and Kwamtili). This totals around 13,500 ha <strong>of</strong> <strong>for</strong>est. Ministry <strong>of</strong> Natural Resources and Tourism