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

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation 

Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and 

Natural Heritage 

NOMINATION OF PROPERTIES FOR INCLUSION ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST 

SERIAL NOMINATION: 

EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS FORESTS OF TANZANIA 

United Republic of Tanzania 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism 

January 2010

Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania 


CONTENTS 

EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS WORLD HERITAGE NOMINATION PROCESS ......................................2 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................................................................4 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................................................................5 

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY........................................................................................................9 

1.A COUNTRY ................................................................................................................................9 

1.B STATE, PROVINCE OR REGION..................................................................................................9 

1.C NAME OF THE PROPERTY .........................................................................................................9 

1.D GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES TO THE NEAREST SECOND..........................................................9 

1.D MAPS AND PLANS, SHOWING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE NOMINATED PROPERTY AND BUFFER ZONE 9 

1.F AREA OF NOMINATED PROPERTY (HA.) AND PROPOSED BUFFER ZONE (HA.)...............................18 

2. DESCRIPTION....................................................................................................................................................... 19 

2.A DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY...................................................................................................19 

EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS ...................................................................................................19 

IDENTIFICATION OF CORE AREAS TO INCLUDE IN THE SERIAL PROPERTY ........................25 

SOUTH PARE MOUNTAIN BLOCK ..........................................................................................29 

WEST USAMBARA MOUNTAIN BLOCK ...................................................................................33 

EAST USAMBARA MOUNTAIN BLOCK....................................................................................37 

ULUGURU MOUNTAIN BLOCK ...............................................................................................43 

NGURU MOUNTAIN BLOCK....................................................................................................47 

UDZUNGWA MOUNTAIN BLOCK............................................................................................51 

2.B HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................61 

3. JUSTIFICATION FOR INSCRIPTION .......................................................................................................... 62 

3.A CRITERIA UNDER WHICH INSCRIPTION IS PROPOSED (AND JUSTIFICATION FOR INSCRIPTION UNDER 

THESE CRITERIA) .................................................................................................................................62 

Chome Nature Reserve..........................................................................................................64 

Magamba Nature Reserve .....................................................................................................65 

Amani Nature Reserve...........................................................................................................66 

Nilo Nature Reserve...............................................................................................................67 

Uluguru Nature Reserve........................................................................................................68 

Mkingu Nature Reserve.........................................................................................................70 

Kilombero Nature Reserve ....................................................................................................72 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park ....................................................................................73 

Uzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve............................................................................................74 

3.B PROPOSED STATEMENT OF OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE .................................................75 

3.C. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS........................................................................................................77 

3.D INTEGRITY .............................................................................................................................80 

4. STATE OF CONSERVATION AND FACTORS AFFECTING THE PROPERTY.......................... 82 

4.A PRESENT STATE OF CONSERVATION........................................................................................82 

4.B FACTORS AFFECTING THE PROPERTY ......................................................................................82 

5. PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY............................................................... 86 

5.A OWNERSHIP...........................................................................................................................86 

5.B PROTECTIVE DESIGNATION .....................................................................................................86 

5.C MEANS OF IMPLEMENTING PROTECTIVE MEASURES..................................................................87 

5.D EXISTING PLANS RELATED TO MUNICIPALITY AND REGION IN WHICH THE PROPOSED PROPERTY IS 

LOCATED (E.G., REGIONAL OR LOCAL PLAN, CONSERVATION PLAN, TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN) ...........91 

5.E PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PLAN OR OTHER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ............................................91 

5.F SOURCES AND LEVELS OF FINANCE .........................................................................................92 

5.G SOURCES OF EXPERTISE AND TRAINING IN CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES.......95 

5.H VISITOR FACILITIES AND STATISTICS ........................................................................................95 

5.I POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES RELATED TO THE PRESENTATION AND PROMOTION OF THE PROPERTY 

96


5.J STAFFING LEVELS (PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL, MAINTENANCE)................................................97 

6. MONITORING .................................................................................................................................................... 100 

6.A KEY INDICATORS FOR MEASURING STATE OF CONSERVATION..................................................100 

6.B ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONITORING PROPERTY..............................................103 

6.C RESULTS OF PREVIOUS REPORTING EXERCISES .....................................................................103 

7. DOCUMENTATION ......................................................................................................................................... 104 

7.A PHOTOGRAPHS, SLIDES, IMAGE INVENTORY AND AUTHORIZATION TABLE AND OTHER AUDIOVISUAL 

MATERIALS........................................................................................................................................104 

7.B TEXTS RELATING TO PROTECTIVE DESIGNATION, COPIES OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PLANS OR 

DOCUMENTED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND EXTRACTS OF OTHER PLANS RELEVANT TO THE PROPERTY..107 

7.C FORM AND DATE OF MOST RECENT RECORDS OR INVENTORY OF PROPERTY ............................108 

7.D ADDRESS WHERE INVENTORY, RECORDS AND ARCHIVES ARE HELD.........................................109 

7.E BIBLIOGRAPHY.....................................................................................................................109 

8. CONTACT INFORMATION AND RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES ............................................... 112 

8.A PREPARER...........................................................................................................................112 

8.B OFFICIAL LOCAL INSTITUTION/AGENCY..................................................................................112 

8.C OTHER LOCAL INSTITUTIONS ................................................................................................112 

8.D OFFICIAL WEB ADDRESS.......................................................................................................112 

9. SIGNATURE ON BEHALF OF THE STATE PARTY ........................................................................... 113 

ANNEX 1. EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS: ENDEMIC PLANTS (KENYA AND TANZANIA) ..... 114 

ANNEX 2. EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS: ENDEMIC AND NEAR-ENDEMIC VERTEBRATES. 118 

ANNEX 3. EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS: PROTECTED AREAS LIST ............................................... 122 

ANNEX 4. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE NINE SITES...................................................................................... 128 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism 1


Eastern Arc Mountains World Heritage 

Nomination Process 

The Eastern Arc Mountains are known to biologists and conservationists as one of the world’s most important 

areas for biodiversity. This importance was first recognised by work undertaken in the 1970s (White 1983), and in 

the pioneering work on the identification of global biodiversity hotspots (Myers, 1990). Based on systematic 

analyses of available species data, the importance of the Eastern Arc Mountains has been recognised in the 

following analyses of global biological priority: 

� Global 200 Ecoregion (WWF: Olson and Dinerstein 1998); 

� part of a global biodiversity hotspot (Conservation International: Mittermeier et al., 1998; 2004); and 

� part of an Endemic Bird Area (BirdLife International: ICBP 1992; Stattersfield et al., 1998). 

However, despite this importance the area is yet to be recognized internationally through its inscription as a 

natural property on the World Heritage List. This was first noted at the 1997 Eastern Arc Mountains Conference 

held in Morogoro, Tanzania, organized by the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (Burgess et al. 1998). A 

conclusion of that meeting was that the Eastern Arc Mountains would be a suitable candidate for a serial 

nomination, perhaps similar to the Australian Wet Tropics World Heritage property (Lovett 1998). The lack of a 

suitable World Heritage Site in the Eastern Arc was also noted in the UNEP-WCMC global review of the 

biodiversity coverage of World Heritage Sites (Magin and Chape 2004). The approach for developing an Eastern 

Arc Mountains World Heritage Site needed to address the geographical isolation of the 13 mountain blocks, the 

fragmentation of the forest within the respective blocks, and identify the most important sites to include within the 

property. 

After the Eastern Arc conference of 1997, the Forestry and Beekeeping Division (FBD) and UNDP-GEF 

developed a conservation project for the Eastern Arc Mountains that included the successful serial nomination of 

the Eastern Arc Mountains for inscription on the World Heritage List as a primary output. The resulting 

FBD/UNDP-GEF Project, ‘Conservation and Management of the Eastern Arc Mountain Forests’, was started in 

2003 and has run until 2010. The Project provided the funding to facilitate the process of developing the 

nomination of the Eastern Arc World Heritage property. From 2004 to 2009 the process focused on working 

within the national and local government systems to explain the World Heritage concept and gain support from 

the 5 regions and 15 districts that cover the Eastern Arc Mountains, and the support of the Forestry and 

Beekeeping Division and the Department of Antiquities, both within the Ministry of Natural Resources and 

Tourism. 

During 2004-2009 considerable efforts were also made to promote biological study of the Eastern Arc Mountains 

through funding provided by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (established by a number of donors), 

UNDP-GEF and others. Support was also provided to compile all available records of species within Eastern Arc 

Mountain blocks using a Geographic Information System, enabling species’ distributions to be mapped. By the 

end of 2009 detailed databases had been compiled for birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. 

In 2009 UNESCO provided a World Heritage preparatory grant for technical assistance in the preparation of the 

nomination dossier, and for hosting a stakeholders meeting in December 2009 when the final steps of the 

nomination process were debated and agreed, with particular attention focused on the selection of sites for 

including in the serial nomination. 

After the meeting in December 2009 the consultant team, and a group of international scientists, updated the 

available data on species values for every site in the Eastern Arc (see acknowledgements). This process 

allowed a full and transparent justification of the Outstanding Universal Values of the entire Eastern Arc, in terms 

of the mountain blocks within the Eastern Arc and the individual sites (mainly protected areas) within each block. 

This work resulted in a series of moderately comprehensive databases that cover all the animal and plant values 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism


across the Eastern Arc. These data provide the basis for the selection of sites for inclusion in the serial 

nomination of the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

In addition to the biological and conservation values of sites (i.e. species richness, endemism and threatened 

status), the integrity (area and connectivity), protection (legal status) and management (management plan status 

and provisions) of the sites across the Eastern Arc have been taken into account in the selection of sites. A 

further criterion is that each site is managed by a competent authority, in this case either the Forestry and 

Beekeeping Division or Tanzania National Parks. Thus, each site included in this serial nomination is large, rich 

in endemic species (including species endemic to the mountain block and/or site), designated as a nature 

reserve or national park (or in the process of being designated a nature reserve) and having a management plan 

that is up to date or in the process of being updated. As such, the sites selected by the Government of Tanzania 

for inclusion in this serial nomination for consideration by the World Heritage Committee have Outstanding 

Universal Values for which there is legal provision for their protection, together with plans and resources for their 

management. This methodology is described in more detail in Section 2a of the nomination. 

The results of this site selection procedure were presented to key stakeholders at a meeting in Dar es Salaam, 

Tanzania on the 20 th January 2010. Participants made a number of further interventions and the final set of sites 

to be included in the nomination was endorsed unanimously. The meeting also provided an opportunity to identify 

a series of initiatives to prioritise during the coming months following the submission of nomination and in 

anticipation of its evaluation and, hopefully, the inscription of the site on the World Heritage List. 



Acknowledgements 

Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism would like to thank the 

following people for their contribution to the compilation of the data used to justify the Outstanding Universal 

Values of the Eastern Arc Mountains, for animals: Kim Howell, Chacha Werema and Willirk Ngalasson of the 

University of Dar es Salaam (birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians), Michele Menegon (reptiles and 

amphibians), Francesco Rovero (mammals), Nisha Owen (Mahenge, Rubeho and Ukaguru records), Nike 

Doggart, Charles Leonard and Andrew Perkin (North Pare, Mufindi and Rubeho records), Andrew Marshall 

(Udzungwa data), Lauren Persha (West Usambara data), Jonathan Green and Phil Clarke (analysis). For plants 

the data were developed by: Roy Gereau (TROPICOS database), Antje Ahrends (analysis and data from 

Mahenge, Ukaguru and Rubeho) and Jon Lovett (Eastern Arc data). Neil Burgess and Michael Green provided 

technical assistance in the preparation of the nomination dossier. Kekelia Kabalimu and Boniface Mbilinyi 

produced the maps. The process was overseen by the Forestry and Beekeeping Division, in particular by the late 

Felician Kilahama, Corodius Sawe, Evarist Nashanda, Christognus Haule, Luciana Mshana and Kevin Mndeme. 

The Forestry and Beekeeping Division welcomes the collaboration with Tanzania National Parks, with special 

thanks to Paul Banga for provision of information in support of this serial nomination. Particular thanks are due to 

Donatius Kamamba, Division of Antiquities, for advice and support concerning the submission of this nomination 

dossier on behalf of the Tanzanian Government. 

DEDICATION 

This nomination is dedicated to the late Corodius Sawe of the Forestry and Beekeeping Division who led the 

Eastern Arc World Heritage process from 2004 to 20 th December 2009, when he passed away, and to the late Dr 

Alan Rodgers of UNDP-GEF for his vision and drive in establishing the project mechanism to enable the work to 

be undertaken. He passed away on 31 st March 2009. 



Executive Summary 

State Party: United Republic of Tanzania 

State, Province or Region Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Dodoma, Morogoro and Iringa Regions 

Name of Property Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania 

Geographical coordinates to the 37.0º E, 3.5º S northern limit 

nearest second 

36.5º E, 9.5º S southern limit 

Textual description of the A series of nine of the most important sites within the Eastern Arc Mountains 

boundary(ies) of the nominated ecoregion, in the eastern part of Tanzania extending from Mwanga District 

property 

(Kilimanjaro) in the north to Mufindi District (Iringa) in the south 

A4 (or "letter") size map of the Included overleaf 

nominated property, showing 

boundaries and buffer zone (if 

present) 

Justification 

The Eastern Arc Mountains, encompassing an area of some 23,000 km 

Statement of Outstanding 

Universal Value 

2 , 

are part of the Eastern Afromontane hotspot, one of 34 of the world’s 

richest places for biodiversity that are under continuing extreme threat of 

loss of their original vegetation. This arc of mountains is geologically 

ancient, dating back at least 30 million years and possibly 100 million 

years, and individual blocks are isolated from each other, with the result 

that they have played an important role as refugia for plants and animals, 

and as centres of speciation over the millennia. 

The Eastern Arc Mountains and Forests of Tanzania property proposed 

for inscription on the World Heritage List is a series of 9 protected areas 

within 6 of the 13 blocks that comprise the Eastern Arc Mountains, as 

follows: 

Serial site Mountain Block 

Amani Nature Reserve East Usambara 

Nilo Nature Reserve East Usambara 

Mkingu Proposed Nature Reserve Nguru 

Chome Proposed Nature Reserve South Pare 

Kilombero Nature Reserve Udzungwa 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park Udzungwa 

Uzungwa Scarp Proposed Nature Udzungwa 

Uluguru Reserve Nature Reserve Uluguru 

Magamba Proposed Nature Reserve West Usambara 

These 9 sites encompass a total area of 451,365 ha, which represents 

approximately 20% of the Eastern Arc Mountains and includes at least 

50% of the remaining 3,500 km 2 of forest. The sites have been selected 

for inclusion in the nomination as being, on the basis of current 

knowledge, universally outstanding examples of evolutionary and 

biogeographical processes, as well as having a wealth of species of 

plants and animals (vertebrates) that are endemic to the Eastern Arc 

Mountains and in numerous cases endemic to an individual site within the 

serial property. 



This serial property is nominated on the basis of the following criteria: 

Criterion (ix) 

The property features important biological refugia, having 

numerous endemic taxa representing ancient lineages that have 

survived millions of years of climatic fluctuations elsewhere on the 

African continent, as well as being centres of more recent 

speciation and radiation. For example, all of the world’s African 

violet (Saintpaulia) species are located in the forests of these 

mountains and many are endemic to the area. 

DNA analysis has shown that the property provides a globally 

important record of the evolution of life on earth, especially for 

ancient groups of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians having 

30 million year old and older radiations. Such evidence is based 

on there being at least 40 genera of plants and at least 6 genera of 

vertebrates that are endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

The endemism comprises both newly evolved species and ancient 

relicts that have their origins in prehistoric times when a continuous 

swathe of forest was present across the whole of tropical Africa. 

This unique biogeography of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and its 

disjunct nature in patches that are elevated above the surrounding 

landscape, give patterns in species distributions and range that are 

akin to true islands, causing it to be dubbed as 'The Galapagos of 

Africa'. 

Criterion (x) 

The Eastern Arc Mountains rank among the world’s top five sites for 

their diversity of plants, herpetofauna, birds and mammals when 

compared with 21 tropical forest World Heritage sites. They also 

hold among the highest numbers and concentration of rare and 

endangered species and genera of flora and fauna in the whole of 

Eastern Africa, including some 1,000 plant taxa believed to be 

threatened with extinction and 95 vertebrate species, reputedly the 

highest concentration of threatened species in the world. Much of 

this diversity is found within the serial sites, including ‘flagship 

species’; such as five primate species (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 core areas that comprise the World Heritage serial 

nomination are spatially well-distributed across the Eastern Arc 

Mountains and 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 be restricted in their distributions to a 

single mountain block of the Eastern Arc. Thus, each of the 

nominated core areas holds from 1 to 68 plant taxa and 1-11 

vertebrate species that are unique (endemic) to that site. 

The 9 serial sites contain examples of each of the main types of forest 

habitat within the Eastern Arc Mountains. The Udzungwa Mountains 

National Park and Kilombero Nature Reserve contain the full altitudinal 



range of the forest from lowland forest at 200 m, through sub-montane, 

montane and upper montane forest, to montane grasslands, heathlands 

and bogs above the tree line. Drier and ecologically unique montane 

woodlands are present on the lee slopes of Udzungwa Mountains, and 

there are important assemblages of xerophytic plants, including endemic 

species, growing on exposed rocky outcrops. 

The series of sites encompass at least 50% of the remaining natural 

habitat in the Eastern Arc Mountains, including true wilderness where there 

are no visible human impacts and large mammals, such as elephant, 

buffalo and lion, are still found living at high altitudes. The 9 sites are intact 

and have no people living inside their boundaries. 

Five of the 6 largest remaining patches of protected habitat in the Eastern 

Arc Mountains are included in the serial nomination, each of the 5 

exceeding 23,000 ha and the rest ranging from approximately 6,000 ha to 

14,000 ha. The two largest sites in the series are contiguous (Udzungwa 

National Park and Kilombero Nature Reserve) and plans are underway to 

link Kilombero Nature Reserve with the nearby proposed Uzungwa Scarp 

via Mngeta Corridor to provide a contiguous area in excess of 366,000 ha 

within the Udzungwa Mountain Block. This would amount to 16% of the 

total area of the Eastern Arc Mountains. There are also plans to link the 

two smallest nature reserves, Amani and Nilo, via Derema Corridor to 

create a contiguous unit of at least 14,600 ha. 

Peripheral to the boundaries of these 9 core areas and, indeed, all natural 

forests within the Eastern Arc Mountains are numerous settlements and 

extensive areas of cultivation, providing little or no short-term opportunity 

for establishing adjacent buffer zones. 

While there is effectively only 4,000 ha of de facto buffer zone (national 

Forest Reserves) peripheral to the core areas, local authority and village 

Forest Reserves cover an estimated 7,924 ha in the vicinity of the 9 serial 

sites. These forests meet some of the livelihood needs of village 

communities and, thereby, play an important role in reducing pressures on 

the forests protected for biodiversity and watershed conservation purposes. 

Good progress is also being made in encouraging village communities to 

establish buffer strips outside and contiguous with the boundary of nature 

reserve. 

Much more extensive is the network of national Forest Reserves within 

each mountain block, amounting to some 126,873 ha, which provide 

‘stepping stones’, ‘corridors’ and refuges to plants and animals, all of which 

contributes to the maintenance and exchange of genetic diversity. 

The 9 serial sites comprise 8 nature reserves under the management of 

the Forestry and Beekeeping Division (FDB), of which 3 are in the 

process of being legally notified in 2010, and 1 national park under the 

management the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). All of these 

protected areas have management plans, with one exception (Uzungwa 

Scarp) that is being prepared in 2010. The national park management 

plan is currently under revision. 

Management plan objectives focus primarily on biodiversity conservation 

and also water conservation and provision, along with visitor 



Criteria under which property is 

nominated (itemize criteria) 

Name and contact information of 

official local institution/agency 

management, research, education, outreach and enforcement. Over the 

last few years there have been significant increases in investment, both in 

staff numbers and capital expenditure. This trend is due to increase 

exponentially over the next five years for the recently and newly 

established nature reserves. 

Across the Eastern Arc, the communities surrounding the forests are also 

involved in the management of the forest resources. This management 

takes the form of Joint Management agreements in about 50% of the 

protected areas, whereby communities enter into an agreement with the 

Forestry and Beekeeping Division for the management of the area. There 

is also an increasing number of Village Land Forest Reserves in the 

Eastern Arc, especially in the East and West Usambara and Udzungwa 

Mountain blocks. 


Criterion (x) 

Director General 

Forestry and Beekeeping Division 


P.O. Box 426. Dar es Salaam 

Tanzania 

Tel: +255 (0)23 2613082 

Fax: + 255 (0)22 2130091 

Website www.easternarc.or.tz 



1. Identification of the Property 

1.a Country 

United Republic of Tanzania 

1.b State, Province or Region 

Regions of Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Dodoma, Morogoro and Iringa 

1.c Name of the Property 

Eastern Arc Mountains Forests 

1.d Geographical Coordinates to the nearest second 

Serial 

No. 

