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