Eastern Arc Montane Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Home to some of Africa's oldest ranges and peaks
Snapshot: Ecoregion 9
Size:
24,000 sq. km (9,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
Mountains in eastern Tanzania
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
Quiz Time!
What are caecilians?
Answer:
Some of the world's most ancient amphibians, called caecilians , are found in the Eastern Arcs. These creatures, which look much like worms, often emerge from the soil after heavy rains.
About the Area
The Eastern Arc Mountains consist of a complex of ranges and peaks that are among the oldest in Africa, as are the forest communities of the region.
This ecoregion has experienced relatively moist conditions for a very long time because of its close proximity to the Indian Ocean, even as periodic drying trends affected much of Africa.Many locally endemic species of plants and animals are restricted to single mountain ranges, for e.g. the Usambara Mountains of northeast Tanzania alone have some 50 endemic tree species.
Local Species
Species include numerous birds, such as Taita thrush (Turdus helleri), Usambara akalat (Sheppardia sharpei), Usambara eagle-owl (Bubo vosseleri), and the banded sunbird (Anthreptes rubritorques).
This ecoregion supports populations of the spectacular Usambara violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), Msambo tree (Allanblackia stuhlmanni), and a large Wild nutmeg (Cephalosphaera usambarensis).
These forests are also home to mammal species, including the endemic Abbot's duiker (Cephalophus spadix), Angolan black-and-white colobus (Colobus angolensis), forest-dwelling populations of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and Harvey's duiker (Cephalophus harveyi).
Also found are bizarre amblypygids, which live in dark hollows and look more like the monster in "Alien" rather than relatives of the common house spider!
Threats
Few of the mountains have protected status, the rest threatened by agricultural expansion on lower slopes, firewood collection, and grazing.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