Mountain Block Name of property 

01 East Usambara 

Amani Nature 

Reserve 

02 East Usambara Nilo Nature Reserve 

03 Nguru 

04 South Pare 

05 Udzungwa 

06 Udzungwa 

07 Udzungwa 

08 Uluguru 

09 West Usambara 

Mkingu Proposed 

Nature Reserve 

Chome Proposed 


Kilombero Nature 

Reserve 

Udzungwa 

Mountains National 

Park 

Uzungwa Scarp 

Proposed Nature 

Reserve 

Uluguru Nature 

Reserve 

Magamba Proposed 


PROVINCE 

District 

TANGA 

Muheza, Korogwe 

TANGA 

Korogwe, Muheza, 

Mkinga 

MOROGORO 

Mvomero District 

KILIMANJARO 

Pare District 

IRINGA 

Kilombero, Kilola 

IRINGA / MOROGORO 

Kilolo / Kilombero 

Districts 

IRINGA 

Kilombero / Muifindi / 

Kilolo Districts 

MOROGORO 

Morogoro, Mvomero 

LUSHOTO 

Lushoto 

Coordinates 

Decimal degrees 

E 38.61 

S 05.14 

E 38 65 

S 04.92 

E 37.51 

S 06.11 

E 37.95 

S 04.29 

E 36.44 

S 07.92 

E .35.95 

S 08.39 

E 36.69 

S 07.83 

E 37.63 

S 07.00 

E 38.25 

S 04.73 

Altitude range 

(m) 

300 - 1,128 

400 - 1,506 

380 - 2,140 

1,250 - 2,463 

1,040 - 2,600 

201 - 2,580 

300 - 2068 

600 - 2,638 

1,650 - 2,300 

1.d Maps and plans, showing the boundaries of the 

nominated property and buffer zone 

The following maps are included in Section 1.d: 

Map 1: Location of the 9 sites comprising the serial nomination of the Eastern Arc Mountains Forests, with 

their forest cover (modified after Hall et al., 2009) 

Map 2: South Pare Mountains Block, with Chome proposed Nature Reserve 

Map 3: West Usambara Mountains Block, with Magamba proposed Nature Reserve 

Map 4: East Usambara Mountains Block, with Nilo and Amani Nature Reserves 



Map 5: Nguru Mountains Block, with Mkingu proposed Nature Reserve 

Map 6: Uluguru Mountains Block, with Uluguru Nature Reserve 

Map 7: Udzungwa Mountains Block, with Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Kilombero Nature Reserve, and 

Uzungwa proposed Nature Reserve 

The following 9 maps of individual serial sites are included in Section 2.a under their respective Mountain Block: 

Chome Proposed Nature Reserve 

Magamba Proposed Nature Reserve 

Nilo Nature Reserve 

Amani Nature Reserve 

Mkingu Proposed Nature Reserve 

Uluguru Nature Reserve 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park 

Kilombero Nature Reserve 

Uzungwa Scarp Proposed Nature Reserve 



Uzungwa Scarp 

proposed NR 

Kilombero 

NR 

Chome 

proposed 

NR 

Magamba 

proposed 

NR 

Udzungwa 

Mountains 

National 

Park 

Mkingu 

proposed 

NR 

Amani NR 

Uluguru 

Nature 

Reserve 

Taita 

Nilo NR 

Map 1: Location of the 9 sites comprising the serial nomination of the Eastern Arc Mountains, with their forest 

cover (modified after Hall et al., 2009) 



Map 2: South Pare Mountains Block, with Chome proposed Nature Reserve 



Map 3: West Usambara Mountains Block, with Magamba proposed Nature Reserve 



Map 4: East Usumbara Mountains Block, with Amani Nature Reserve and Nilo Nature Reserve 



Map 5: Nguru Mountains Block, with Mkingu proposed Nature Reserve 



Map 6: Uluguru Mountains Block, with Uluguru Nature Reserve 



Map 7: Udzungwa Mountains Block, with Udzungwa National Park, Kilombero Nature Reserve and Uzungwa proposed Nature Reserve 



1.f Area of nominated property (ha.) and proposed buffer 

zone (ha.) 

The total area of the Eastern Arc Mountains is approximately 2,300,000 ha, of which more than 90% is found in 

Tanzania. The total core area of the series of nine protected areas in Tanzania nominated for World Heritage 

inscription is 451,365 ha, representing 19.6% of the Eastern Arc Mountains but covering at least 50% of the 

remaining natural habitat. 

Nominated area, and buffer zone areas for the nine Eastern Arc World Heritage property 

Serial 

No. 

Mountain 

Block 


Name of property Nominated 

area (ha) 

Buffer 

zone 

(ha)* 

Total 

area (ha) 

Other 

buffer # 

Mountain 

Block 

forest 

buffer ## 

(ha) 

01 East Usambara Amani Nature Reserve 8,380 *1,000 9,380 250 13,500 

02 East Usambara Nilo Nature Reserve 6,225 **3,000 9,225 250 

03 Nguru Mkingu Proposed Nature Reserve 23,388 0 23,388 1,000 7,373 

04 South Pare Chome Proposed Nature Reserve 14,283 0 14,283 250 7,000 

05 Udzungwa Kilombero Nature Reserve 134,511 0 134,511 1,000 69,000 

06 Udzungwa Udzungwa Mountains National Park 199,000 199,000 1,000 

07 Udzungwa Uzungwa Scarp Proposed Nature 

Reserve 

32,763 0 32,763 250 

08 Uluguru Uluguru Nature Reserve 24,115 0 24,115 250 10,000 

09 West Usambara Magamba Proposed Nature 

Reserve 

8,700 0 8,700 3,674 20,000 

Totals 451,365 4,000 455,365 7,924 126,873 

Buffer zone: *Derema Corridor (proposed Forest Reserve); ** Segoma, Kambai, Kwamgumi FRs (3,000 ha) 

# Other buffer: Comprises local authority and village Forest Reserves in the vicinity of the proposed serial World Heritage 

property. 

## Mountain Block forest buffer: Comprises national Forest Reserves within the Mountain Block.


2. Description 

2.a Description of Property 

EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS 

The name 

The term ‘Eastern Arc’ was introduced in 1985 to describe the arc of forest-capped ancient crystalline mountains 

of eastern Tanzania and south-east Kenya, which are under the influence of the Indian Ocean climatic regime 

and, therefore, contain predictable local climates (Lovett 1985). 

Geographical distribution 

Thirteen separate mountain blocks comprise the Eastern Arc, covering a total area of approximately 23,000 km 2 of 

which some 3,500 km 2 is forested. The mountains are separated from each other but, together, they form a broad 

arc shape of some 600 km in length. Twelve of the 13 mountain blocks are found in eastern Tanzania within 15 

Districts and 5 Regions. The other mountain block (Taita Hills) is found in Kenya (Map 1, Executive Summary). 

Geology and Geomorphology 

The Eastern Arc Mountains were formed by uplifting associated with the Rifting of the African plate which caused 

the development of the ‘Great Rift Valley’. The mountains are at least 30 million years old and are made up of 

ancient rocks dating from the Precambrian epoch. 

The Eastern Arc Mountains rise to a maximum altitude of 2,635 m at Kimhandu peak in the Ulugurus, although 

more typically the maximum altitudes of different blocks are between 2,200 m and 2,500 m. 

The mountain blocks typically rise dramatically from the surrounding plains, often with very steep drops down to 

the plains, especially on the eastern and southern margins. Some of the larger blocks have flat tops, which are 

slightly undulating. There are many rocky outcrops throughout the mountains and fast flowing rivers drain to the 

lowlands. 

The rocks of the Eastern Arc are highly deformed after hundreds of millions of years of uplift, erosion and further 

uplift. They comprise a mixture of migmatites and granites, with numerous quartz veins. The rocks are all base 

poor and weather to form a nutrient poor and generally sandy soil that is suitable for agriculture, but is not very 

productive. Only in areas that have been more recently covered by forest, and hence have higher humous 

content, are the soils good for agricultural productivity. These areas are typically located at higher altitudes where 

the rainfall is also more conducive for agriculture. 

Climate regime 

The Eastern Arc Mountains are under the direct climatic influence of the Indian Ocean, and the climatic regime is 

believed to have been stable over millions of years, as indicated by biogeographical affinities to the forests of 

West Africa, Madagascar, and Asia. The Arc forests survived the driest and coldest periods of the last ice ages, 

as the Indian Ocean did not cool appreciably and rainfall patterns may not have been greatly disrupted. Today, 

the climate in the mountains remains wetter, and less seasonal than the surrounding lowlands. 

The Uluguru Mountains receive up to 3,000 mm rain a year on the eastern slopes, and annual rainfall on most 

other mountains exceeds 1,500 mm in wetter parts. There is, however, some evidence that the climate has 

become drier and more seasonal in recent decades, with a lower likelihood of the forests being enveloped in mist. 



Although the mountain soils are not rich, being old and leached in character, they are often better for agriculture 

than those of the surrounding lowlands. The favourable climate and moderately fertile soils have attracted people 

to the mountains and the area surrounding the Eastern Arc forests support some of the highest population 

densities in Tanzania. 

Habitat types 

For millions of the years the forests of the Eastern Arc were connected to lowland forest areas that stretched as far as 

the Congo Basin to the East. This forest connection was severed as Africa dried out, with final separation within the 

past 10 million years. Since that time the forests and grasslands of the Eastern Arc have been broadly isolated from 

other African forest types, and have undergone separate evolutionary paths. 

The eastern facing slopes of the Arc Mountains are (or were) forest covered, but most blocks have plateau-like 

tops (e.g. Pares, West and East Usambaras, Udzungwas and Ulugurus), and the highest of these originally 

supported montane grasslands/heathlands. The forest formations of the Eastern Arc Mountains have been 

divided into upper montane (2,635-1,800 m), montane (1,250-1,800 m), sub-montane (800-1,250 m), and lowland 

(below 800 m). At the lowest altitudes (generally below 800-500 m depending on the block) the forest grades into 

that more typical of the lowland Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa Hotspot. 

The montane forest is characterized by large trees such as Ocotea usambarensis, Allanblackia usambarensis, A. 

ulugurensis, Ochna holstii, Podocarpus latifolius, P. falcatus, Ilex mitis, Cornus volkensii, Newtonia buchanii, 

Pachystela msolo. In the sub-montane forests the timber trees Khaya anthothea and Milicia excelsa are also 

present. Rubiaceae and Acanthaceae dominate the shrub and ground layers. 

The upper altitudinal limit of forest vegetation is determined by the regular occurrence of frost, and varies 

between the different mountain blocks. This is around 2,400 m altitude and at this point the forest grades into 

Afromontane grassland and heathland plant communities with temperate affinities. 

Biodiversity 

The Eastern Arc Mountains have been identified in all the major analyses of global biological priority based on 

the available species data. Starting in the 1970s, the ‘Eastern Arc Mountains’ were identified as a component of 

the Afromontane archipelago-like regional centre of endemism by White (1983). The Eastern Arc Mountains are 

also a Global 200 Ecoregion of WWF (Olson and Dinerstein 1998), part of a biodiversity hotspot of Conservation 

International (Mittermeier et al., 1998; 2004) and part of an Endemic Bird Area of BirdLife International (ICBP 

1992; Stattersfield et al., 1998). These studies all indicate the extreme biological importance of the area in global 

terms. The Eastern Arc is also mentioned in the UNDP-WCMC review of the coverage of World Heritage Sites 

as an ecoregion where there is no current World Heritage property (Magin and Chape, 2004). 

In terms of plants, data compiled for this World Heritage nomination suggest there are at least 3,473 species 

(4,234 taxa) in 800 genera in the Eastern Arc Mountains, of which at least 453 species (554 taxa) and around 40 

genera are believed endemic, including trees, shrubs and herbs. There are also high rates of endemism in the 

non-vascular plants, with 32 known endemic bryophytes. Endemic plants are not only found in the forests, but 

also in the montane grasslands, wetland areas, rocky outcrops, and in the drier ‘rainshadow’ (west and north) 

areas. 

Vertebrates comprise several hundred species, of which at least 118 are endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

There are over 50 Eastern Arc endemic species of amphibians, concentrated in the reed treefrogs (Hyperolius), 

forest treefrogs (Leptopelis), viviparous toads (Nectophrynoides), narrow-mouthed frogs (family Microhylidae), 

and caecilians. The Eastern Arc Mountains are home to 50% of the members of the caecilian family, 

Scolecomorphidae, among which the genus Scolecomorphus, with three species, is endemic. New species of 

amphibians continue to be discovered in the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

At least 32 species of reptiles are endemic to the eastern Arc Mountains, the majority of these being 

chameleons in the genera Chamaeleo, Rhampholeon and Kinyonga. Reptile endemism is particularly high for an 



African mountain system as cool and moist habitats are not ideal for exothermic reptiles. New species of reptiles 

also continue to be discovered in the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

There are 21 Eastern Arc endemic species of birds and four endemic genera (Xenoperdix, Sceptomycter, 

Modulatrix, Swynnertonia). Some bird species have extremely limited distributions, for example the Taita thrush 

(Turdus helleri, CR) and Usambara akalat (Sheppardia montana, CR) occur only in a few square kilometres of 

forest in the Taita Hills and West Usambaras, respectively. In addition, the Uluguru bush-shrike (Malaconotus 

alius, CR) is confined to one nature reserve in the Uluguru Mountains, with less than 100 km 2 of suitable habitat 

remaining. Some bird species have disjunctive distribution patterns covering parts of the Eastern Arc, the 

Southern Rift and the Zimbabwe Highlands; for example, the monotypic genus Swynnertonia and the Long-billed 

tailorbird (Orthotomus moreaui). 

Eastern Arc mammals total 12 endemic species, including three species of primate, the Sanje mangabey 

(Cercocebus sanjei, EN), Udzungwa red colobus (Procolobus gordonorum, EN), and the Mountain dwarf galago 

(Galagoides orinus). There are also newly described species in the Eastern Arc, such as the giant elephant 

shrew (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis, VU), the shrew Congosorex phillipsorum (CR) and the near-endemic 

highland mangabey (Rungwecebus kipunji, CR), which is also a new genus of monkey. 

The Eastern Arc Mountains also support an invertebrate fauna that is exceptionally rich in endemic species, 

although it remains poorly known. Information on spiders and millipedes indicate that up to 80% of invertebrate 

species (and many genera) may be strictly endemic to a single mountain. These patterns seem to be repeated 

across other invertebrate groups, including butterflies. There are 78 butterfly species are either endemic (43) or 

near-endemic (35) to the Eastern Arc. Among the dragonflies are two species strictly endemic to the East 

Usambaras. 

A summary of the diversity of plants and vertebrates recorded known to occur within the Eastern Arc Mountains is 

provided in Table 1. Lists of plant and animal taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains are provided in Annexes 1 

and 2, respectively, including information on their distribution with respect to the different mountain blocks. 

Table 1 Number of plants and vertebrates endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains and to single mountain 

blocks within the Eastern Arc Mountains (Source: compiled from data used for this nomination) 

Mountain 

Block 

Single block 

endemic animals 

Vertebrates Plants 

EA endemic 

animals 

Threatened 

animals 

Single block 

endemic plants 

EA endemic 

plants 

East Usambara 7 32 35 36 123 

Mahenge 1 8 12 11 48 

Malundwe 0 1 0 0 3 

North Pare 0 4 3 1 6 

Nguru 14 44 26 28 137 

Nguu 0 9 11 0 0 

Rubeho 2 19 24 1 37 

South Pare 1 8 5 6 54 

Taita 6 6 4 9 36 

Udzungwa 19 44 50 77 221 

Ukaguru 3 11 13 5 36 

Uluguru 12 39 37 80 211 

West Usambara 4 21 24 37 144 



Changes in habitat coverage over time 

Since the evolution of modern humans and the initiation of agriculture a couple of thousand years ago in this region, 

the mountains of the Eastern Arc have become favoured places for settled agriculture as they have stable climates 

and moderate soils. Over the past hundreds of years the forest and grassland on many areas of the Eastern Arc has 

been slowly cleared and replaced by farmland, and today more than 70% of the former habitat has been lost. 

The remaining natural forest on the Eastern Arc Mountains was around 3,500 km 2 in the year 2000. This has 

declined from around 4,750 km 2 in 1955 and perhaps as much as 18,000 km 2 in historical times (Table 2). These 

data are complete up to c.2000. Partly completed updating of these forest cover data to 2008 shows that forest 

loss has continued, but full results are not yet available. However, the largest areas of loss are believed to have 

occurred in sub-montane forests in the Uluguru and East Usambara, and in montane forests in the Ukaguru and 

Rubeho ranges. Elsewhere forest loss has been small. 

The decline in forest area has also been accompanied by an increase in fragmentation. The number of forest 

fragments increased from 852 in 1955 to 1,468 in 2000, even though forest area only declined by 15% over this 

period. In most areas in the Eastern Arc the isolation of the remaining forest patches (largely within reserves) is 

complete and the forests are now entirely surrounded by farmland with little chance of the forests being re-connected. 

In some other areas there remains fragments of natural forest or grassland habitats between existing reserves and in 

these places FBD is often working to create new reserves to maintain the forest connectivity. Examples of this are in 

the Derema forest corridor in the East Usambara Mountains, the Mngeta forest corridor in the Udzungwa Mountains, 

the Bunduki Gap forest corridor in the Ukaguru Mountains, and some smaller potential forest corridors in the East 

Usambara Mountains. 

Table 2 Forest area in the Eastern Arc Mountains over time (from Hall et al., 2009) 

Eastern Arc Mountain Block 

Forest Cover across time (km 2 ) 

Paleo. 1955 1975 2000 

East Usambara 830 425 299 263 

Mahenge 557 35 24 24 

Malundwe 37 9 6 9 

Nguru 920 **313 313 297 

Nguu 668 207 198 188 

North Pare 323 36 27 26 

Rubeho 2,648 652 532 477 

South Pare 1,088 195 147 139 

Udzungwa 5,861 1,745 1,402 1,354 

Ukaguru 1,076 200 181 167 

Uluguru 1,620 338 321 279 

West Usambara 2,364 579 348 323 

Total 17,992 4,734 3,798 3,546 

**1955 data on Nguru unavailable due to lack of relevant map, so 1975 data have been used. 

Human history 

The Eastern Arc supports a number of ethnic groups, with single groups found in most of the blocks, with somewhat 

different languages between the groups. Most of the groups are Bantu peoples, but there are also some Kushitic (in 

South Pare and West Usambara mountains) and Nilotic people in the form of the Masaai and Barabaig who 

seasonally use some of the Eastern Arc lowland areas. 

Human population density 

The Eastern Arc Mountains support high human population density. Human densities are often over 200 people per 

square kilometre, sometimes reaching 300-400 people per square kilometre. These people are all heavily dependant 



on the use of natural resources to support their livelihoods, for example they collect firewood and building poles from 

the forests, and some also undertake logging and mining activities (generally illegally). There is also hunting 

pressure in many Eastern Arc forests, which in some areas has impacted on large mammal populations mammals to 

the extent of only smaller species remaining. People also set fires to clear their farmland and these fires further 

destroy the natural habitats. 

Protected forest lands 

Central government. The largest amount of the remaining natural habitat on the mountains is found within 

national Forest Reserves, managed for water catchment and biodiversity conservation, and where forest 

exploitation is not allowed (Figure 1). Almost 200,000 ha of forest and grassland habitats are also protected 

within the Udzungwa Mountains National Park which was gazetted from existing Forest Reserves in 1992. 

Further areas of Forest Reserve have also been, or are in the process of being, upgraded to the status of Nature 

Reserve; this includes the gazetted Kilombero Nature Reserve in Udzungwa Mountains, Uluguru Nature Reserve 

in Uluguru Mountains, Nilo Nature Reserve and the Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains. 

Four other Nature Reserves are in the process of being legally established: Uzungwa Scarp in the Udzungwa, 

Mkingu in the Nguru, Magamba in the West Usambara and Chome in the South Pare. When these are all 

gazetted (expected during 2010) then the largest area of natural habitat within the Eastern Arc will be found 

under the category of Nature Reserve, managed by the Forestry and Beekeeping Division (Figure 1). Small 

areas of forest are also included within the Mikumi and Mkomazi National Parks but, as the total area of Eastern 

Arc forest in these protected areas is less than 1,000 km in each case and the majority of the habitat is savannah 

woodland, these are not considered further. 

In terms of IUCN protected area category, FBD has classified its 4 Nature Reserves and 83 Forest Reserves 

(covering 656,815 ha) in accordance with the IUCN Protected Areas Management Categories system. Most of 

these sites have been allocated to IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area), with a few to IUCN 

Category 1a (Strict Nature Reserve) and 1b (Wilderness Area), and some to IUCN Category VI (Managed 

Resource Protected Area). The Udzungwa Mountains National Park is classified as Category II (National Park). 

All these sites are included in the World Database of Protected Areas maintained by UNEP-WCMC in 

Cambridge, U.K. 

Area (ha) 

250,000 

200,000 

150,000 

100,000 

50,000 

0 

National 

Park 

Nature 

Reserve 

Proposed 

Nature 

Reserve 

National 

FR 

Local 

Authority 

FR 

Management Status 

Village 

FR 

Private 


Figure 1 Land under different categories of reserve and ownership within the Eastern Arc Mountains (January 

2010). Lowland forests transitional between Eastern Arc and coastal forest types have been excluded. 



