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Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania
fauna in the whole of Eastern Africa (Brooks et al. 2001; Burgess et al. 2004b; 2007), including some 1,000 plant
taxa believed to be threatened with extinction (Gereau ad Luke, unpublished checklist) and 95 vertebrate
species. According to recent analysis this is the highest concentration of threatened species in the world (Brooks
et al., 2002).
Eastern Arc Mountains endemic and near-endemic species feature a number of ‘flagship species’; including at
least five primates (one species of Red Colobus monkey, two species of Mangabey monkey and two or three
species of nocturnal Galago) and all known species of African violets (Saintpaulia).
The 9 sites comprising this serial nomination encompass a total area of 451,365 km 2 , which represents
approximately 20% of the Eastern Arc Mountains and includes at least 50% of the remaining 3,500 km 2 of forest.
This series of core areas within the nominated property comprises 5 of the 6 largest protected areas in the
Eastern Arc Mountains, all of which exceed 20,000 ha in area (see Annex 3). Ukwiva Forest Reserve in the
Rubeho Mountain Block is the third largest site, covering 78,780 ha, but it is not included in this serial nomination
primarily for reasons of its current designation and management.
The 9 core areas that comprise the World Heritage serial nomination are spatially well-distributed across the
Eastern Arc Mountains (Map 1, Executive Summary) and feature much of the Outstanding Universal Value of
these Mountains. They hold more than 53% of 554 plant taxa and 76% of 118 vertebrate species endemic to the
Eastern Arc Mountains. Their habitats provide refuge to 77% of the 170 single-site endemic plant taxa and 70%
of the 47 single-site endemic vertebrate species currently known to the be restricted in their distributions to a
single block of the Eastern Arc Mountains.
The Outstanding Universal Values of each of these 9 core areas that comprise this serial nomination are
considered in more detail below, together with the integrity of the site and the management that is in place and
under development to ensure that the Outstanding Universal Values are safeguarded over the longer term.
Chome Nature Reserve
Outstanding universal values
The South Pare Mountains hold 54 (10%) of the 554 plant taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. They are
the sixth most important block, after the Udzungwa, Uluguru, West Usambara, Nguru and East Usambara
Mountains, with respect to Eastern Arc Mountain endemic plants. A total of 6 taxa (1% of Eastern Arc Mountain
endemics) are restricted to the South Pare, of which 2 taxa are recorded only from the proposed Chome Nature
Reserve.
Endemic plants species restricted in their distribution (unique) to this site:
Family Species Authority
Rubiaceae Pentas hindsioides var. parensis Verdc.
Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus parensis B.L. Burtt
The South Pare Mountains hold 8 (7%) of the 118 vertebrate species endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. A
total of 1 endemic vertebrate species is restricted to the South Pare Mountains, a threatened (VU) bird
(Zosterops winifredae), which is recorded only from the proposed Chome Nature Reserve.
Threatened species within the South Pare Mountains include 5 vertebrates, of which all 5 species are found in
the proposed Chome Nature Reserve, including 4 endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains.
Other outstanding values: Chome has qualified as one of Tanzania’s Important Bird Areas due to the
presence of two important species: South Pare White-eye, endemic to the South
Pare Mountains and listed as vulnerable; and Hunter’s Cisticola (restricted range
species, Endemic bird area 109).
Protection and management of OUV
Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism 64