eastern arc mountains forests of tanzania - Campaign for the ...

Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania
Altitudinal range: 300 – 2,068 m
Climate: Annual rainfall in the area ranges from 1,350 mm to 2,000 mm and sometimes exceeds
3000 mm in wetter areas. Estimated mean temperatures range between 20°C maximum
in December and 15°C minimum in July. On lowland areas temperatures reach a
maximum in December (27°C) and minimum in December (19°C).
Vegetation: Comprises lowland, submontane and montane forests, with areas of seasonally inundated
mbuga grassland and grassland with bushes. Lowland forests are relatively dry and have
a low, often broken canopy with woodland species except near streams. Submontane
forests are well developed, though they have dry forest species on the ridges. Much of the
montane forest on the plateau above the scarp is secondary, and may have been
cultivated in the historical past. Extensive stands of bamboo are reported from the western
side. Interpretation of aerial photographs of the vegetation cover taken in 1957 by
HIMA/DANIDA in 1990 provides figures of 238 ha of Mbuga grassland, 1113 ha of bushed
grassland, 18,463 ha of closed moist forest and 921 ha of open moist forest (Lovett and
Pócs 1993).
Lowland forest: Canopy 10 - 15 m, taller along streams, with emergents to 20 - 30 m.
Much disturbed in the lower parts with tangled thicket following extraction of Milicia
excelsa. Trees include: Afzelia, Anthocleista, Funtumia, Garcinia buchananii, Khaya
nyasica, Malacantha, Milicia, Newtonia, Porterandia, Sorindeia, Terculia. Woodland
species occurring in the forest include: Annona, Kigelia africana, Sterculia quinqueloba.
Submontane forest: Canopy 20 - 30 m in the valleys, lower on the ridge tops. Trees
include: Allanblackia stuhlmannii, Bequaertiodendron natalense, Bombax, Ixora scheffleri,
Newtonia buchananii, Octoknema, Syzygium guineense subsp. afromontanum.
Montane forest: Canopy 15 - 20 (25) m. The forest is apparently in an early successional
stage, with many small poles and large moribund Agauria salicifolia. Trees include:
Agauria salicifolia, Aningeria adolfii-freidericii, Aphloia, Bersama abyssininca, Cassipourea
malosana, Drypetes gerrardii, Ensete, ventricosa Macaranga kilimandscharica, Measa
lanceolata, Parinari excelsa, Phoenix reclinata, Pittosporum viridiflorum, Rapanea
melanophloeos, Schrebera alata, Tabernaemontana, Trichoscypha ulugurensis, and
Xymalos monospora.
Summary of biodiversity values:
Taxonomic
group
No. species* No. endemic
species
No. threatened
endemic/ near- No. endemic
endemic species spp.
OUV - Site endemic species
No. threatened
endemic species
Flora not compiled not compiled not compiled 6 not compiled
Amphibians 36 12 19 5 5
Reptiles 33 14 5 0 0
Birds 18 4 7 0 0
Mammals 10 5 6 0 0
Vertebrates 35 37 5 5
Management plan
Period 2010/2011 – 2015/2016
Status: The management plan is being prepared and the Forestry and Beekeeping Division is committed to
complete this work by the end of 2010, using the standard format and procedures for the
preparation of nature reserve management plans as applied for the other nature reserves included
in this nomination. The overall goal and objectives for the reserve will remain consistent with those
for other nature reserves as will the management approach. Considerable progress has been
made with mapping the reserve boundaries and demarcating them with permanent beacons and
directional trenches. All villages surrounding the reserve have signed agreements supporting the
gazettment of the nature reserve as have the two districts (Kilombero and Kilolo).
Staffing: Currently 1 Forest Officer. This will increase significantly once the Nature Reserve is established.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism 56