National Park 

Udzungwa 

Mountain 

NP 

Figure 2 Distribution of Nature Reserves, proposed Nature Reserves and National Park within the Eastern 

Arc Mountains 



Other forest management regimes 

Other forest management regimes amount to a relatively small amount of the total forest (Figure 1). However, 

they fulfil an important ‘buffer’ role, meeting to a significant extent the livelihood needs of local communities and, 

thereby, helping to reduce pressures on the national forest reserves and national park. They are described briefly 

below. 

District. District authorities, under the Prime Ministers Office for Regional and Local Government, also own 

forests within reserves across the Eastern Arc Mountains. In total there are 13,814 ha of Local Authority Forest 

Reserves in the Eastern Arc Mountains region. Typically, these are small reserves with few biological values. 

Village. Several hundred villages are distributed across the Eastern Arc Mountains. In many of these villages 

there are small patches of forest. Village Land Forest Reserves cover 298,897 ha of forest habitat. Other areas 

of forest are either Sacred Forest areas, or uncultivated forest land. 

Private. There are areas of forest on private lands throughout the Eastern Arc Mountains, in particular on tea 

estates in the East and West Usambara and the Udzungwa Mountains. These forest areas are not considered 

this serial nomination, with one exception (Amani Nature Reserve), because of management constraints. 

The distribution of the nationally designated protected areas is shown in Figure 2. Outside of this network of 

protected areas in the Eastern Arc Mountains, most forest has been cleared except in small village burial and 

other sacred sites, a number of district and village Forest Reserves and private estates (as considered above), 

and inaccessible areas. A list of protected forest lands within the Eastern Arc Mountains is provided in Annex 3. 

IDENTIFICATION OF CORE AREAS TO INCLUDE IN THE SERIAL PROPERTY 

As intimated in the introductory section explaining the nomination process, comprehensive databases of plant 

and animal species endemic to the eastern Arc Mountains were used to identify the most important of the 13 

mountain blocks and the most outstanding protected areas within them for inclusion within this serial nomination. 

This and other information, concerning site integrity and state of protection and management, was assessed in 

relation to OUV (Outstanding University Value) criteria, to define the World Heritage property. 

Selection of Mountain Blocks 

The results of an analysis of plant and vertebrate data concerning the known distribution species endemic to the 

Eastern Arc Mountains are shown in Figures 3 and 4. The 13 mountain blocks are ranked according to the 

number of species confined to a single mountain block (block endemic). 

Taken together, the results of the analyses are largely complementary and show that the most important 

mountain blocks for endemic plants and vertebrates in Tanzania are Uluguru, Udzungwa, East and West 

Usambara, and Nguru. Biodiversity within each of these mountain blocks is protected to some extent within one 

or more nature reserves (a number of which are in the process of being notified during 2010) and, in the case of 

the Udzungwa Mountains, a national park. None of the other mountain blocks currently has any natures reserves 

(or national parks), except for South Pare where Chome is due to be notified as a Nature Reserve in 2010. 

This assessment is further supported by the results of an analysis of endemic and near endemic 1 threatened 2 

vertebrates found in the different mountain blocks (Figure 5). Blocks with the highest numbers of threatened 

species are Udzungwa, Uluguru, East Usambara, Nguru, West Usambara and Rubeho. 

1 Near-endemic is defined as also occurring within one other African ecoregion (Burgess et al., 2007). 

2 The term threatened is used in the case of species classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable in the 

IUCN Red List (2009). 



No. taxa 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

Uluguru 

Udzungwa 

W. Usambara 

E. Usambara 

Nguru 

ENDEMIC PLANTS 

Mahenge 

Taita 

S. Pare 

Mountain Block 

Other Eastern Arc endemic taxa 

Single mountain block endemic taxa 

Ukaguru 

Figure 3 Importance of Eastern Arc mountain blocks for plants, ranked according to the number of plant taxa 

endemic to each block. Also shown is the total number of endemic plant taxa present in each block. 

No. species 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Udzungwa 

Nguru 

Uluguru 

E. Usambara 

Rubeho 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism 26 

N. Pare 

ENDEMIC VERTEBRATES 

Taita 

W. Usambara 

Ukaguru 

Rubeho 

Mahenge 

S. Pare 

Mountain Block 

Malundwe 

Malundwe 

N. Pare 

Nguu 

Other Eastern Arc endemic species 

Single mountain block endemic species 

Figure 4 Importance of Eastern Arc mountain blocks for vertebrates, ranked according to the number of species 

endemic to each block. Also shown is the total number of endemic vertebrates present in each block. 

Number of threatened species 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Udzungwa 

Uluguru 

E. Usambara 

Nguru 

W. Usambara 

Rubeho 

Ukaguru 

Mahenge 

Figure 5 Importance of Eastern Arc mountain blocks for threatened endemic and near-endemic vertebrates 

Nguu 

S. Pare 

Taita 

N. Pare 

Nguu 

Malundwe


This assessment is further supported by the results of an analysis of endemic and near endemic 3 threatened 4 

vertebrates found in the different mountain blocks (Figure 5). Blocks with the highest numbers of threatened 

species are Udzungwa, Uluguru, East Usambara, Nguru, West Usambara and Rubeho. 

Based on the above considerations, Uluguru, Udzungwa, East and West Usambara, Nguru and South Pare 

have been selected for representation by protected areas in the serial nomination. South Pare is included 

in order to provide for a greater spatial distribution of mountain blocks (Map 1, Executive Summary), given the 

forthcoming notification of Chome Nature Reserve which is also an Important Bird Area. 

Selection of sites 

The same set of data for Eastern Arc Mountain endemic plants and vertebrates was used to identify individual 

protected areas for inclusion in the serial nomination. In the case of vertebrates it was possible to identify the 

total number of endemics within a given site, as well as endemics found only in that site. For plants the analysis 

was limited to single site endemics as data held in the TROPICOS database, maintained by Missouri Botanical 

Gardens, are currently not organised to provide total numbers of species recorded from an individual site. 

No. endemic tatxa 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Single Site Endemics - Plants 

Uluguru NR 

Mkingu pNR 

Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Amani NR 

Uzungwa Scarp pNR 

Lulanda FR 

Sali FR 

Shagayu FR 

North Mamiwa Kisara FR 

Muhulu FR 

Chome pNR 

Kasigau FR 

Kigogo FR 

Mufindi Scarp East FR 

Mamiwa Kisara FR 

Kimboza FR 

Mkungwe FR 

Mtai FR 

Nilo NR 

Mahenge Scarp FR 

Mkomazi GR 

Image FR 

Kilombero NR 

Kitemele FR 

Baga II FR 

Chambogo (B) FR 

Mafi Hill FR 

Magamba pNR 

Mkusu FR 

Figure 6 Importance of Eastern Arc protected areas for plants, ranked according to the number of taxa endemic 

to each block. 

Results from an analysis of these data are shown in Figures 6 and 7, respectively, for Eastern Arc endemic 

plants and vertebrates, with protected areas ranked according to the number of species confined to a single site 

(single site endemic). The most important protected areas for single site endemic plants are Uluguru Nature 

Reserve, with an exceptionally high number of 68 species endemic to the site, Mkingu proposed Nature Reserve 

and Amani Nature Reserve. In the case of single site endemic vertebrates, the most important protected areas in 

Tanzania are Mkingu proposed Nature Reserve, Uluguru Nature Reserve, Uzungwa Scarp proposed Nature 

Reserve, Amani Nature Reserve, Udzungwa Mountains National Park and Kanga Forest Reserve. Also notable 

is Taita Hills in Kenya (ranked third with respect to site endemics), which is exceptional given its small extent of 

forest (approximately 12 km 2 ). Next in importance are Kilombero and Nilo Nature Reserves, with fewer site 

endemics but a comparatively high complement of endemic species, followed by Chome and Magamba 

proposed Nature Reserves, and 2 Forest Reserves (Mamiwa Kisara and Sali) and 1 private estate (Mazumbai). 

3 Near-endemic is defined as also occurring within one other African ecoregion (Burgess et al., 2007). 

4 The term threatened is used in the case of species classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable in the 

IUCN Red List (2009). 



Number of species 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Mkingu pNR 

Uluguru NR 

Taita Hills 

Uzungwa Scarp pNR 

Amani NR 

Kanga FR 

Udzungwa Mts NP 

Mamiwa Kisara N & S 

Chome pNR 

VERTEBRATES 

Kilombero NR 

Magamba pNR 

Mazumbai Pvt 

Nilo NR 

Sali FR 

Ukami FR 

Mafwomero FR 

Magrotto FR 

Mtai FR 

Segoma FR 

Other Eastern Arc endemic species 

Single site endemic species 

Ambangulu FR 

Kwamgumi FR 

Mkungwe FR 

Bamba FR 

Kambai FR 

Kigogo FR 

Ukwiva FR 

Figure 7 Importance of Eastern Arc protected areas for vertebrates, ranked according to the number of species 

endemic to each site. Also shown is the total number of endemic vertebrates for each protected area. 

The 8 nature reserves (Mkingu, Uluguru, Uzungwa Scarp, Amani, Kilombero, Nilo, Chome and Magamba) 

and 1 national park (Udzungwa Mountains) have been selected for inclusion in the serial nomination, 

based on the above considerations, their nature conservation designation and their comparatively larger sizes 

(see Annex 3). Within these 9 protected areas are found 77% of the 170 single-site endemic plant taxa, 70% of 

the 47 single-site endemic vertebrates and 76% of the 118 vertebrates endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

This series of core areas that comprise the World Heritage nomination are spatially well distributed across the 

Eastern Arc Mountains (Map 1, Executive Summary) and feature much of the Outstanding Universal Value that 

is contained within these Mountains. 

Future additions to the series 

Biological surveys are not evenly distributed across the Eastern Arc Mountains, despite the huge investments of 

time and resources in the last few decades. Amongst the sites included in this serial nomination, Amani, Nilo, 

Uluguru, Mkingu and Kilombero nature reserves have all been intensively surveyed for biodiversity. However, 

Chome, Magamba and Uzungwa Scarp proposed nature reserves and the Udzungwa Mountains National Park 

have not been so intensively investigated and this may have influenced their ranking in Figures 6 and 7. 

There are also some well-surveyed reserves that do not rank highly in the assessment (Figures 6 and 7) and 

these are not expected to be found of critical importance with respect to the World Heritage List, even with further 

surveys. Such sites include the forest in North Pare Mountains and most of the forests in the Mufindi portion of 

the Udzungwa Mountains. 

Other mountain blocks of potential global importance for biodiversity include Mahenge, Ukaguru, Rubeho and, in 

Kenya, Taita Hills, all of which support a small number of plant and vertebrate species endemic to a single 

mountain block (Figures 3 and 4). Other fairly well-surveyed sites in Tanzania of potential Outstanding Universal 

Value for biodiversity are: Sali Forest Reserve (Mahenge Block), Mafwomero Forest Reserve (Rubeho), 

Mamiwa-Kisara Forest Reserve (Ukaguru), Kanga Forest Reserve (Nguru), and the gradation to lowlands in 

Derema / Kwamgumi / Segoma / Kambai forest reserves (East Usambara). These sites fall within the 

aforementioned mountain blocks or, in the case of East Usambaras, are already represented within the serial 

nomination. However, all of these sites lack adequate legal protection status and management provisions and, 

therefore, do not merit inclusion in the Eastern Arc Mountains Forests serial property at this time. It is anticipated 

that these and perhaps some other reserves will merit inclusion in the serial property at an appropriate time in the 

future. There is also the potential for this serial property to become a transnational serial property, with the 

addition of the Taita Hills by the Government of Kenya. 



SOUTH PARE MOUNTAIN BLOCK 

This mountain block is wholly confined to Same District in Kilimanjaro region. It reaches up to 2,463 m altitude. 

The area is heavily populated with about 94,837 people distributed across 49 villages in the highlands. Most of 

the land outside the government reserves and village and traditionally managed forest patches is farmland. 

The forest habitat ranges from sub-montane to montane and upper montane, with areas of montane heath in 

Chome. Common tree species include Parinari excelsa in the sub-montane forest and species such as Octotea 

usambarensis, Albizia gummifera and Podocarpus latifolius in the montane forests. 

Biodiversity 

The biodiversity values of the South Pare Mountains are moderate with 1 strictly endemic vertebrate animal, the 

South Pare white-eye (Zosterops winifredae) and eight other vertebrate species that are confined to the Eastern 

Arc Mountains. Similar moderate rates of endemism are seen in plants, with six vascular reports endemic to the 

South Pare. The Chome forest has been fairly well surveyed for biodiversity, but the other forests are not known. 

In particular there has been little study of the amphibians and reptiles. 

Threats 

The Chome forest reserve has been logged over many years for its valuable timber species, but intense efforts 

by the government have brought the situation under some control. The higher staffing levels afforded by the 

status of Nature Reserve, when declared, will further address this issue in the future. Fire is also a management 

challenge in the South Pare Mountains, and when forests are damaged by fire they can be invaded by the alien 

tree species black wattle and Eucalyptus. 

Core elements of the World Heritage property. Chome proposed Nature Reserve, which covers some 14,282 ha. 

Buffer elements of the World Heritage property. Immediately surrounding Chome are some small local authority 

Forest Reserves: Chongweni, Gonja and Kankoma. These reserves total around 250 ha. 

Other reserves in the South Pare Mountains. The following reserves also contain natural habitat: Chambogo, 

Kiranga-Hengae, Kankoma, Kisiwani, Vumari, Kwizu, Maganda, two proposed Forest Reserves (Kwamwenda, 

Mwala) and three proposed Village Forest Reserves (Dido, Mambugi, Ishereto) supporting Eastern Arc forest. 

These total around 7,000 ha. 



CHOME PROPOSED NATURE RESERVE 

Name of site: Chome 

Designation: Forest Reserve 

Proposed Nature Reserve 

Gazette notification: Government Notice No. 125 (Boundary maps: JB 338, JB 339 and JB 340, 1957) 

Date of notification: 25/5/1951 (followed by Variation Order No. 303 of 20/6/1958) 

Land ownership: Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism 

Area (ha): 14,283 ha 

Location 

Centre point: Between 4 0 10’ - 4 0 24 South and 37 0 53` - 38 0 00` East 

Districts: Same 

Mountain Block: South Pare 

Brief description 

Geography: Chome lies on the highest ridges and plateau of the ancient crystalline South Pare 

Mountains, which are rich in mica deposits, with rock faces exposed at higher altitudes. 

Basement rocks are gneiss and magmatite pre-Cambrian crystalline. The Reserve has a 

high catchment value due to the high rainfall and its extensive forest cover. 

Settlements: Surrounded by 27 villages, with a total population of 60,916 (2008) whose main activities 

are agriculture and subsistence livestock farming. 

Altitudinal range: 1,250 – 2,463 m (Mt Shengena, the highest peak of South Pare) 

Climate: Estimated annual rainfall is 1,400 mm. The short rains are between November and 

December and long rains between March and May. Eastern slopes receive more rainfall 

than western slopes, with a mist effect at higher altitudes. Temperature ranges between 

15 o C minimum (July) and 20 o C maximum (February). 

Vegetation: Main vegetation types are submontane, montane and upper montane forest. Montane 

forest occurs above 1,500 m, with a drier type on lower slopes and rainshadow areas, and 

a wetter type covering about 60% of the Reserve mainly on eastern and western slopes of 

valleys at 2,000 – 2,300m. Ocotea usambarensis is the dominant emergent tree, with 

specimens 45 m in height and 2 m in diameter being common. Moss-covered upper 

montane forest occurs above 2,300 m, with elfin forest on the highest ridges. Primary 

heath, dominated by Erica arborea, occurs along rocky ridges in shallow, acidic soils; 

secondary heath and grassland have colonized large areas between 1,600 m and 2,000 m 

in drier montane forest that have been subject to fires. 

Species diversity: Plant and animal surveys have been undertaken in 1999-2001. Plant collections are 

entered on the TROPICOS database, maintained by the Missouri Botanical Gardens. 

Some 20 plant species are of particular interest including: Manikara bakuzi which was 

previously reported from Southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Northern and Central Kenya; 

Penteria adolf-frederecii sub sp. keniensis which was previously reported only from Kenya, 

with a tentative record from the Themi River near Arusha; Melletia oblate sub sp. tentesis 

and Coffea fadenii, which were previously considered endemic to Taita Hills in Kenya; 

Manikara obovata which was known from West and Central Africa, Zambia, Angola and in 

Tanzania only from Bukoba and Musoma District; Macaranga modadra and Rytigynia 

unbelluata which are Guinea Congolean species previously known in Tanzania only from 

Bukoba, Kigoma and Mpanda District; Pouteria adolf, friedericii sub sp. australis which 

was previously reported from the Zambia/Malawi border; and South Western Tanzania 

and Mistrostigma usambarensis, which was considered endemic to the Usambara. 



Summary of biodiversity values: 

Taxonomic 

group 

There is remarkable variation in term of species composition between the northern and 

southern parts of Chome and between leeward and windward sides. Studies also indicate 

that the western side is richer in species than the eastern side (Phillips, 2000). 

No. species. No. endemic 

species 

No. threatened 

endemic/ nearendemic 

species 

OUV - Site endemic species 

No. endemic spp. No. threatened 

endemic species 

Flora *500 not compiled not compiled 0 not compiled 

Amphibians 2 2 0 0 

Reptiles 1 0 0 0 

Birds 94 3 1 1 1 

Mammals 2 2 0 0 

Vertebrates 8 5 1 1 

*Woody plant species (2001 draft management plan) 

Management Plan 

Period: 2009/10 – 2013/14 

Status: Prepared September 2009 and awaiting approval 

Staffing: Currently there is 11 staff, with 1 conservator, 3 technical officers and 7 forest assistants and beat 

officers. A total complement of 55 staff is planned for 2010/11. 

Budget: The total budget for the five year period is T.Shs 3,368.5 million. The Work Plan for 2009/10 is 

budgeted at T.Shs 897,459,000. 

Goal: The entire Chome proposed Nature Reserve will be managed primarily to protect biodiversity, water 

catchments and cultural values. 

Objectives: There are seven objectives for the proposed Nature Reserve: 

� To preserve habitats, ecosystems and species in as undisturbed state as possible. 

� To maintain genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state. 

� To maintain established ecological processes. 

� To safeguard structural landscape features or rock exposures objectives continue. 

� To secure examples of the natural environmental for scientific studies, environmental 

� monitoring and education, including baseline areas from which all avoidable access is 

� excluded. 

� To minimise disturbance by careful planning and execution of research and 

� other approved activities, and. 

� To limit public access. 





WEST USAMBARA MOUNTAIN BLOCK 

The West Usambara Mountains are found mainly in Lushoto District, but a smaller area also occurs in Korogwe 

District. This mountain block ranges up to 2,200m altitude. The area is very highly populated with about 18,1011 

distributed over 215 villages. Most land outside of government reserves and small scared forest patches is 

converted to farmland. 

The forests of the area are diverse and range from sub-montane to upper montane in type. These forests are of 

a wetter type than those of the Pare Mountains further west. Common trees in sub-montane forest are Newtonia 

buchananii, Parinari excelsa, Albizia gummifera and Allanblackia stuhlmannii. 

Biodiversity 

The West Usambara Mountains have high biodiversity value and support four strictly endemic vertebrates (two 

amphibians and two birds) and another 21 vertebrate species that are only found in the Eastern Arc. There are 

also 34 vascular plants confined to the West Usambara block. This high biodiversity value is also found in 

invertebrates. Although biodiversity surveys are probably not complete, some parts of the West Usambara 

forests have been well studied over the past 100 years. 

Threats 

In the past areas of natural forest in the West Usambara Mountains were converted to plantations, including 

within the area being upgraded to the Magamba Nature Reserve. There have also been challenges in the past 

from illegal logging, gold mining and farmland encroachment. Government is working to address these 

challenges. 

Core elements of the World Heritage property. Magamba proposed Nature Reserve (c. 8,700 ha), which 

comprises the natural forest parts of the larger former Shume Magamba Forest Reserve (12,225 ha) . 

Buffer elements of the World Heritage property. The closest reserve containing natural forest is Mkusu Forest 

Reserve (3,674 ha), which almost abuts Magamba in a couple of places. 

Other reserves in the West Usambara Mountains. There are a number of other reserves in the West Usambaras 

that will take some pressure off the proposed Magamba Nature Reserve. These comprise 23 gazetted Forest 

Reserves (Mzinga, Baga – I, Baga –II, Kisima Gonja, Balangai West, Ndelemai, Shagayu, Shume, Mweni 

Gombero, Kisimagonja, Mahezangulu, Bumba Mavumbi, Kikongoloi, Manka, Bombo Makole, Baghoi, 

Kwebagu/Hebangwe, Kwenyashu, Shambalai, Mtumbi, Kitara ridge), 11 proposed Village Forest Reserves in 

Lushoto District (Mzongoti, Chambogo, Kwamongo, Kifulio, Dindira, Shukilai, Sekigoto, Yumbu, Mazashai, 

Tanda, Deai). There is also one private forest, Mazumbai. and 3 Private (tea estate) forests (Ambangulu, 

Dindira, Lutindi (KKKT)). In total around 20,000 ha of forest is protected in these ways. 



MAGAMBA PROPOSED NATURE RESERVE 

Name of site: Magamba 



Gazette notification: Magamba was originally established as Shume Mgamba Forest Reserve in 1942, 

subsequently described in GN No. 417, JB 572 of 1963. This site of 12,000 ha was 

resurveyed in November 2008 with a view to upgrading the natural forest to Nature 

Reserve status and notifying some 4,000 ha of plantations as Shume-Magamba Plantation 

Forest. The boundary of the proposed Magamba Nature Reserve is defined in JB 2568. 

Date of notification: Notified as Forest Reserve in 1942; currently scheduled to be notified as a nature reserve 

in April 2010. 


Area (ha): 8,700 ha 

Location 

Centre point: 4°40'S and 38°15'E 

Districts: Lushoto 

Mountain Block: West Usambara 


Geography: Magamba is the largest among the 14 forest reserves in Lushoto District that lies within the 

Eastern Arc Mountains. Geologically, the basement blocks of the Usambaras have been 

comparatively stable for more than 20 million years (Wiersum et al., 1985), believed to 

contribute to the high biodiversity value of the forest. They comprise a complex series of 

ancient metamorphic rocks, assigned to the Usambara system of Precambrian rocks. 

Texturally rock types are grannies, often intruded by quartzite veins. Much repetition of 

outcrop occurs due to complex fold movements, although the rock sequence tends to be 

fairly uniform. Slopes are steep to gently undulating and are intersected at their base by 

narrow flat valleys. Magamba is an important water catchment, with some 28 streams and 

five dams. 

Settlements: 17 villages border the Nature Reserve, comprising a total population of 58,996 (2008). 

Altitudinal range: Altitude ranges from 1650 to the peak of Kwahondo at some 2300 m. The land drops 

sharply to the west of Shume on the edge of West Usambara scarp (URT, 2003). 

Climate: Cool conditions prevail throughout much of the year, with temperatures ranging between 

15°C and 21°C from June to September. Temperature ranges between 25°C and 30°C 

during the hot season (October – December). Mean annual rainfall is 1200 mm, with long 

rains from mid-March to May and short rains between October and December.. 

Vegetation: Comprises sub-montane and upper montane forests, wetter than those of the Pare 

Mountains further west. Wet montane forests are dominated by camphor (Ocotea 

usambarensis), with some podo (Podocarpus usambarensis and P. pensiculy), and have 

dense undergrowth of Lansthus cirumilee and other shrubs. Associated species include 

Ficalhoa, Pygium, Rapanea, Fagaropsis and Cassipourea. Dry montane forest occurs in 

the northern and western portions of Shume and consists mainly of cedar (Juniperus 

procera), with a thick shrub understorey of Fuclea, Teclea and Catha species (Kiboga & 

Machange 2005). Other vegetation types include grasslands and shrublands, with heather 

and Philippia sp. 




Taxonomic 

group 

No. species* No. endemic 

species 


endemic/ nearendemic 

species 


No. endemic spp. No. threatened 


Flora not compiled not compiled not compiled 1 not compiled 



Birds 4 2 1 1 


Vertebrates not compiled 8 8 1 1 

Management Plan (MNRT 2009b) 

Period: 2009/10 – 2013/14 

Status: Management plan for Magamba Nature Reserve prepared September 2009 and is approved. 

Staffing: Currently 8 staff, of which 7 are Forest Assistants and include 3 serving as Rangers. Recruitment 

scheduled in the management plan for 2009/10 is 1 Conservator, 4 graduates, 2 Range Officers 

and 4 Beat Officers. A total complement of 33 staff is planned for 2010/11. 

Budget: T.Shs 1.986 billion over 5 years, from which T.Shs 635 million was due to be allocated in 2008/09 

and T.Shs 590 million in 2009/10. Income from tourism, sale of confiscated forest products and 

fines totalled T.Shs 1.9 million in 2007/08. The Norwegian Government has supported projects 

since 1997/98. 

Goal: “To protect and ensure stability of unique habitat for sustainable water flow and increased 

environmental, cultural and biodiversity values.” 

Objectives: To guarantee a permanent and good water supply for domestic, rural and urban use, as well as 

agricultural, hydroelectric and industrial use. 

To conserve the biodiversity of the forest. 

To protect unique sites/landscape. 

To increase the flow of benefits to local comminities. 

To increase returns from efficient management of the reserve. 





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. 



AMANI NATURE RESERVE 

Name of site: Amani 

Designation: Nature Reserve 

Gazette notification: Amani was created a nature reserve from an amalgamation of six forest reserves 

(Kwamkoro, Kwamsambia, Mnyuzi Scarp, Amani Zigi, Amani East and Amani West) under 

Government Notice Nos. 151 and 152. 

Date of notification: 8/05/1997 

Land ownership: Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism 

Area (ha): 8,380 ha (This includes 1,065 ha of submontane forest that was donated by the East 

Usambara Tea Company under a Forest Dedication Covenant in 1997). 

Location 

Centre point: Latitude 5 o 05’ - 5 o 14’ S and Longitude 38 o 40‘ - 38 o 32’ E 

Districts: Muheza and Korogwe districts 

Mountain Block: East Usambara 


Geography: Amani is the largest forested block within the East Usambara Mountains and occupies the 

southern extremity of these mountains. The catchment is drained by Zigi River and its 

tributaries (Nanguruwe, Dondwe Kekuyu and Kihuhwi), which supplies water to Tanga 

Town as well as Hale and Pangani hydropower stations in the Lwengera Valley. 

In common with other parts of the East Usambara Mountains, the geology of Amani 

comprises ancient crystalline rocks, which belong to the Precambrian Usagara system. 

These are dominated by gneiss, with lesser amounts of granulites and amphibolites. The 

faulting that resulted in the uplift of the mountain block occurred at least 25 million years 

ago and, as suggested by the level of endemism, possibly over 100 million years ago. 

Settlements: 17 villages lie within the immediate periphery of the Nature Reserve. A further 2 villages lie 

within enclaves where tea estates, established in the 1940s, continue to operate. The 19 

villages comprise a total population of 26,798. 

Altitudinal range: Approximately 300 - 1128 m (Kimbo Peak), with a central plateau having a mean altitude 

of 930 m. The western side borders Lwengera Valley and rises sharply from lowlands at 

150-300 m to form rocky escarpments, such as Mnyuzi Scarp. 

Climate: The proximity (40 km) of the Indian Ocean contributes to a high annual rainfall. Amani is 

the wettest of all the East Usambara forest blocks, with at least 100 mm rain falling in most 

months. Monthly rainfall peaks in excess of 300 mm in April-May and reaches about 150 

mm in October-December. Mean annual humidity is 87 % in the morning and 77 % at 

midday. Mean annual temperature at Amani Conservation Centre (900 m) is 20.6 o C, with 

mean daily minimum and maximum temperature of 16.3 o C and 24.9 o C, respectively. The 

hottest season is January-February and the coolest is July-September. 

Vegetation: The two main forest types are semi-deciduous forests in the lowlands, particularly Mnyuzi 

Scarp with its lower rainfall, and tall luxuriant submontane evergreen forests in the 

mountains above 750 m, where rainfall is higher and the largest trees reach 65 m in height. 

Other biotopes include dry bushland (2%), grassland, barren rocky area and waterbodies 

(all < 1%). Dense submontane forest covers about half and dense lowland forest about one 

third of the Nature Reserve. 

Amani Botanical Gardens (340 ha) lie within the periphery of the Nature Reserve. 

Established in 1902, it holds over 1,000 species from around the world. This has 

contributed to some 6 % (520 ha) of former submontane forests having been invaded by 

exotic species, such as Maesopsis eminii, Cedrella odorata, and palm trees. 

Species diversity: Common tree species include Cephalosphaera usambarensis, Allanblackia stuhlmannii, 

Albizia gummifera, Beilschmiedia kweo, Diospyros abyssinica, Englerodendron 

usambarense and Drypetes gerrardii. Epiphytic lichens and bryophytes are abundant 

especially in steep summits. 




Taxonomic 

group 


species 


endemic/ near- No. endemic 

endemic species spp. 




Flora not compiled not compiled not compiled 16 taxa not compiled 



Birds 2 3 0 0 




Period: 5 years from date of approval 

Status: Prepared September 2009; and now approved. 

Staffing: Currently (2009/10) 30 staff, 15 of whom are permanent and 15 supported by a range of projects. 

An increment of 10 supporting staff (1 stores officer and 9 watchmen) is required. 

Budget: Expenditure is budgeted at T.Shs 847,167,000 over 5 years. Income from various sources, 

including funds from external donors, is budgeted at T.Shs 840,824,150. In 2006/07 running costs 

were T.Shs 200-230 million. 

Objectives: “To protect the unique, biologically important sub-montane rain forest ecosystem of the East 

Usambara Mountains; and 

To maintain biodiversity, genetic resources, natural processes and cultural values in an 

undisturbed, dynamic and evolutionary state in order to have ecologically representative example 

of the Eastern Arc forest ecosystem available for present and future generations, scientific study, 

environmental monitoring, education and sustainable and controlled local and recreational use.” 

NILO NATURE RESERVE 

Name of site: Nilo 


Gazette notification: Nilo was upgraded from a Forest Reserve to Nature Reserve in accordance with 

Government Notice No. 234 (Boundary Map JB 2229). 


Land ownership: Forest and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism 

Area (ha): 6,225 ha 

Location 

Centre point: Lies between S 4 0 50’-59’ E 38 0 37’-41’’and S 4 0 55’00’’ E 38 0 40’ 00’’ 

Districts: Korogwe, Muheza and Mkinga districts 

Mountain Block: East Usambara 


Geography: Nilo lies in the north-west part of the East Usambara Mountains. Its geology is similar to 

other parts of the East Usambaras, as described for Amani. Nilo is a Y-shaped ridge 

system, with an eastern arm that lies close to Semdoe Forest Reserve and a western arm 

that looks across the Lwengera Valley to the West Usambaras. A central ridge runs along 

its southern leg towards the proposed Derema Forest Reserve that abuts Amani Nature 

Reserve. There are two main peaks: Nilo (1,506 m) in the north-west and Lutindi (1,400 m) 

to the south west, from where there is a 360 degree view of the East and West 

Usambaras. 

Settlements: 16 villages, having a total population of 28,960, surround the Nature Reserve. 

Altitudinal range: 400 m – 1,506 m 



Climate: Rain falls in all months of the year but peaks bi-modally in March-May and September- 

December, with intervening drier seasons. Mean annual rainfall is 1,700 mm, increasing 

from 1,200 mm in the foothills to over 2,200 mm at higher altitudes. West-facing slopes are 

drier to those exposed to the east. Temperature ranges from 17.6 0 C at higher altitudes to 

23.1 0 C in the foothills. 

Vegetation: The main vegetation types are: dense montane forest (30% cover) above1,250 m, submontane 

forest (60%) at 850-1,250 m and lowland forest (10%) below 850 m. These 

percentages are approximate as it is also recorded in the management plan that 

deforested areas of shrubs and grass cover about 15% of the Nature Reserve. The submontane 

forest can be exceptionally tall and luxuriant, with the largest trees reaching 58 m 

in height in favourable sites. 

Species diversity: Frontier Tanzania (2002) recorded a total of 739 species of woody plants and herbs, 

representative of 127 families, of which 207 were from vegetation plots and the rest were 

recorded opportunistically. 


Taxonomic 

group 

No. species*. No. endemic 

species 







Flora 739 not compiled not compiled 1 not compiled 

Amphibians 35 7 12 0 0 

Reptiles 41 4 2 0 0 

Birds 97 5 5 1 1 

Mammals **47 1 3 0 0 


*Frontier Tanzania (2002) **Includes 15 species of bats (Frontier Tanzania 2002). 


Period: 2008/2009 – 2012/2013 

Status: Prepared June 2009 and approved 11 November 2009. 

Staffing: The earlier complement of 11 staff was increased to 15 (1 Conservator, 1 Assistant Conservator, I 

Research/Training Officer, 2 Drivers and 10 Forest Assistants) following the recent approval of the 

management plan. A total of 45 staff is required (including 1 Conservator, 1 Assistant Conservator, 

1 Research/Training Officer, 1 Tourism Officer, 4 Field officers, 4 Forest Assistants, 4 Forest 

Attendants, 4 Tour Guides and 17 support staff, as listed in the management plan). 

Budget: T.Shs 6,216,775,512 for whole plan period, divided into T.Shs 1,434,012,025 as recurrent and 

T.Shs 4,782,763,487 as development budget. This budget is based on government and external 

funding. 

Objectives: To preserve habitats, ecosystems and species in as undisturbed a state as possible. 

To maintain genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state. 

To maintain established ecological processes. 

To safeguard structural landscape features or rock exposures. 

To secure examples of the natural environment for scientific studies, environmental monitoring and 

education, including baseline areas from which all avoidable access is excluded. 

To minimise disturbance by careful planning and execution of research and other approved 

activities. 

To limit public access. 







ULUGURU MOUNTAIN BLOCK 

The Uluguru Mountains are found within Morogoro Rural District (majority), Mvomero District and Morogoro 

Municipality – all within Morogoro Region. The main part of the Uluguru Mountains is a ridge running 

approximately north-south and rising to 2,630 m altitude at their highest point. The greater Ulugurus area 

also includes a number of isolated massifs surrounding the main block – Kitulangh’alo, Dindili, Mkumgwe, 

Mindu and Nguru ya Ndege. On the main Uluguru ridge, 50 villages touch the forest boundary of the Uluguru 

Nature Reserve and over 151,000 people are found within the mountain area, often at increasing densities 

at higher altitudes up to the forest boundary. 

The vegetation of the Uluguru main ridge and the outlying blocks is extremely variable. It ranges from drier 

lowland miombo woodlands, to lowland coastal forests, transitional rainforests, and to sub-montane, 

montane and upper montane forest types. It also includes an area of afromontane grasslands on the 

Lukwangule plateau. All these habitats are rich in endemic species and are all of high conservation priority. 

Biodiversity 

In terms of endemic species the Uluguru Mountains possess at least 12 single block endemic vertebrates 

(five amphibians, three birds, one mammal and three reptiles). There are at least another three species of 

amphibians that await description. A further 39 Eastern Arc endemic vertebrates occur. For plants at least 

78 vascular plants are found only on this mountain block. The forests of the main ridge are quite well known 

biologically, although each new survey continues to find additional species. The outlying blocks are poorly 

known, with some having almost no biological investigation. 

Threats 

The main challenges to the management of the Uluguru Mountains are fires that spread from farmlands and 

into the forest, intensive fire wood collection in higher, colder and more densely populated areas, 

deforestation of unprotected forests (in the north), and the presence of invasive species (Rubus in the south 

and Maesopsis in the north). 

Core elements of the World Heritage property. Uluguru Nature Reserve (the former Uluguru South, Uluguru 

North, Bunduki Forest Reserves and some unprotected land). This covers 24,115.09 ha. 

Buffer elements of the World Heritage property. No reserves abut the Uluguru Nature Reserve, which is 

surrounded by dense farmland. Some degraded forest areas are found to the north-east of the reserve, and 

these areas were forest until 2000. They have long been proposed as a Village Forest Reserve. There is 

also a tongue of forest extending from the north-western edge of the reserve down a river valley. 

Other reserves in the Uluguru range. The following reserves are found in the Uluguru range: Kasanga, 

Mkangala, Mlaliwila, Ngambaula, Kimboza and Shikurufumi Forest Reserves. There is also forest in the 

reserves in five outlier mountain blocks (Mkungwe, Nguru ya Ndege, Dindili, Kitulang'halo, Mindu). In total 

these cover around 10,000 ha of miombo woodland and dry to wet forest habitat. 



ULUGURU NATURE RESERVE 

Name: Uluguru 


Gazette notification: Government Notice No. 296 



Area (ha): 24,115.09 ha 

Location 

Centre point: 6 0 51’-7 0 01’S and 37 0 37’-37 0 45’E 

Districts: Mvomero and Morogoro districts, Morogoro Municipality 

Mountain Block: Uluguru 


Geography: Uluguru Nature Reserve comprises the former Uluguru North, Uluguru South, Bunduki 

I and Bunduki II forest reserves and Bunduki corridor, where the forest is being 

restored to provide for biological connectivity between northern and southern parts of 

the Nature Reserve. 

Settlements: A total of 57 villages, comprising 91,426 persons, surround the Nature Reserve. Most 

of these villages are located adjacent to its boundary. 

Altitudinal range: 600 m (Bunduki Gap) – 2,638 m (Kimhandu) 

Climate: The Uluguru Mountains are the wettest part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, receiving 

up to 4,000 mm rainfall per annum. Rainfall has been correlated with plant species 

richness. 

Vegetation: Comprises sub montane (below 1,500 m), montane (1,600-2,400 m) and upper 

montane (above 2,400 m) forests, as well as grassland with swampy areas at 

Lukwangule Plateau, and Kimhandu and Lupanga peaks. 

Species diversity: In general, species richness decreases with altitude but the number of endemic 

species is greater at higher altitudes. Lukwangule Plateau and Bondwa Hill, for 

example, have higher concentrations of endemic species than elsewhere. Biodiversity 

surveys have been undertaken by Frontier (2005). 


Taxonomic 

group 


species 







Flora not compiled not compiled *28 68 not compiled 



Birds 7 7 3 2 




Period: 2009/10 – 2013/14 

Status: prepared November 2009 and approved 16 October 2009. 

Staffing: Currently 12 field and technical staff, plus 2 drivers), of which 6 are based in the Nature 

Reserve. 

An additional 23 staff is required (2 Secretaries, 1 Personnel administration officer, 1 Store 

keeper, 1 Cashier, 1 Accountant, 2 Office attendants, 2 Tour guides, 4 Office security guards, 

5 Beats in charges, 2 Ranger in charge, 1 Forest development officer, 1 New innovations 

officer). 



Budget: USD 2,354,659 (T.Shs 3,061,057,000) over five years (2009/10-2010/14) 

Goal “To protect the unique, biologically important rain forest ecosystem of the Uluguru Nature 

Reserve and to maintain biodiversity, genetic resources, natural processes and cultural values 

in an undisturbed, dynamic and evolutionary state in order to have ecologically representative 

example of the Eastern Arc forest ecosystem available for present and future generations as 

well as to enhance scientific study, environmental monitoring, environmental education, and 

sustainable controlled local and recreational use.” 

Objective: “To maintain biodiversity status, ecosystem services/functions, water catchment values (water 

quality and quantity) and improve livelihoods of the UNR‘s adjacent communities through 

poverty eradication mechanism.” 





NGURU MOUNTAIN BLOCK 

The Nguru Mountains are located in Morogoro Rural District in Morogoro Region. There is the main Nguru block 

and a large isolated outlier at Kanga. These mountains range up to 2,400 m altitude in Nguru South. Villages 

from nine wards surround the reserves. The total population in the immediate vicinity of the Nguru mountain is 

over 61,250 people. 

The forest vegetation is highly varied according to altitude. Lowland rain forest occurs between 300-900 m in 

valleys of the eastern slopes, between 300 and 900 m altitude. Submontane forest covers a large area between 

900 and 1,400 m in the eastern valleys with fragments on the western slopes at 1400-1,500 m. Montane forest 

occurs between 1,400 and 1,800 m with moss covered upper montane forest at higher altitudes, and drier 

montane forests on the western side above Maskati mission at 1,600-2,000 m. Heath occurs on the upper ridges 

above 2,000 m, with some isolated stands as low as 1,200 m where soil conditions do not permit forest growth. 

Biodiversity 

In terms of biodiversity the Nguru Mountains have very high importance, much of this being discovered in the 

past 5 years. Current knowledge indicates that there are 14 single block endemics (13 amphibians and 1 reptile) 

and a further 44 Eastern Arc endemic vertebrate species. For vascular plants there are also 28 Eastern Arc 

endemic species. Some of these species are not yet described (amphibians). 

Threats 

The challenges to the conservation of the forests in the Nguru mountains come from agricultural encroachment 

and under planting of forest with cardamom and banana, pit sawing of timber and fires. 

Core elements of the World Heritage property: Two Forest Reserves (Mkindu, Nguru South) are in the process of 

being merged into the Mkingu Nature Reserve (26,334 ha), which will form the core element of the World 

Heritage property in the area. 

Buffer elements of the World Heritage property: There are a number of small reserves on the eastern flanks of 

the Nguru Mountains that take some pressure from the proposed nature reserve: Milonge, Diwale, Mgalonga, 

Mabunde-Mtwange Forest Reserves. These are managed by the local authority and cover less than 1,000 ha. 

Other reserves in the Nguru Mountains. There are two other reserves in the Nguru range that contain montane 

to lowland forest habitats: Kanga and Magotwe, with a total area of 7,373 ha. 



MKINGU PROPOSED NATURE RESERVE 

Name of site: Mkingu 



Gazette notification: Mkingu Forest Reserve comprises two former forest reserves, notified as follows: 

▪ Nguru South Forest Reserve: GN No. None, JB 84 and JB 1069 of 1955; and 

▪ Mkindo Forest Reserve: GN No. 409 of 3/12/1954. JB 212 and JB 2034 of 1980. 

Gazettment of the Mkingu Nature Reserve, which comprises all of the demarcated area in 

survey plan JB No. 2620 (1: 50,000) of 2008, is underway. The boundary of the proposed 

Nature Reserve is in the process of being marked by concrete beacons (46% of 256 

beacons are installed). 

Date of notification: Mkingu Nature Reserve is in the process of being notified. 


Area (ha): 23,387.88 ha 

Location 

Centre point: Between latitude 6 ° 01’ - 6 ° 13’ South and longitude 37 ° 26’ - 37 ° 37’ East 

Districts: Mvomero 

Mountain Block: Nguru 


Geography: The landscape is undulating, with sharp broken mountains and some very steep terrain. 

Peaks include Mkindo and Mndela. 

Settlements: 23 villages, comprising a total population of 51,037 (2002 census), surround the proposed 

Nature Reserve, which is isolated from other forest fragments by settlements, Turiani town 

and commercial sugar cane and rice plantations. One of these villages, Ubiri (or Kombola), 

with 1,382 people, is an enclave within the Reserve. 

Altitudinal range: 380 – 2,140 m (Maskati peak) 

Climate: Estimated annual rainfall is 1,200 – 4,000mm. The dry season lasts from June to 

September but it is not marked on the eastern side, which experiences maximum rainfall. 

Maximum temperature ranges from 12 ° C to 24 ° C. 

Vegetation: There are seven vegetation types: lowland rain forest, sub-montane forest, montane forest, 

upper montane forest, drier-montane forests, heath and miombo woodlands (Lovett and 

Pocs, 1993). 

Species diversity: The Nguru Mountains is one of the wettest parts of the Eastern Arc Mountains, with which 

is attributed its higher number of number of endemic plant and animal species than many 

other mountain blocks. 


Taxonomic 

group 


species 









Reptiles 43 14 5 1 0 

Birds 214 4 3 0 0 

Mammals 34 3 2 0 0 

Vertebrates 329 32 25 11 0 


Period: 2009/10 - 2013/14 

Status: Prepared September 2009 and approved on 16 October 2009. 



Staffing: Currently 8 staff, of which 4 are forest attendants based in the field. 

A total of 25 staff is proposed in the management plan, of which 4 will be responsible for forest 

ranges and 4 for beats. 

Budget: T.Shs. 2,346,490,000 over 5 years (2009/10 - 2013/14) 

Goal: “To protect the unique, biologically important rain forest ecosystem of the Nguru mountains and to 

maintain biodiversity, genetic resources, natural processes and cultural values in an undisturbed, 

dynamic and evolutionary state in order to have ecologically representative example of the Eastern 

Arc forest ecosystem available for present and future generations as well as to enhance scientific 

study, environmental monitoring, environmental education, and sustainable controlled local and 

recreational us”. 

Objectives: “To maintain biodiversity status, ecosystem services/functions, water catchment values (water 

quality and quantity) and improve livelihoods of Mkingu Nature Reserve’s adjacent communities 

through poverty eradication mechanism.” 





UDZUNGWA MOUNTAIN BLOCK 

This is the largest of the Eastern Arc blocks stretching across four Districts in central Tanzania. A small part is 

within Kilosa District and a strip of land is within Kilombero District (both Morogoro Region) and the rest is found 

in Kilolo and Mufindi Districts of Iringa Region. The Udzungwa Mountains rise to 2,750 m altitude and there is a 

large plateau area above 1,500 m altitude. There are at least 146 villages in the Udzungwa mountains, 

containing at least 698,295 people. Some areas have high population density, but there are also large areas with 

sparse population and few villages, particularly in the higher areas on the north-western margins of the 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park and the Kilombero Nature Reserve. 

The vegetation of the Udzungwa Mountains is exceptionally variable, ranging from lowland forests, through submontane, 

montane and to upper montane forests. There are also extensive areas of montane grassland of 

various types, montane wetland areas, and heath lands. At lower altitudes the vegetation grades into various 

forms of woodlands. 

Biodiversity 

In terms of endemic species the Udzungwa Mountains support 19 strict endemic vertebrate species (seven 

amphibians, two birds, three mammals and seven reptiles) and a further 44 Eastern Arc endemic vertebrate 

species. There are also 65 vascular plants endemic to the Udzungwa block. Some of the forests are relevantly 

well explored biologically, but a number of other forest areas are still largely unexplored. This includes the large 

forest block on the Luhomero massif and many of the smaller forest reserves. The National Park is also not 

completely surveyed. As new species of mammals and other animals continue to be discovered in the 

Udzungwas it can be assumed that we do not yet have full knowledge of the species that are found there. 

Threats 

Management of the Udzungwa forests faces a number of challenges, foremost being extensive wild fires in the 

grassland areas that sometimes enter and destroy areas of forest. Other threats include farmland encroachment 

into some forests, logging where protection efforts are weak, and the collection of animals for the pet trade. 

Core elements of the World Heritage property. Core areas are Udzungwa Mountains National Park (199,000 

ha), Kilombero Nature Reserve (134,511 ha) and the proposed Uzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve (32,763 ha). 

Buffer elements of World Heritage property. Udzungwa Mountains National Park is buffered to the north and 

west by the Kilombero Nature Reserve. In the same way, Kilombero Nature Reserve is buffered to the south and 

east by the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Together these two reserves from a contiguous management 

unit covering over 330,000 ha of forest and grassland. The Uzungwa Scarp proposed Nature Reserve is not 

buffered by any abutting forests; however, there is a potential corridor of land at Mngeta that could join Uzungwa 

Scarp to Kilombero Nature Reserve. If this corridor is gazetted, then the effective conservation unit within the 

Udzungwa Mountains would enlarge still further. 

Other reserves in the Udzungwa Mountains. These include Iwonde, Iyondo, Nyanganje, Ihanga, Kibao, Mufindi 

Scarp East, Mufindi Scarp West, Kigogo, Njerera (Luhega), Ihang'ana, Idewa, Kidete, Mlali, Image, Kilanzi 

Kitungulu, Kisinga-Lugalo, New Dabaga, Ulagambi, W. Kilombero Scarp, Udzungwa scarp, Kitemele, Kawemba, 

Kitonga, Kimala, Lugoda Lutali, Myangala, Ndynduli, Duma, Kidegemsitu, Lufuna, Ipafu, Igoda, Mkonge, Kitwile, 

Mpanga, Luhunga, Madisi, Lulanda, Ukami, Mufindi Tea, Kyfulilo Farm, Malenda Farm, Brook Bond). In total 

these cover at least 70,000 ha. 



KILOMBERO NATURE RESERVE 

Name of site: Kilombero 


Gazette notification: The Nature Reserve was formed by amalgamating three former forest reserves (Matundu, 

Iyondo and West Kilombero Scarp), now revoked, within the Udzungwa Mountains 

(Government Notice No. 182). Boundaries are delineated on Map No. JB 2525. 



Area (ha): 134,511 ha 

Location 

Centre point: 36 0 17’45”E and 7 0 55’00”S 

Districts: Kilombero and Kilolo 

Mountain Block: Udzungwa 


Geography: The Nature Reserve occupies the middle portion of the Udzungwa Mountains, lying 

between Udzungwa Mountains National Park and Udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve. It 

comprises a highly undulating chain of mountains that descend to the lowlands and meet 

the wetlands of Kilombero Valley. Rocks are pre-Cambrian in origin, comprising granitised 

basement and metamorphic types with granite, gneiss, schist and quartzite. 

Settlements: 18 villages surround the Nature Reserve, having a total population of 53,346 whose main 

source of livelihood is subsistence farming. This is supplement by fishing in Kilombero’s 

rivers, which generates substantial income for villagers. 

Altitudinal range: 1,040 – 2,600 m (Nyumbanitu Peak) 

Climate: Annual rainfall is estimated to be 1,500-2,000 mm in the mountainous areas and 1,350 

mm in the lowlands. The rainy season is between November and April; the cool season, 

with high day temperatures and cool nights, lasts from May to August; and the dry season 

occurs between June and November. Mean annual temperature reaches 20 0 c maximum in 

December and 15 0 C minimum in July in the mountains; and 27 0 C maximum in December 

and 19 0 C minimum in July in the lowlands. 

Vegetation: In upland areas, the vegetation comprises moist and dry montane, upper montane forest 

with some patches of bamboo and upland grassland. In the drier, lower-lying areas, there 

is lowland forest, some of which has been replaced by woodland and grassland. 

Characteristic species of each forest type are as follows: 

� Montane Forest: Typical trees include Cassipourea gummifla, Maesa lanceolata, 

Neoboutonia macrocalyx, Podocarpus sp, Aphloia sp. and Cola sp. 

� Upper Montane Forest: Typical trees include Aphloia theiformis, Bersama abyssinica, 

Syzygium guineense, Ocotea usambarensis, Hagenia abyssinica and Tecomaria sp. 

� Riverine Forest: within woodland/grassland is usually dominated by Syzygium 

cordatum with varying amounts of Bridelia micrantha, Faurea sp, Khaya anthotheca, 

Milicia excelsa and Rauvolia caffra. 

� Woodland: in higher altitudes is dominated by Protea sp, while in lower altitudes it is 

dominated by Brachyestegia sp. and Albizia gummifera. 

� Lowland Forest: Typical trees include Khaya anthotheca, and Milicia excelsa 

A Cassipoure/Cola/Craterispermum community is the dominant forest type at most 

altitudes in the former West Kilombero Scarp Forest Reserve. Additionally a 

Hagenia/Tecomaria community dominates high altitudes (>2,000 m) and at mid altitudes 

(1,850-2,000 m) a Neoboutonia/Aphloia/Podocarpus community is common (Frontier 

Tanzania 2001). 

Species diversity: The flora and fauna of the former West Kilombero Scarp Forest Reserve has been 

surveyed by Frontier Tanzania (Frontier Tanzania 2001). A total of 141 species of trees 

(above 10 cm dbh), representing 44 families and 106 genera, were identified from 

vegetation plots and a further 258 species were recorded opportunistically. 




Taxonomic 

group 


species 








Butterflies 102 

Millipedes 38 

Molluscs 54 

Invertebrates 194 not compiled not compiled not compiled not compiled 


Reptiles 19 3 2 0 0 

Birds 151 5 9 0 0 

Mammals 54 6 9 1 1 

Vertebrates 244 18 29 1 1 

* Source of faunal diversity data: Frontier Tanzania (2001) 


Period: 2009/10 – 2013/14 

Status: Prepared September 2009 and approved on 11 September 2009. 

Staffing: Currently 18 staff; a total complement of 98 staff is planned for 2010-2011. 

Budget: Implementation of this management plan will cost T.Shs 12.,715,839,000, of which T.Shs 

9,806,176,000 is for development. 

Goal: The Nature Reserve will be managed mainly for wilderness protection in line with IUCN Protected 

Areas Category 1b for wilderness areas. 

Objectives: The main management objective is to maintain biodiversity, ecological processes, cultural and 

environmental values in an undisturbed, dynamic and evolutionary ecosystem for present and 

future generations. 

Conservation and environmental objectives are: 

a) To maintain genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state; 

b) To improve and maintain ecological processes; 

c) To safeguard unique sites (cultural and scenic views) ; 

d) To preserve natural habitat and biological diversity; 

e) To promote research and scientific studies, including environmental monitoring and evaluation; 

f) To improve management of Kilombero Nature Reserve; and 

g) To improve returns for the efficient management of the Nature Reserve. 

Social economic objectives are: 

a) To promote sustainable production of wood and other forest products in buffer zone areas for 

provision of wood materials (fuel wood, poles and construction timber) and income. 

b) To ensure regulated extraction of fodder, medicines, fruits, honey, wild vegetables etc. for 

individuals, households and the community in general. 

c) To intensify collaborative extension services between forestry and other sectors, dealing with 

land use and environmental protection to enhance integrated rural development. 

d) To promote alternative Income Generating Activities among communities. 



UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK 

Name of site: Udzungwa Mountains 

Designation: National Park 

Gazette notification: The National Park was established from the existing forest reserves of Mwanihana, 

Nyanganje, Iwonde and parts of Matundu and West Kilombero Scarp in accordance with 

the National Parks Ordinance (Cap 412) 

Date of notification: 20 March 1992 (Government Notice No. 39) 

Land ownership: Tanzania National Parks 

Area (ha): 199,000 ha 

Location 

Centre point: 3 0 41’E and 7 0 48’S 

Districts: 80% of the National Park lies in Kilolo District and 20% in Kilombero District. 

Mountain Block: Udzungwa 


Geography: The National Park is dominated by Mwanihana and Luhemero Peaks and the escarpments that 

form its western boundary, and the Ruaha River in the north. The area, together with the 

adjacent Kilombero Nature Reserve, serves as a major water catchment for the region. The 

Ruaha supplies the hydroelectric dam at Kidatu and that at Kihansi also depends heavily on 

the park’s rivers. 

Settlements: There are 31 villages, 26 in the east and 5 in the west. The population in the east is estimated 

to be 130,086, based on a 2002 census, and that in the west is 9,262. 

Altitudinal range: 200 m to 2,580 m (Luhemero Peak) 

Climate: Most of the annual rainfall is received from November to May, which comprises the short rains 

of October – December and the longer rains of March - May. The dry season is from 

September to October. There is a pronounced rain shadow effect, with an annual rainfall of 

about 2,000 mm in the south-east of the park, which is often covered by mist, and about 600 

mm in the north-west. The latter is responsible for the dry deciduous woodland dominated by 

Commiphora spp. and Acacia sp. Temperature reaches a maximum in October (31 0 C) and 

minimum in July (21 0 C). 

Vegetation: Udzungwa Mountains National Park has distinctive natural vegetation zones, which range from 

lowland forest below 200 m to alpine grassland at 2,500 m. Within the unique tropical forest 

are the lower montane forest, upper montane forest, and bamboo forest. Standing out 

conspicuously from the escarpment forest are tall yellowish-white trunked trees (Sterculia 

appendiculata), with an umbrella of green foliage at the top. 

Species diversity: The Udzungwa Mountains National Park contains the greatest altitudinal span of habitats of 

any of the sites in the Eastern Arc Mountains. As such it is likely to support the highest 

species diversity of all the sites, but detailed comparative data are not available. 


Taxonomic 

group 


species 








Amphibians not compiled 5 9 0 0 

Reptiles not compiled 6 3 3 0 

Birds > 250 6 9 0 0 

Mammals not compiled 4 8 0 0 




Management Plan (TANAPA 2001) 

Period: The General Management Plan provides a package of 18 priorities for funding by Tanzanian National 

Parks and donors over a 10-year period. 

Status: Published in September 2001 (approved). The Plan is currently being revised. 

Staffing: Currently about 78 permanent staff. 

Budget:: T.Shs 665 million recurrent and T.Shs 119 million capital/development expenditure in 2008/09; T.Shs 

800 million recurrent and T.Shs 190 capital expenditure (comprising T.Shs 100 million for Support for 

Community Initiated Projects and T.Shs 90 million from donors) in 2009/10. 

Goal: The National Park was created specifically to safeguard the mountains’ water catchment and 

biological values. The long-term goal is to conserve biodiversity and ecological functions for their 

socio-economic importance. 

Objectives: The purposes of the National Park are: 

� To protect a representative sample of the Eastern Arc Mountains and conserve the unique 

ecological ranges and features of the mountain system. 

� To protect the natural forests as a watershed, providing high quality water to Kidatu Hydroelectric 

Dam and to surrounding agricultural land and local communities. 

� To protect the area against soil erosion on steep mountain slopes. 

� To conserve an area of exceptional natural and scenic beauty, 

� To protect the forests as a storehouse of genetic diversity. 

� To protect the habitat of threatened endemic and rare species. 

The Plan includes a range of specific objectives concerning the management of natural, cultural and 

historic resources, visitors and socio-economic development. 

The collection of firewood and no-timber forest products from the National Park by local communities 

is being phased out gradually through the promotion of alternative source of energy and incomegenerating 

activities. Collection of medicinal plants and grass for thatching has been banned since 

2006; and fire wood collection is due to be banned in mid-2011 due to their adverse effects on the 

park resources. Visitor numbers are steadily increasing and reached 4,734 in 2009. 

UZUNGWA SCARP PROPOSED NATURE RESERVE 

Name of Site: Uzungwa Scarp 



Gazette notification: Uzungwa Scarp was notified a Forest Reserve in Gazette Notice 198. Boundaries are 

delineated on Map JB 24 - 2740 (1:100,000) 1931; JB 68 (1:100,000) 1952 covers the 

eastern boundary. The boundary of the proposed Nature Reserve has been re-mapped in 

2009 (JB 2564) 

Date of notification: 1929 

Land Ownership: Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. 

Area: 32,763.2 ha 

Location: 

Centre point: Between latitude 8°14' - 8°32' S and longitude 35°51' - 36°02' E 

Districts: Kilombero and Kilolo 

Mountain block: Udzungwa 


Geography: Uzungwa Scarp covers the steep east-facing Udzungwa escarpment and part of the 

undulating upland plateau. The southern boundary is the Chita River, the northern 

boundary the Kidete River and the western boundary the Ruaha, Iwolo and Lukosi rivers. 

Settlements: Eight villages surround the reserve (Idegenda, Masisiwe, Mbawi, Ihimbi, 

Uhafiwa, Ukami, Kihansi, Ikule, Chita). Population figures for 2008: 

Chita 13,360; Ikule 1735. 



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. 


Taxonomic 

group 


species 









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. 



Budget: Recurrent T.Shs 1.5 million / year and development T.Shs 18,000,000 (2008 / 09). It is anticipated 

that this will increase once the reserve is gazetted as a Nature Reserve. 

Goal In line with the goal of other nature reserves, Uzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve will protect the 

unique, biologically important rainforest ecosystem of the Udzungwa Mountains and maintain 

biodiversity, genetic resources, natural processes and cultural values in an undisturbed, dynamic 

and evolutionary state for the benefit of present and future generations, as well as to enhance 

scientific study, environmental monitoring, environmental education, and sustainable controlled 

local and recreational uses. 

Objectives: To preserve habitats, ecosystems and species in as undisturbed a state as possible. 

To maintain genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state. 

To maintain established ecological processes. 

To safeguard structural landscape features or rock exposures. 

To secure examples of the natural environment for scientific studies, environmental monitoring and 

education, including baseline areas from which all avoidable access is excluded. 

To minimise disturbance by careful planning and execution for research and other approved 

activities. 

To limit public access as appropriate to meet biodiversity conservation objectives. 









2.b History and Development 

The Eastern Arc World Heritage Site is built from a network of reserves that have been declared over the past 100 

years. These reserves were originally gazetted with the aim of protecting the upper catchment areas of the Eastern 

Arc, to ensure water supply and prevent soil erosion, but also to provide a source of valuable timber. The reserve 

network was initiated by the German colonial government, and the process to gazette the remaining areas of forest 

was continued by the British colonial and independent Tanzanian governments. Some areas of lowland forest have 

also been gazetted, but most of this forest had already been cleared 100 years ago, and is often managed for timber 

production rather than protection. 

Today, more than 150 reserves exist on the Eastern Arc Mountains and are variously managed for nature 

conservation (National Parks and Nature Reserves), catchment protection (national Forest Reserves) and production 

(production Forest Reserves). One trend in recent years has been to impose stricter protection of forests in 

Tanzania, and to upgrade the most important reserves into higher levels of protection. For example, in 1985 a 

logging ban imposed across all the national Forest Reserves within the Eastern Arc Mountains, and the emphasis of 

management was shifted more towards catchment and biodiversity protection. Prior to that logging was being 

undertaken on a commercial basis within a number of the more accessible reserves across the Arc, with the logs 

being used for local consumption and for export. The emphasis on preventing logging was supported by donor 

funding, primarily from the Scandinavian countries. 

In the 1990s a number of forest reserves were upgraded to higher levels of protection and greater emphasis on 

biodiversity protection. In 1992 the Udzungwa Mountains National Park was created from the Mwanihana Forest 

Reserve, and parts of the Matundu and West Kilombero Scarp forest reserves. This was the first National Park in 

Tanzania that was specifically established for the conservation of endemic species and not for large mammals and / 

or scenic values. In 1999 the Amani Nature Reserve was established in the East Usambara Mountains from the 

amalgamation of a number of smaller forest reserves, and some unprotected forest land. 

This trend has continued into the 2000s. As a part of a larger project to develop a holistic conservation strategy for 

the entire Eastern Arc Mountains region (see www.easternarc.or.tz), the Forestry and Beekeeping Division developed 

a plan for further Nature Reserves in 2005, and this proposed the creation of 6 new nature reserves across the 

Eastern Arc to capture the sites of highest biodiversity importance. At the same time this Division reviewed the 

management of its reserves against the concept of a protected area and various different categories defined and 

promoted by IUCN. This led to the proposal of protected area categories for 87 Forest Reserves covering 656,815 

ha across the Arc, which has subsequently been accepted by IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas and 

registered in the UNEP-WCMC World Databases of Protected Areas. An additional new Nature Reserve, Magamba 

in the West Usambara, was added to the list of proposed Nature Reserves in 2008. By January 2010 Forestry and 

Beekeeping had gazetted four of the proposed eight Nature Reserves across the Arc, and work is proceeding to 

gazette the remaining four. In addition, management plans have been developed and accepted for six of the Nature 

Reserves, with one awaiting approval and another under preparation. Meanwhile, the management plan for 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park is being revised this year. 

As the same time as upgrading the protection status of the forests in the Eastern Arc, there has also been a strong 

effort to increase the participation of local people in the management of these forest areas. This has involved the 

development of ‘co-management’ approaches in government reserves (termed Joint Forest Management), including 

within Nature Reserves. It has also included the establishment of Village Land Forest Reserves (Village Forest 

Reserves and Community Forest Reserves under Community-Based Forest Management). 

Despite the emphasis on co-management and community management approaches, there are limited legitimate 

benefits from the forests available to local people. Logging is banned in all protected forests across the Eastern Arc 

Mountains and access to non-timber forest products has become more restricted. Given the pressures on local 

livelihoods, there is much illegal exploitation of timber, poles, firewood and minor forest products such as bushmeat. 

Thus, co-management needs to develop more opportunities for communities to benefit from the forests. 



3. Justification for Inscription 

3.a Criteria under which inscription is proposed (and 

justification for inscription under these criteria) 

Criteria (ix) be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological 

processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems 

and communities of plants and animals 

The Eastern Arc Mountains are important biological refugia, with numerous endemic taxa representing ancient 

lineages that have survived millions of years of climatic fluctuations elsewhere on the African continent, as well 

as being centres of more recent speciation and radiation. For example, almost all of the world’s African violet 

(Saintpaulia) species are restricted to the forests on these mountains. 

The 9 sites comprising this serial nomination are globally important as a record of evolution of life on earth, 

especially for ancient groups of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians having 30 million year old and older 

radiations. This has been clearly shown by ongoing DNA analysis at the universities of Copenhagen in Denmark, 

and Stellenbosh in South Africa. Such evidence is based on there being at least 40 genera of plants and at least 

6 genera of vertebrates that are endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

Further evidence includes: bryophytes on the Eastern Arc having affinities to Madagascar, which has been 

isolated from mainland Africa for at least 70 million years; and a shrew in the Udzungwa Mountains having its 

nearest relatives in the Congo Basin forests, separated for at least 10 million years. The African tailor bird is the 

only African member of an Asian bird family and the endemic Udzungwa Partridge has its closest relatives in 

Asia. Similar biogeographical disjunctions across large distances around the world are also known in the 

invertebrates, for example in the dragonflies. This information and some further examples of evolutionary and 

biogeographical processes are summarized in Table 3. 

Many of the restricted range species that are found within the Eastern Arc Mountains occur in only a few 

localities, or are found throughout much of the Arc, but have extremely narrow altitudinal range (Lovett et al. 

2001; Hall et al. 2009). The endemism comprises both newly evolved species and ancient relicts that have their 

origins in prehistoric times when a continuous swathe of forest was present across the whole of tropical Africa 

(Burgess et al. 2004). This unique biogeography of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and its disjunct nature in patches 

that are elevated above the surrounding landscape, give patterns in species distributions and range that are 

more similar to true islands than to a mainland region, causing it to be dubbed as 'The Galapagos of Africa' 5 . 

New species and genera continue to be discovered, for example a new genus of partridge Xenoperdix in 1991 

(Dinesen et al. 1994) and a new genus of mangabey Rungwecebus in 2005 (Jones et al. 2005; Davenport et al. 

2006), the first new genus of monkey to be described since 1923 6 . Another notable recent find includes a new 

species of giant elephant-shrew Rhynchocyon udzungwensis in 2005 (Rovero et al. 2008), as well as two new 

species of African Violet described in 2009 7 . All eight recognised species of African Violets (Saintpaulia spp.) are 

found in the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

5 E.g. http://www.africarainforest.org/article_galapagos.html Accessed January 2010. 

6 Than, Ker (May 11, 2006). "Scientists Discover New Monkey Genus In Africa". LiveScience website 

http://www.livescience.com/animals/060511_monkey_genus.html. Accessed January 2010. 

7 Haston, E. M. (2009). Saintpaulia ulugurensis. Curtis’s Botanical Magazine 26(3): 270–276; Haston, E. M. (2009). Saintpaulia 

watkinsii. Curtis’s Botanical Magazine 26(3): 277–281. 



Table 3 Examples of evolutionary and biographical processes found in sites in the serial nomination 

Genus / 

Species 

Evolutionary / 

Biogeographical Features 

BRYOPHYTES Affinities to Madagascar 

bryophyte flora 

PLANTS 

Amani 

NR 

Chome 

PNR 

Kilombero 

NR 

Magamba 

PNR 

Mkingu 

PNR 

Udzungwa 

Mountains 

NP 

Uluguru 

NR 

Uzungwa 

Scarp 

pNR 


present 

Impatiens Centre of radiation for this genus present 

Saintpaulia Centre of radiation for this genus Present 

Saintpaulia Centre of radiation for this genus present 

Saintpaulia Centre of radiation for this genus present 

AMPHIBIANS 

Nectophrynoides Center of radiation for this Eastern 

Arc endemic toad genus 





REPTILES 

Kinyongia tenue One of four species of this East 

African forest endemic chameleon 

genus 

BIRDS 

Sheppardia 

montana 

Endemic species within an East 

African forest endemic genus 

Tailorbirds Only African member of the 

tailorbirds of Asia 

Xenoperdix 

udzungwensis 

Xenoperdix 

udzungwensis 

Zosterops 

winifredae 

MAMMALS 

Congosorex 

phillipsorum 

Rhynchocyon 

udzungwensis 

Rungwecebus 

kipunji 

Partridge family birds with 

affinities to groups in Asia 

Partridge family birds with 

affinities to groups in Asia 

Example of recent speciation 

within a diverse bird genus 

Member of genus of shrew 

otherwise found only in Congo 

Basin 

Giant form of this genus of East 

African endemic forest sengis 

Present 

Present 

Present 

present 

present 

present 

present 

present 

present present 

Unique genus of African primate present present 

Criteria (x) Contains the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of 

biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from 

the point of view of science or conservation 

The Eastern Arc Mountains, covering an area of some 23,000 km 2 , was first recognised in the 1990s as being 

within one of 25 global hotspots (Eastern Arc and Coastal Forests of Tanzania/Kenya) for biodiversity. Following 

a revision of the original set of hotspots by Conservation International (Mittermeier et al., 2005), the Eastern Arc 

Mountains are now placed within the Eastern Afromontane hotspot, one of 34 of the world’s richest places for 

biodiversity found nowhere else and under extreme threat having lost 70% or more of their original vegetation. 

The Eastern Arc Mountains rank among the world’s top five sites for biodiversity for plants, herpetofauna, birds 

and mammals, despite their comparatively limited altitudinal range, as considered further in Section 3c. They 

also hold among the highest numbers and concentration of rare and endangered species and genera of flora and 

present 

present


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 



Legal provisions for protection: Biodiversity, catchment, production and amenity zones proposed in 2001 draft 

management plan. Utilisation of exotic species (invaders) is allowed in the 

production zone by communities, but not otherwise. 

Buffer zones: There is no buffer zone as the surrounding area is largely settled and farmed. 

However, there are scattered forest patches owned by village councils, village 

clans, local government and private individuals, which help to buffer the proposed 

Nature Reserve, for example Chongweni, Maganda, Kirangahengae and Gonja. 

Trees such as Acacia mearnsii and Eucalyptus spp. are commonly planted for 

fuel wood. Agro-forestry is being encouraged to reduce pressures on natural 

forest. 

Other provisions: In the community use zone, sustainable utilisation of forest resources (dead fuel 

wood, medicinal plants, etc) is allowed on a controlled basis. 

Integrity with respect to OUV 

The proposed Chome Nature Reserve is the largest block of forest remaining within the South Pare Mountains 

and, at 14,283 ha, is considered to be sufficiently extensive to be viable in terms of its diverse and, to some 

extent, unique flora and fauna. 

Magamba Nature Reserve 


The West Usambara Mountains hold 144 (26%) of the 554 plant taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

They are third in importance after the Udzungwa and Uluguru mountains with respect to their diversity of Eastern 

Arc Mountain endemic plants. A total of 37 taxa (7% of Eastern Arc Mountain endemics) are restricted to the 

West Usambara Mountains, of which 1 species is recorded only from Magamba Nature Reserve. 

Endemic plant species restricted in their distribution (unique) to this site: 


Cycadaceae Encephalartos sclavoi De Luca & D.W. Stev. & A. Moretti 

The West Usambara Mountains hold 21 (18%) of the 118 vertebrate species endemic to the Eastern Arc 

Mountains. They are fifth in importance after the Udzungwa, Uluguru, East Usambara and Nguru, mountains with 

respect to their diversity of Eastern Arc Mountain endemic vertebrates. A total of 4 endemic species are 

restricted to the West Usambara Mountains, of which one endangered bird species is recorded only from 

Magamba Nature Reserve. 

Endemic vertebrate species restricted in their distribution (unique) to this site: 

Group Species Threat status 

Birds Sheppardia montana EN 

Threatened species within the West Usambara Mountains include 24 vertebrates, of which 8 species are found 

in Magamba, including 6 endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 


Legal provisions for protection: 

Buffer zones: Acacia meansii (black wattle) covers the area between the reserve boundary and 

settlements. To the north, east and west the areas are bordered by Shume forest 

plantation, Hambalawei plantation, Magamba plantation, Evangelical Lutheran 

Church of Tanzania and the Roman Catholic Mazinde Juu Secondary School. 

The southern part is buffered by State House forest and commercially-owned 

woodlots (i.e. Chambogo forest). 



Other provisions: Natural regeneration will be promoted in degraded forests; and fire devastated 

areas will be planted with indigenous tree species. The few plantation blocks 

(Pinus patula) remaining within the Nature Reserve will be harvested and all 

exotic tree species will be removed to allow for natural regeneration. Village 

Environmental Committees will be established in surrounding villages to promote 

Government’s Joint Forest Management approach. 


Magamba is the largest forest fragment remaining with the West Usambara Mountains. Other significant forest 

tracts lie within Shagayu Forest Reserve (7,830 ha) and Mafi Hill Forest Reserve (2,509 ha), an outlier to the 

main mountain block that is isolated by the surrounding farmland. Currently, only Magamba is being upgraded to 

Nature Reserve status. 

Amani Nature Reserve 


The East Usambara Mountains hold 123 (22%) of the 554 plant taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

Thus, it is fourth in importance after the Udzungwa, Uluguru and West Usambara mountains with respect to its 

diversity of Eastern Arc Mountain endemic plants. A total of 36 taxa (7% of Eastern Arc Mountain endemics) are 

restricted to the East Usambara Mountains, of which 16 taxa are recorded only from Amani Nature Reserve. 



Orchidaceae Ancistrorhynchus parviflorus Summerh. 

Begoniaceae Begonia zimmermannii Peter ex Irmsch. 

Sterculiaceae Cola usambarensis Engl. 

Fabaceae Cynometra longipedicellata Harms 

Vitaceae Cyphostemma njegerre (Gilg & H.C. Strauss) Desc. 

Orchidaceae Disperis egregia Summerh. 

Moraceae Dorstenia bicaudata Peter 

Fabaceae Englerodendron usambarense Harms 

Acanthaceae Justicia oblongifolia (Lindau) M.E. Steiner 

Rubiaceae Psychotria pocsii ssp. pocsii 

Rubiaceae Psychotria scheffleri K. Schum. & K. Krause 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia dichasialis Lantz & Gereau 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia xanthotricha (K. Schum.) Verdc. 

Rutaceae Vepris ngamensis I. Verd. 

Melastomataceae Warneckea erubescens (Gilg) Jacq.-Fél. 

Melastomataceae Warneckea microphylla (Gilg) Borhidi 

Threatened plant species found in Amani include 8 species of the Genus Saintpaulia ( African violet), 

Leptonychia usambarensis, Cephalosphaera usambarensis and Allanblackia stulhmanii. 

The East Usambara Mountains hold 32 (27%) of the 118 vertebrate species endemic to the Eastern Arc 

Mountains. It is fourth in importance after the Udzungwa, Nguru and Uluguru mountains with respect to its 

diversity of Eastern Arc Mountain endemic vertebrates. A total of 7 endemic species are restricted to the East 

Usambara Mountains, of which 2 amphibians (including the critically endangered Parhoplophryne usambarica) 

and 1 reptile are recorded only from Amani Nature Reserve. 





Amphibians Nectophrynoides frontierei 

Amphibians Parhoplophryne usambarica CR 

Reptiles Typhlops usambaricus 

There are 35 threatened vertebrate species within the East Usambara Mountains, of which 23 species are found 

in Amani, including 12 endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 


Legal provisions for protection: Amani is protected from commercial exploitation. Collection of firewood and 

medicinal plants is allowed in its Botanical Garden. Medicinal plants are the only 

product they may be collected from elsewhere within the Nature Reserve. 

Buffer zones: Some 310 ha of buffer zone has been established peripheral to the Nature 

Reserve and inside its enclaves, with high priority given to promoting 

agroforestry. The specific policy objective of the buffer zone is: “To promote 

sustainable land and natural resource use practices through implementation of 

the Village Management Plans, farm forestry activities and tree planting, to 

decrease the dependency of the local communities on the natural resources of 

the ANR.” 

Other provisions: The proposed Derema Forest Reserve is planned as a corridor to maintain gene 

flow by linking Amani with Kambai Forest Reserve and its adjacent forests. 

Management measures will be taken to control and, where possible, eliminate 

exotic invasive species from the Nature Reserve. 


Amani is considered to be the largest forested block of natural habitat remaining in the East Usambaras. It is 

connected to two other forest reserves, Kambai (1,060 ha) and Semdoe (980 ha), by Derema corridor (986 ha) 

which is due to designated a forest reserve. Kihuhwi and Kihuhwi Sigi forest reserve, both forest plantations, 

abuts its south-eastern boundary and connect with its eastern boundary, respectively. 

Nilo Nature Reserve 


The East Usambara Mountains hold 123 (22%) of the 554 plant taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

They are fourth in importance after the Udzungwa, Uluguru and West Usambara mountains with respect to their 

diversity of Eastern Arc Mountain endemic plants. A total of 36 taxa (7% of Eastern Arc Mountain endemics) are 

restricted to the East Usambara Mountains, of which 1 species is recorded only from Nilo Nature Reserve (see 

below). 


Acanthaceae Justicia palustris Hochst.) T. Anderson 

The East Usambara Mountains hold 32 (27%) of the 118 vertebrate species endemic to the Eastern Arc 

Mountains. They are fourth in importance after the Udzungwa, Nguru and Uluguru mountains with respect to their 

diversity of Eastern Arc Mountain endemic vertebrates. A total of 7 endemic species are restricted to the East 

Usambara Mountains, of which one endangered bird species (Hyliota usambarae)is recorded only from Nilo 

Nature Reserve. 

Threatened species within the East Usambara Mountains include 35 vertebrates, of which 22 species are found 

in Nilo, including 10 endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 


Legal provisions for protection: Nilo is protected as a Nature Reserve and no harvesting of forest products is 

allowed in the Biodiversity Zone. Collection of dead and fallen wood, mushrooms, 



vegetables and medicinal plants for local consumption is allowed in the Community Use 

Zone. 

Buffer zones: There are a number of Village Forest Reserves, including Kizingata and Mzungui VFRs in 

Zirai and Kizerui villages and the proposed Village Forest Reserve of Mfundia in Magoma 

Division, that are effectively community buffer forest strips around the Nature Reserve. 

There are also buffer strips at Kizerui Village, Magunga-Mziya Village (approximately 250 m 

wide), Kitivo-Makumba and Bosha Kwemtindi that require legal recognition. Communities 

will be encouraged to prepare simple management plans, with provisions in buffer zones to 

conserve traditional species of tree crops, fruit trees and multipurpose trees. Use of 

traditional species to establish woodlots as alternative sources of wood will also be 

promoted. 

Other provisions: Natural regeneration of trees species will be encouraged, especially species such as 

Ocotea usambarensis that are disappearing from the East Usambaras. Gaps in the forest, 

from where Cannabis sativa, Cardamom, Lantana camara and tobacco have been 

removed, will be planted with Khaya anthotheca, Newtonia buchanannii, Albizia spp and 

Allanblackia stulhmani. Exotic invasive tree species will be removed. On farm forestry, with 

planting of Allanblackia stulhmanii, will be encouraged among village communities to reduce 

pressures on forest resources inside the Nature Reserve. 


Nilo is the second largest block of forest under protection in the East Usambaras, after Amani Nature Reserve. 

The central ridge that runs along Nilo’s southern leg is planned to link up with Amani Nature Reserve via Derema 

forest corridor, which is due to be notified a Forest Reserve. 

Both Nilo and Amani nature reserves are part of the East Usambara Biosphere Reserve, established in 2000 and 

covering a total area of 90,000 ha, of which 30,000 ha is core area and 12,000 ha is buffer zone. 

Uluguru Nature Reserve 


The Uluguru Mountains hold 211 (38%) of the 554 plant taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. They are on 

a par with the Udzungwa Mountains as being the most important mountain blocks with respect to Eastern Arc 

Mountain endemic plants. While the Udzungwa Mountains hold more endemic plant taxa than the Uluguru 

Mountains, the latter have more taxa that are endemic to the block then the former. A total of 80 taxa (38% of 

Eastern Arc Mountain endemics) are restricted to the Uluguru Mountains, of which 68 taxa are recorded only 

from Uluguru Nature Reserve. Notable is the genus Impatiens for which the Ulugurus are a centre of radiation. Of 

the 13 endemic species of Impatiens found within Uluguru Nature Reserve, 8 restricted in their distribution to this 

site. There are also 3 endemic species of African violet – Saintpaulia. 



Malpighiaceae Acridocarpus congestus Launert 

Theaceae Balthasaria schliebenii var. schliebenii 

Begoniaceae Begonia schliebenii Irmsch. 

Pteridophyta Blotiella coriacea Verdc. 

Orchidaceae Bulbophyllum gilgianum Kraenzl. 

Rubiaceae Chassalia lukwangulensis Thulin 

Rubiaceae Chassalia violacea K. Schum. 

Rubiaceae Chassalia violacea var. parviflora Verdc. 

Rubiaceae Chassalia violacea var. violacea 

Acanthaceae Dicliptera grandiflora Gilli 

Melastomataceae Dionychastrum schliebenii A. & R. Fern. 

Pteridophyta Diplazium ulugurense Verdc. 

Moraceae Dorstenia ulugurensis Engl. 



Melastomataceae Gravesia hylophila (Gilg) A. & R. Fern. 

Aquifoliaceae Ilex mitis var. schliebenii Loes. 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens barbulata G.M. Schulze 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens humifusa G.M. Schulze 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens palliderosea var. palliderosea 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens pseudohamata Grey-Wilson 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens serpens Grey-Wilson 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens simbiniensis Grey-Wilson 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens thamnoidea G.M. Schulze 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens tricaudata G.M. Schulze 

Oleaceae Jasminum rotundatum Knobl. 

Rubiaceae Lasianthus macrocalyx K. Schum 

Rubiaceae Lasianthus wallacei E.A. Bruce 

Campanulaceae Lobelia graniticola E. Wimm. 

Campanulaceae Lobelia lukwangulensis Engl. 

Rubiaceae Pavetta bruceana Bremek. 

Rubiaceae Pavetta constipulata Bremek. 

Rubiaceae Pavetta constipulata var. constipulata 

Rubiaceae Pavetta constipulata var. uranoscopa Bremek. 

Rubiaceae Pavetta filistipulata Bremek. 

Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus thulinii Radcl.-Sm. 

Pittosporaceae Pittosporum goetzei Engl. 

Lamiaceae Plectranthus strangulatus A.J. Paton 

Orchidaceae Polystachya longiscapa Summerh. 

Orchidaceae Polystachya lukwangulensis P.J. Cribb 

Orchidaceae Polystachya porphyrochila J.L. Stewart 

Rubiaceae Psychotria cephalidantha K. Schum. 

Rubiaceae Rhipidantha chlorantha (K. Schum.) Bremek. 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia lichenoxenos ssp. lichenoxenos 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia nodulosa (K. Schum.) Robyns 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia goetzeana Engl. 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia inconspicua B.L. Burtt 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia ulugurensis Haston 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia watkinsii Haston 

Asteraceae Senecio dentatoalatus Mildbr. ex C. Jeffrey 

Asteraceae Senecio subfractiflexus C. Jeffrey 

Turneraceae Stapfiella ulugurica Mildbr. 

Orchidaceae Stolzia angustifolia Mansf. 

Orchidaceae Stolzia atrorubra Mansf. 

Orchidaceae Stolzia moniliformis P.J. Cribb 

Orchidaceae Stolzia oligantha Mansf. 

Orchidaceae Stolzia viridis P.J. Cribb 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus albus ssp. edwardsii (Weigend) I. Darbysh. 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus bullatus Mansf. 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus euanthus Mansf. 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus heckmannianus (Engl.) I. Darbysh. 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus heckmannianus ssp. gracilis (E.A. Bruce) I. Darbysh. 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus heckmannianus ssp. heckmannianus 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus subscandens (B.L. Burtt) I. Darbysh. 

Rubiaceae Tarenna quadrangularis Bremek. 

Orchidaceae Tridactyle phaeocephala Summerh. 

Orchidaceae Tridactyle sarcodantha Mansf. 

Meliaceae Turraea mombassana ssp. schliebenii (Harms) Styles & F. White 

Asteraceae Vernonia tricholoba C. Jeffrey 



Fabaceae Zenkerella perplexa Temu 

The Uluguru Mountains hold 39 (33%) of the 118 vertebrate species endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains, 

which makes them third in importance after the Udzungwa and Nguru mountains with respect to their diversity of 

Eastern Arc Mountain endemic vertebrates. A total of 12 endemic vertebrate species (10%) are restricted to the 

Uluguru Mountains, of which 8 species are recorded only from Uluguru Nature Reserve. These include 2 critically 

endangered species (Uluguru bush-shrike Malaconotus alius and the reptile Nectophrynoides cryptus ) and 3 

other threatened species. 



Amphibians Nectophrynoides cryptus EN 

Amphibians Nectophrynoides laevis 

Amphibians Probreviceps uluguruensis VU 

Reptiles Prosymna ornatissima CR 

Reptiles Typhlops uluguruensis 

Birds Andropadus neumanii 

Birds Malaconotus alius CR 

Birds Nectarinia loveridgei EN 


Legal provisions for protection: Timber and other forms of natural resource harvesting are not permitted within 

the Nature Reserve. In practice, firewood and medicinal plants are collected 

under permit for domestic consumption purposes only. In future, this will be 

restricted to within 50 m inside of the Nature Reserve boundary. 

Buffer zones: Currently none except for patches of forest, degraded forest, woodland and some 

sacred forests 

Other provisions: Villagers have agreed to establish a 500 m buffer of forest peripheral to the 

Nature Reserve boundary. This awaits approval from the District authorities. 


Uluguru Nature Reserve is the fourth largest protected area within the Eastern Arc 

Mountains and comprises one of the largest blocks of natural forest and other habitat 

remaining within the Eastern Arc Mountains. Connectivity between the North and South 

Ulugurus is now being restored by the re-afforestation of the Bunduki Corridor, an area of 

106.5 ha that was cultivated previously by farmers from four nearby villages (Uluguru 

Landscape Management Framework, 2009; MNRT 2009). 

Mkingu Nature Reserve 


The Nguru Mountains hold 137 (25%) of the 554 plant taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. They are the 

fifth most important block, after the Udzungwa, Uluguru and West and East Usambara Mountains, with respect to 

Eastern Arc Mountain endemic plants. A total of 28 taxa (5% of Eastern Arc Mountain endemics) are restricted to 

the Nguru Mountains, of which 19 taxa are recorded only from the proposed Mkingu Nature Reserve. 

Endemic plants species restricted in their distribution (unique) to this site: 


Balsaminaceae Impatiens messumbaensis G.M. Schulze 



Balsaminaceae Impatiens messumbaensis ssp. fimbrisepala Grey-Wilson 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens messumbaensis ssp. messumbaensis 

Campanulaceae Lobelia ritabeaniana E.B. Knox 

Celastraceae Maytenus nguruensis N. Robson & Sebsebe 

Euphorbiaceae Meineckia nguruensis (Radcl.-Sm.) Brunel ex Radcl.-Sm. 

Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus rhizomatosus Radcl.-Sm. 

Orchidaceae Diaphananthe orientalis (Mansf.) F.N. Rasm. 

Orchidaceae Mystacidium nguruense P.J. Cribb 

Orchidaceae Polystachya canaliculata Summerh. 

Orchidaceae Polystachya rugosilabia Summerh. 

Pteridophyta Lellingeria rupestris Parris 

Rubiaceae Chassalia bonifacei Thulin & S. Manktelow 

Rubiaceae Chassalia christineae Thulin & S. Manktelow 

Rubiaceae Pavetta abyssinica ssp. viridiflora Bridson 

Rubiaceae Psychotria pocsii ssp. ferruginea Borhidi & Verdc. 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia longituba Verdc. 

Sapindaceae Chytranthus longibracteatus F.G. Davies 

Vitaceae Cyphostemma masukuense ssp. nguruense Verdc. 

The Nguru Mountains hold 46 (39%) of the 118 vertebrate species endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. They 

are on a par with the Udzungwa Mountains in terms of being the two most important mountain blocks for Eastern 

Arc Mountain endemic vertebrates. The Ngurus have slightly more Eastern Arc endemics than the Udungwas but 

comparatively fewer endemic their block. A total of 14 endemic vertebrate species are restricted to the Nguru 

Mountains, of which 11 are recorded only from the proposed Mkingu Nature Reserve. Many of these species 

have been discovered in the last few years and are in the process of being described (Menegon et al. 2008). 

Endemic animal species restricted in their distribution (unique) to this site: 


Amphibians Arthroleptis nguruensis Not threatened 

Amphibians Callulina sp. 1 Not assessed 



Amphibians Hoplophryne sp. Not assessed 

Amphibians Nectophrynoides sp. 1 Not assessed 



Amphibians Probreviceps sp. Not assessed 

Amphibians Scolecomorphus sp. Not assessed 

Reptiles Rhampholeon acuminatus Not threatened 

Threatened species within the Nguru Mountains include 26 vertebrates, of which 25 species are found in the 

proposed Mkingu Nature Reserve, including 17 endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 



Buffer zones: There is currently no buffer zone as the Reserve is surrounded mostly by 

degraded woodland and a few patches of degraded forest. In the west some 

extensive Miombo woodland is separated from the proposed Nature Reserve by 

village settlements. There is a possibility of managing this woodland as a buffer 

zone and/or establishing buffer zones on farmland by means of agroforestry, tree 

planting and tree retention schemes. 



Other provisions: There are no corridors to connect Mkingu to other reserves because the Nature 

Reserve is surrounded by villages, Turiani town and commercial sugar cane and 

rice plantations. 


The proposed Mkingu Nature Reserve is the fourth large protected area within the Eastern Arc Mountains and by 

far the largest block of forest remaining within the Nguru Mountains Block. 

Kilombero Nature Reserve 

Outstanding universal value 

The Udzungwa Mountains hold 221 (40%) of the 554 plant taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. Thus, 

they are the most important block with respect to Eastern Arc Mountain endemic plants. A total of 144 taxa (14% 

of Eastern Arc Mountain endemics) are restricted to the Udzungwa Mountains, of which 1 species is recorded 

only from Kilombero Nature Reserve. 

Endemic species restricted in their distribution (unique) to this site: 


Rubiaceae Pavetta roseostellata Bridson 

The Udzungwa Mountains hold 44 (37%) of the 118 vertebrate species endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains, 

which is more than any other mountain block. A total of 19 endemic vertebrate species (16%) are restricted to the 

Udzungwa Mountains, of which the critically endangered shrew Congosorex phillipsorum is recorded only from 

Ndundulu Forest in Kilombero Nature Reserve. 



Mammals Congosorex phillipsorum CR 

Threatened species within the Udzungwa Mountains include 50 vertebrates, of which 29 species are found in 

Kilombero, including 12 endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 



Buffer zones: There is natural forest and/or exotic woodlots on village lands surrounding the 

Nature Reserve which are available to meet community needs for firewood and 

non-timber forest products. Such areas require demarcation as buffer zones. 

However, a number of villages are too close to the Nature Reserve to establish 

an intervening buffer zone. Thus, in the eastern part of Kilombero, a 60 m buffer 

zone will be demarcated inside the Nature Reserve for regulated use by village 

communities, while in the western part forests and woodlots within village lands 

will provide the buffer to the Nature Reserve. 

Other provisions: 


Kilombero is the second largest protected area within the Eastern Arc Mountains, after Udzungwa Mountains 

National Park. It is largest forested mountain block of the Udzungwa Mountains and abuts Udzungwa National 

Park to the north-east, with which it is integral. Plans are underway to establish a corridor to link the Nature 

Reserve with Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve to the south-west. Currently, the Mngeta Corridor is used for 

farming activities by Mhanga, Uluti, Itonya, Mngeta, Mchombe and Mkangawalo villages (MNRT 2009a). 



Udzungwa Mountains National Park 


The Udzungwa Mountains hold 221 (40%) of the 554 plant taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. They are 

on a par with the Uluguru Mountains as being the most important mountain blocks with respect to Eastern Arc 

Mountain endemic plants. The Udzungwa Mountains hold more endemic plant taxa but fewer are endemic to the 

block than in the case of the Uluguru Mountains. A total of 144 taxa (14% of Eastern Arc Mountain endemics) 

are restricted to the Udzungwa Mountains, of which 17 taxa are recorded only from Udzungwa Mountains 

National Park. 


Asteraceae Blepharispermum canescens T. Erikss. 

Orchidaceae Disperis elaphoceras Verdc. 

Euphorbiaceae Erythrococca sanjensis Radcl.-Sm. 

Acanthaceae Isoglossa imbricata Brummitt 

Acanthaceae Justicia beloperonoides Lindau 

Campanulaceae Lobelia udzungwensis Thulin 

Sapindaceae Placodiscus pedicellatus F.G. Davies 

Orchidaceae Polystachya melliodora P.J. Cribb 

Rubiaceae Pyrostria uzungwaensis Bridson 

Celastraceae Salacia lovettii N. Hallé & B.Mathew 

Triuridaceae Seychellaria africana Vollesen 

Rubiaceae Tarenna uzungwaensis Bridson 

Annonaceae Toussaintia patriciae Q. Luke & Deroin 

Orchidaceae Tridactyle flabellata P.J. Cribb 

Orchidaceae Tridactyle minuta P.J. Cribb 

Rubiaceae Vangueriopsis longiflora Verdc. 

Asteraceae Vernonia luhomeroensis Q. Luke & Beentje 


which is second to the Nguru Mountains. A total of 19 endemic vertebrate species (16%) are restricted to the 

Udzungwa Mountains, of which 3 reptiles are recorded only from Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Udzungwa 

Mountains is Tanzania’s only national park with as many as 10 species of primate, two of which are endemic to 

the mountain block and endangered. They are the Udzungwa red colobus (Piliocolobus gordonorum) and the 

Sanje mangabey (Cercocebus sanjei). 



Reptiles Kinyongia magomberae Not threatened 

Reptiles Leptosiaphos rhomboidalis Not threatened 

Reptiles Urocotyledon rasmusseni Not threatened 

Threatened species within the Udzungwa Mountains include 50 vertebrates, of which 29 species are found in 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park, including 16 endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 


Legal provisions for protection: The visitor experience is limited to camping and hiking. Permanent 

accommodation for visitors is not permitted inside the National Park. 

Buffer zones: Kilombero NR, farmland 

Other provisions: None. 


Udzungwa Mountains National Park is contiguous with Kilombero Nature Reserve, which is the largest forested 

block of the Udzungwa Mountains, and its integrity will be enhanced once Mngeta Corridor has been established 



to connect Kilombero with Uzungwa Scarp proposed Nature Reserve in the south-west. The National Park is the 

largest and has the greatest altitudinal range of any protected area within the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

Uzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve 

Outstanding universal value 

The Udzungwa Mountains hold 221 (40%) of the 554 plant taxa endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. Thus, 

they are the most important block with respect to Eastern Arc Mountain endemic plants. A total of 144 taxa (14% 

of Eastern Arc Mountain endemics) are restricted to the Udzungwa Mountains, of which 6 species are recorded 

only from Uzungwa Scarp proposed Nature Reserve. 



Ancistrocladaceae Ancistrocladus tanzaniensis Cheek & Frim. 

Rubiaceae Coffea kihansiensis A.P. Davis & Mvungi 

Ebenaceae Diospyros uzungwaensis Frim. & Ndang. 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens uzungwaensis Grey-Wilson & Frim 

Triuridaceae Kihansia lovettii Cheek 

Triuridaceae Kupea jonii Cheek 


which is more than any other mountain block. A total of 19 endemic vertebrate species (16%) are restricted to the 

Udzungwa Mountains, of which 6 threatened species of amphibians are recorded only from Uzungwa Scarp 

proposed Nature Reserve. 



Amphibians Hyperolius kihangensis EN 

Amphibians Hyperolius kihangensis EN 

Amphibians Nectophrynoides asperginis CR 

Amphibians Nectophrynoides poyntoni CR 

Amphibians Nectophrynoides wendyae CR 

Threatened species within the Udzungwa Mountains include 50 vertebrates, of which 37 species are found in the 

Uzungwa Scarp proposed Nature Reserve, including 22 endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 



Buffer zones: The north eastern side of the reserve is buffered by woodland which could be 

managed as a buffer zone through participatory forest management. On the 

western side of the reserve there is the potential for buffer zone activities 

including tree planting and agroforestry. 

Other provisions: Detailed research has been carried out into the feasibility of establishing a 

corridor between the proposed Uzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve and the 

Kilombero Nature Reserve to the north-east via the ‘Mngeta Corridor’, which 

comprises natural vegetation. This corridor is currently used for farming activities 

by Mhanga, Uluti, Itonya, Mngeta, Mchombe and Mkangawalo villages. 


Uzungwa Scarp is the fourth largest protected area within the Eastern Arc Mountains, after Udzungwa 

Mountains National Park (199,000 ha), Kilombero Nature Reserve (134,511 ha) and, not included in the 

nominated property, Ukwiva Forest Reserve (78,780 ha). Once linked by the Mngeta Corridor to Kilombero 



Nature Reserve (St John 2008), which abuts Udzungwa Mountains National Park, it will be part of the largest 

forested block within the Udzungwa Mountains as well as the entire Eastern Arc Mountains system. 

3.b Proposed Statement of Outstanding Universal Value 

The Eastern Arc Mountains, encompassing an area of some 23,000 km 2 , are part of the Eastern Afromontane 

hotspot, one of 34 of the world’s richest places for biodiversity that are under continuing extreme threat of loss of 

their original vegetation. This arc of mountains is geologically ancient, dating back at least 30 million years and 

possibly 100 million years, and individual blocks are isolated from each other, with the result that they have 

played an important role as refugia for plants and animals, and as centres of speciation over the millennia. 

The Eastern Arc Mountains and Forests of Tanzania property proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List 

is a series of 9 protected areas within 6 of the 13 blocks that comprise the Eastern Arc Mountains, as follows: 

Serial site Mountain Block 

Amani Nature Reserve East Usambara 

Nilo Nature Reserve East Usambara 

Mkingu Proposed Nature Reserve Nguru 

Chome Proposed Nature Reserve South Pare 

Kilombero Nature Reserve Udzungwa 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park Udzungwa 

Uzungwa Scarp Proposed Nature Udzungwa 

Uluguru Reserve Nature Reserve Uluguru 

Magamba Proposed Nature Reserve West Usambara 

These 9 sites encompass a total area of 451,365 ha, which represents approximately 20% of the Eastern Arc 

Mountains and includes at least 50% of the remaining 3,500 km 2 of forest. The sites have been selected for 

inclusion in the nomination as being, on the basis of current knowledge, universally outstanding examples of 

evolutionary and biogeographical processes, as well as having a wealth of species of plants and animals 

(vertebrates) that are endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains and in numerous cases endemic to an individual site 

within the serial property. 

This serial property is nominated on the basis of the following criteria: 


The property features important biological refugia, having numerous endemic taxa representing ancient 

lineages that have survived millions of years of climatic fluctuations elsewhere on the African continent, as 

well as being centres of more recent speciation and radiation. For example, all of the world’s African violet 

(Saintpaulia) species are located in the forests of these mountains and many are endemic to the area. 

DNA analysis has shown that the property provides a globally important record of the evolution of life on 

earth, especially for ancient groups of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians having 30 million year old 

and older radiations. Such evidence is based on there being at least 40 genera of plants and at least 6 

genera of vertebrates that are endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

The endemism comprises both newly evolved species and ancient relicts that have their origins in 

prehistoric times when a continuous swathe of forest was present across the whole of tropical Africa. This 

unique biogeography of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and its disjunct nature in patches that are elevated 

above the surrounding landscape, give patterns in species distributions and range that are akin to true 

islands, causing it to be dubbed as 'The Galapagos of Africa'. 

Criterion (x) 



The Eastern Arc Mountains rank among the world’s top five sites for their diversity of plants, herpetofauna, 

birds and mammals when compared with 21 tropical forest World Heritage sites. They also hold among the 

highest numbers and concentration of rare and endangered species and genera of flora and fauna in the 

whole of Eastern Africa, including some 1,000 plant taxa believed to be threatened with extinction and 95 

vertebrate species, reputedly the highest concentration of threatened species in the world. Much of this 

diversity is found within the serial sites, including ‘flagship species’; such as five primate species (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 core areas that comprise the World Heritage serial nomination are spatially well-distributed across 

the Eastern Arc Mountains and 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 be 

restricted in their distributions to a single mountain block of the Eastern Arc. Thus, each of the nominated 

core areas holds from 1 to 68 plant taxa and 1-11 vertebrate species that are unique (endemic) to that 

site. 

The 9 serial sites contain examples of each of the main types of forest habitat within the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

The Udzungwa Mountains National Park and Kilombero Nature Reserve contain the full altitudinal range of the 

forest from lowland forest at 200 m, through sub-montane, montane and upper montane forest, to montane 

grasslands, heathlands and bogs above the tree line. Drier and ecologically unique montane woodlands are 

present on the lee slopes of Udzungwa Mountains, and there are important assemblages of xerophytic plants, 

including endemic species, growing on exposed rocky outcrops. 

The series of sites encompass at least 50% of the remaining natural habitat in the Eastern Arc Mountains, 

including true wilderness where there are no visible human impacts and large mammals, such as elephant, buffalo 

and lion, are still found living at high altitudes. The 9 sites are intact and have no people living inside their 

boundaries. 

Five of the 6 largest remaining patches of protected habitat in the Eastern Arc Mountains are included in the 

serial nomination, each of the 5 exceeding 23,000 ha and the rest ranging from approximately 6,000 ha to 

14,000 ha. The two largest sites in the series are contiguous (Udzungwa National Park and Kilombero Nature 

Reserve) and plans are underway to link Kilombero Nature Reserve with the nearby proposed Uzungwa Scarp 

via Mngeta Corridor to provide a contiguous area in excess of 366,000 ha within the Udzungwa Mountain Block. 

This would amount to 16% of the total area of the Eastern Arc Mountains. There are also plans to link the two 

smallest nature reserves, Amani and Nilo, via Derema Corridor to create a contiguous unit of at least 14,600 ha. 

Peripheral to the boundaries of these 9 core areas and, indeed, all natural forests within the Eastern Arc 

Mountains are numerous settlements and extensive areas of cultivation, providing little or no short-term 

opportunity for establishing adjacent buffer zones. 

While there is effectively only 4,000 ha of de facto buffer zone (national Forest Reserves) peripheral to the core 

areas, local authority and village Forest Reserves cover an estimated 7,924 ha in the vicinity of the 9 serial sites. 

These forests meet some of the livelihood needs of village communities and, thereby, play an important role in 

reducing pressures on the forests protected for biodiversity and watershed conservation purposes. Good progress 

is also being made in encouraging village communities to establish buffer strips outside and contiguous with the 

boundary of nature reserve. 

Much more extensive is the network of national Forest Reserves within each mountain block, amounting to some 

126,873 ha, which provide ‘stepping stones’, ‘corridors’ and refuges to plants and animals, all of which contributes 

to the maintenance and exchange of genetic diversity. 

The 9 serial sites comprise 8 nature reserves under the management of the Forestry and Beekeeping Division 

(FDB), of which 3 are in the process of being legally notified in 2010, and 1 national park under the management 

the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). All of these protected areas have management plans, with one 



exception (Uzungwa Scarp) that is being prepared in 2010. The national park management plan is currently 

under revision. 

Management plan objectives focus primarily on biodiversity conservation and also water conservation and 

provision, along with visitor management, research, education, outreach and enforcement. Over the last few 

years there have been significant increases in investment, both in staff numbers and capital expenditure. This 

trend is due to increase exponentially over the next five years for the recently and newly established nature 

reserves. 

Across the Eastern Arc, the communities surrounding the forests are also involved in the management of the 

forest resources. This management takes the form of Joint Management agreements in about 50% of the 

protected areas, whereby communities enter into an agreement with the Forestry and Beekeeping Division for 

the management of the area. There is also an increasing number of Village Land Forest Reserves in the Eastern 

Arc, especially in the East and West Usambara and Udzungwa Mountain blocks. 

3.c. Comparative Analysis 

Global comparisons 

The Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania rank extremely favourably against other tropical forest World 

Heritage properties around the world as summarised in Table 4. In terms of numbers of species, the Eastern Arc 

Mountains is the 6 th most important for vascular plants on a global scale and has the highest actual species 

count for plants, compared to other sites where only estimates are available. No comparative data are available 

for the Discovery Atlantic Forests of Brazil or Canaima National Park in Venezuela, however, both of which may 

rank higher than the Eastern Arc Mountains. Nevertheless, this rank is particularly high within a biogeographical 

context since Africa has a depauperate forest flora compared to Malesia and the Neotropics (Rosenszweig 2002; 

Whitmore 1999). 

Table 4: Comparison of species richness between the Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania and 21 tropical 

forest World Heritage properties (sorted by habitat area) 

World Heritage property Location 

Habitat 

(ha) 

Altitude 

(m) 

Vascular 

plants 

Mammals Birds 

Reptiles & Data 

Amphibians sources 

Salongo National Park D.R. Congo 3,600,000 350–700 ? ? >101 ? (4) 

Tropical Rainforest Heritage Sumatra 2,595,124 0–3805 >4000 201 580 200 (4) (11) 

Lorentz National Park Western Papua 2,350,000 0–5030 >100 411 150 (10) 

Manu National Park Peru 1,532,806 365–4000 2–5000 200–222 850 12 + >77 (10) (11) 

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park Bolivia 1,523,446 200–750 4,000 139 620 74 + 62 (4) 

Kahuzi-Biega National Park D.R. Congo 1,372,625 500–1000 ? 194 224 48+31 (4) (11) 

Transboundary Rainforest Heritage Borneo 1,051,147 150–1960 2807 >54 >300 >112 (4) 

Virunga National Park D.R. Congo 790,000 680–5119 1938 218 706 109+78 (4) (11) 

Darien & Los Katiós National Parks 

Panama & 

Colombia 

651,000 0–2500 

Okapi Faunal Reserve D.R. Congo 600,000 700–3308 

Talamanca Range – La Amistad 

Reserves 

Costa Rica & 

Panama 

2490 

(Darien) 

670 

woody plants 

169 

(Darien) 

533 

(Darien) 

99 + 78 

(10) (11) 

(Darien) 

52 376 ? (4) 

568,627 50–3819 10,000 215 600 250 (11) 

Dja Faunal Reserve Cameroon 526,000 400–800 2000 109 429 ? (4) (11) 

Sangay National Park Ecuador 517,765 800–5319 >3000 400–500 (11) 

Atsinanana Rainforests Madagascar 479,660 0–2658 2598 

74 

(ex bats) 

283 163 + 159 (4) (11) 

Gondwana Rainforests Australia 370,000 0–1600 1625 74 270 110 (4) 

Eastern Arc Mountains Forests Tanzania 350,000 500–2638 3473 161 554 84 + 92 (1) (2) (3) (6) 

Tai National Park Côte d’Ivoire 330,000 80–396 1300 140 250 35 + 53 (4) 



Kinabalu National Park Borneo 75,300 152–4095 5000–6000 326 (10) 

Cerrado sites __ Brazil 65,514 400–1650 2,077 78 >354 84 (4) (10) 

Mount Nimba Nat.Reserve 

Guinea & Côte 

d’Ivoire 

17,740 

+ 31,020 

buffer 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda 32,092 1190–2607 

450–1752 >2000 55 >72 >10 (4) (11) 

>200 

tree spp. 

120 350 ? (4) (11) 

Sinharaja Sri Lanka 8,864 270–1060 39 147 45 + 20 (5) (11) 

Data sources: (1) Lovett, J.C. 1990; (2) Lovett, J.C. 1993; (3) WWF EcoRegions Database; (4) UNEP/WCMC 2007; (5) Sinharaja website 

http://www.sinharaja.4t.com/; (6) TROPICOS database figures courtesy of Dr. Roy E. Gereau; (7) Detailed data sheet on each endemic and threatened species 

originally compiled by Kim Howell of the University of Dar es Salaam, and updated by Jonathan Green of the University of Cambridge with data from Nisha Owen 

(BREAM) and Francesco Rovero (CEPF), January 2010; (8) http://albertinerift.org/portals/49/media/file/Biodiversity-7.pdf Accessed January 2010; (9) 

http://www.panda.org/about_our_earth/ecoregions/cameroon_highlands_forests.cfm Accessed January 2010; (10) UNESCO World Heritage Site Documents, 

available from www.unesco.org; (11) UNEP–WCMC Data sheets http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/pdf/[name].pdf; (12) Detailed data sheet on each endemic 

and threatened species compiled by Michele Menegon, Museo Trento, January 2010. This includes 14 undescribed new amphibian species from Nguru mountains. 

In terms of absolute numbers of vertebrate species, the Eastern Arc Mountains is the 6 th most important site for 

reptile and amphibian diversity, 6 th for bird diversity and 7 th for mammal diversity, with the same caveat that no 

comparative data are available for the Discovery Atlantic Forests or Canaima National Park. Comparison of 

absolute numbers needs to be enhanced by by factoring in the size of an area, as more extensive sites can be 

expected to have a wide variety of habitats and micro-habitats and, therefore, host greater numbers of species. A 

tentative comparison can be made using the area correction equation S=cA z , where S is the number of species, 

A is the habitat area, z is the species–area exponent obtained from the slope of the regression line of log S on 

log A, and c is a constant that describes the steepness of the S to A z regression. Rosenzweig’s (2002) review of 

studies on the species area relationship shows that z values of 0.12 to 0.18 are representative for mainland 

subdivisions. Applying the value of z = 0.12 (favours larger areas) to the dataset of tropical forest World Heritage 

properties (Table 5), the Eastern Arc Mountains ranks equal third in importance for vascular plants, equal fourth 

for both bird and reptile/amphibian diversity, and equal fifth most important site in terms of mammal diversity 

(Table 5a). The same rank order is obtained for the Eastern Arc Mountains if a value of z = 0.18 is applied, which 

favours small areas (Table 5b). Again, comparisons cannot be made with either Discovery Atlantic Forests or 

Canaima National Park. 

Table 5: Ranking of Eastern Arc Mountains with respect to tropical forest World Heritage properties, according 

to their importance for vascular plant and vertebrate species diversity, adjusted for habitat area 

(a) z = 0.12 (favours larger sites) 

Rank Vascular plants Mammals Birds Amphibians and Reptiles 

(z=0.12) 

1 Kinabalu, Borneo Cerrado sites, Brazil Cerrado sites, Brazil Atsinanana, Madagascar 

2 Cerrado sites, Brazil Talamanca–La Amistad, Costa Virunga, D.R. Congo 

Cerrado sites, Brazil 

Rica & Panama 

Manu, Peru 

Talamanca–La Amistad, Costa 

Rica & Panama 

3 Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania Virunga, D.R. Congo – – 

4 Noel Kempff, Bolivia Manu, Peru Talamanca – La Amistad, Costa Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania 

Rica & Panama 

Virunga, D.R. Congo 

Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania Darien, Panama 

5 Tropical Rainforest, Sumatra Kahuzi-Biega, D.R. Congo 

Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania 

Bwindi, Uganda 

Darien, Panama 

Tropical Rainforest, Sumatra 

– – 

(b) z = 0.18 (favours smaller sites) 

Rank Vascular plants Mammals Birds Amphibians and Reptiles 

(z=0.18) 

1 Cerrado sites, Brazil Cerrado sites, Brazil Cerrado sites, Brazil Cerrado sites, Brazil 

2 Kinabalu, Borneo Talamanca-La Amistad, Costa 

Rica & Panama 

Virunga, D.R. Congo Atsinanana, Madagascar 

3 Mount Nimba, Guinea & Liberia Virunga, D.R. Congo 

Manu, Peru Talamanca – La Amistad, Costa 

Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania Bwindi, Uganda 

Rica & Panama 

4 – – Talamanca-La Amistad, Costa Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania 

Rica & Panama 

Darien, Panama 

Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania Virunga, D.R. Congo 

5 Tropical Rainforest, Sumatra Manu, Peru 

Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania 

– – 



Fewer data are available for tropical forest World Heritage properties to compare endemism, with the additional 

problem of distinguishing between strict endemism and near-endemism, especially when examining properties 

that comprise a portion of formerly more extensive lowland forest areas. Using the limited data available for 

animals, the entire Eastern Arc Mountains ranks as the world’s 2 nd most important site in terms of absolute 

numbers of endemic reptiles and amphibians, and 5 th most important site for both endemic birds and mammals 

(Table 6). Too few data are available to make a realistic comparison of endemic plant diversity. 

Table 6: Comparison of endemic species richness between the Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania and 

21 tropical forest World Heritage properties (sorted by habitat area) 

World Heritage 

property 

Salongo National 

Park 

Tropical Rainforest 

Heritage 

Noel Kempff Mercado 

National Park 

Kahuzi-Biega 

National Park 

Transboundary 

Rainforest Heritage 

Location Habitat 

(ha) 

Altitude 

(m) 

D.R. Congo 3,600,000 350–700 

Sumatra 2,595,124 0–3805 

Bolivia 1,523,446 200–750 

D.R. Congo 1,372,625 500–1000 

Borneo 1,051,147 150–1960 

Virunga National Park D.R. Congo 790,000 680–5119 

Okapi Faunal 

Reserve 

Talamanca Range – 

La Amistad Reserves 

D.R. Congo 600,000 700–3308 

Costa Rica & 

Panama 

Threatened 

species* 

1 CR 

1 EN 

4 VU 

19 CR 

23 EN 

*45 VU 

4 EN 

6 VU 

1 CR 

4 EN 

7 VU 

49 CR 

29 EN 

42 VU 

plants 

1 CR 

4 EN 

7 VU 

4 EN 

6 VU 

568,627 50–3819 Several hundred 

Dja Faunal Reserve Cameroon 526,000 400–800 

Atsinanana 

Rainforests 

Gondwana 

Rainforests 

Eastern Arc 

Mountains Forests 

Madagascar 479,660 0–2658 

5 EN 

10 VU 

9 CR 

27 EN 

Endemic 

vascular 

plants 

Australia 370,000 0–1600 1,625 9% 

Tanzania 350,000 500–2630 

Tai National Park Côte d’Ivoire 330,000 80–396 

Discovery Atlantic 

Forests 

13 CR 

40 EN 

42 VU 

animals 

1 CR 

8 EN 

14 VU 

Endemic 

vertebrates (not 

birds) 

Endemic 

birds 

? (4) 

Data 

sources 


680 

24 

75 

total 92 

mammals 15 

21 (4) (11) 

? (4) 

Total 76 

herps 40 

42 (4) (11) 

(4) 

24 (4) (11) 

15% (4) 

total 48–63 

mammals 13 

herps 20 

15–30 (11) 

high high high (4) 

85 

453 

Total 186 

mammal 36 

reptiles 74 

amphibians 76 

Total 67 

mammals 22 

herps 45 

Total 82–96 

mammals 12 

reptiles 31 

amphibians 53 

45 (4) (11) 

(4) 

150 (4) 

21 (6) (7) (12) 

Brazil 111,930 0–536 Extremely high ? ? 200 (10) 

Cerrado sites __ Brazil 65,514 400–1650 

Mount Nimba 

Nat.Reserve 

Bwindi Impen. 

National Park 

Guinea & Côte 

d’Ivoire 

17,740 

+ 31,020 

buffer 

450–1752 

Uganda 32,092 1190–2607 

2 CR 

7 EN 

16 VU 

2 CR 

7 EN 

10 VU 

5 EN 

7 VU 

? (4) (10) 

16 (4) (11) 

Sinharaja Sri Lanka 8,864 270-1060 140 

mammals 8 

herps 31 

*Threatened species categories: CR = CRitically endangered, EN = ENdangered, VU = VUlnerable (IUCN, 2009) 

(4) (11) 

19 (5) (11)


The statistics also suggest that the Eastern Arc Mountains have a higher number of threatened species (animals) 

than many of the other World Heritage properties compared in Table 5, many of which are known to be endemic 

to these Mountains. However, it is acknowledged that data are unavailable or not comprehensive for quite a 

number of properties, including plants in the case of the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

African comparisons 

Plant endemism in tropical Africa (excluding the Cape) peaks in upland mountain ranges, where the Eastern Arc 

has almost as many endemic plant species compared with the entire Albertine Rift, which is about 5 times larger 

and has a greater altitudinal range (Table 7). Eastern Arc vertebrate endemism compares favourably with the 

Albertine Rift (and Cameroon Highlands) and, in the case of reptiles, is higher than the Albertine Rift. 

Table 7: Comparison of endemic species richness in African mountain forests (sorted by area of region) 

Ecosystem Broad area (ha) Vascular plant 

endemics 

Mammal 

endemics 

Bird 

endemics 

Reptile 

endemics 

Amphibian 

endemics 

Data 

sources 

Albertine Rift 10,390,000 567 34 51 21 39 (3) (8) 

Cameroon 

Highlands 

Eastern Arc 

Mountains 

3,800,000 >50 14 24 12 26 (9) (3) 

2,370,000 554 15 37 39 31 (6) (3) 

Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and a World Heritage, is located in Tanzania close to the Eastern Arc 

Mountains. It is relatively recent in geological origin (less than 2 million years) and its forests are not known to 

possess any strictly endemic species of vertebrates or plants. The only endemic species located on Kilimanjaro 

are in the montane heathlands and moorlands at high altitude, and these are all recently evolved from species that 

have managed to colonise through long distance aerial dispersal, for example giant lobelia, giant senecio and 

various insects. In comparison, the Eastern Arc Mountains are vastly richer in terms of narrowly endemic species 

of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants, and their forests have a very much longer history stretching back almost 

certainly 30 if not 100 million years. 

3.d Integrity 

The 9 sites comprising the serial nomination proposed for the Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania World 

Heritage property contain the full range of altitudinal variation in habitats and biomes associated with this 

ecosystem, ranging from lowland forest to submontane, montane and upper montane forest, as well as high 

altitudinal grassland, wetlands and bogs. Drier and ecologically unique montane woodlands are present on the 

lee slopes of Udzungwa Mountains, and there are important assemblages of xerophytic plants, including 

endemic species, growing on exposed rocky outcrops. 

The series of sites encompass at least 50 % of the remaining natural habitat in the Eastern Arc Mountains 

(precise data are not available). The more remote sites are true wilderness, with large mammals such as 

elephant, buffalo and lion still found living at high altitudes where there are no visible human impacts. 

Five of the 6 largest remaining patches of protected habitat in the Eastern Arc Mountains are included in the 

serial nomination, each of the 5 exceeding 23,000 ha and the rest ranging from approximately 6,000 ha to 

14,000 ha (see Annex 3). The two largest sites in the series are contiguous (Udzungwa National Park and 

Kilombero Nature Reserve) and plans are underway to link Kilombero Nature Reserve with the nearby proposed 

Uzungwa Scarp via Mngeta Corridor to provide a contigous area in excess of 366,000 ha within the Udzungwa 

Mountain Block. This would amount to 16% of the total area of the Eastern Arc Mountains. There are also plans 

to link the two smallest nature reserves, Amani and Nilo, via the Derema Corridor to create a contigous unit of at 

least 14,600 ha. 



The 9 sites are intact and have no people living inside their boundaries. They are managed by the Forestry and 

Beekeeping Division, and Tanzania National Parks under the auspices of the Ministry of Natural Resources and 

Tourism. In the case of Amani Nature Reserve there are two long-established enclaves where progressive 

cooperation with the owners of a tea estate has resulted in some privately-owned natural forest being handed 

back to FBD. 

Peripheral to the boundaries of these 9 core areas and, indeed, all natural forests within the Eastern Arc 

Mountains, however, are numerous settlements and extensive areas of cultivation, providing little or no short-term 

opportunity for establishing adjacent buffer zones. 

While there is effectively only 4,000 ha of de facto buffer zone (national Forest Reserves) peripheral to the core 

areas, as summarised in Section 1.f, local authority and village Forest Reserves cover an estimated 7,924 ha in 

the vicinity of the 9 serial sites. These forests meet some of the livelihood needs of village communities and, 

thereby, play an important role in reducing pressures on the forests protected for biodiversity and watershed 

conservation purposes. Good progress is also being made in encouraging village communities to establish buffer 

strips outside and contiguous with the boundary of nature reserve. 

Much more extensive is the network of national Forest Reserves within each mountain block, amounting to some 

126,873 ha, which provide ‘stepping stones’, ‘corridors’ and refuges to plants and animals, all of which contributes 

to the maintenance and exchange of genetic diversity. 



4. State of Conservation and factors affecting 

the property 

4.a Present state of conservation 

The State of Conservation within the Eastern Arc Mountains World Heritage property is closely tied to 

management policies and capacity of the government Forestry and Beekeeping Division and Tanzania National 

Parks. 

The Forestry and Beekeeping Division manages its network of four Nature Reserves (172,500 ha) and four proposed 

Nature Reserves (80,000 ha) through the Nature Reserves Unit, based out of Morogoro and Dar es Salaam. Each 

Nature Reserve has a conservator and a staff provided by Forestry and Beekeeping Division and paid from central 

government funds. Nature Reserves are somewhat better funded than national Forest Reserves because they 

receive both funding from the central government, but also are able to fundraise and retain their own takings. 

Tanzania National Parks manages the Udzungwa Mountains National Park (199,000 ha) from the Park headquarters 

in Mangula. It has a chief park warden and a staff to manage the park. The budget is provided by Tanzania National 

Parks from the proceeds of the profitable parks in the northern part of the country, mainly derived from tourism 

revenues. 

Local people living around the Nature Reserves, proposed Nature Reserves and National Park in the Eastern Arc 

World Heritage property generally respect the reserve boundaries and do not encroach within the reserves to 

establish new farms. However, forest resources are used locally (and illegally) for the collection of fuel wood and 

building materials (planks, poles) and some forests are degraded. Fire is also a problem as it enters and can 

destroy these forests during the dry season. The various management agencies try and control these activities, 

and sometimes make local agreement s to allow some of the activities to proceed in return for local assistance in 

managing the reserves to a higher level of protection. This ‘Joint Forest Management’ approach has been 

implemented in the Amani, Kilombero and Uluguru Nature Reserve. It is also proposed for other Nature 

Reserves and proposed Nature Reserves as well. 

4.b Factors affecting the property 

(i) Development Pressures (e.g., encroachment, adaptation, agriculture, mining) 

A prioritised list of the overall threats affecting the Eastern Arc Mountains has been developed through an 

extensive stakeholder process between 2004 and 2008. In terms of their area (extent), importance (severity) and 

required actions (urgency) a ranked list of the main threats is presented below. Most of these pressures / threats 

are related to human activities in the region, but not all can be termed development pressures as such. 

Threat Extent Severity Urgency Total 

Uncontrolled fire 10 9 10 29 

Conversion of natural habitats to 

agriculture 

9 10 9 28 

Illegal logging 7 7 6 20 

Unsustainable collection of 8 6 7 21 

firewood and building materials 



Inappropriate mining practices 1 8 8 17 

Illegal grazing 4 4 5 13 

Unsustainable hunting/poaching 6 5 4 15 

Unsustainable collection for the 

pet trade 

3 1 3 7 

Unsustainable 

medicinal plants 

collection of 5 3 2 10 

Invasive species 2 2 1 5 

Key to the overall ranking of threat 

Very High 

High 

Medium 

Low 

Fire is a major challenge to the management of the Eastern Arc Mountain forests; fires often start on the lower slopes 

of the mountains and spread up the slope and towards the forest. Fires are frequent in the dry season, and reach 

their peak in the September / November period. In dry years the fire can enter the forest and destroy areas of pristine 

natural forest habitat., Controlling fire and preventing it entering the natural forest is one of the major management 

challenges for the Forestry and Beekeeping Division and Tanzania National Parks when managing their network of 

reserves. 

Human population densities in the Eastern Arc Mountains are high and there is heavy pressure for agricultural 

land. Most unprotected forest has already been lost and encroachment also occurs into some reserves when 

management capacity is inadequate. For example, when local people realised in the early 1990s that an area of 

sub-montane forest in the northern Uluguru Mountains was not within the forest reserve, it was rapidly deforested 

for banana plantations and subsistence agriculture. 

The Eastern Arc Mountains contain commercially valuable timber species, such as Milicia excelsa, Khaya 

anthotheca, Beilschmedia kweo, Ocotea usambarensis and Podocarpus spp. Many of these species have been 

logged on these mountains for more than a century, and in some parts of the region large specimens are 

commercially extinct. All timber harvesting from the Eastern Arc forests is illegal, as logging has been banned 

since 1985, but it is difficult to eliminate entirely. 

People living on the slopes of the Eastern Arc Mountains and in nearby towns make use of forest resources to 

support their livelihoods. An important use of some forests is a source of firewood for cooking. Other uses 

include hunting, gathering medicinal plants, and as a place for traditional ceremonies – including burials. 

Finally, across different Eastern Arc mountain blocks there are variable degrees of artisanal mining for gold, 

rubies, garnets and other semi-previous stones. During 2004/05 a gold rush has affected the East and West 

Usambaras and the Nguu Mountains, but this has been stopped. 

Exotic species are also a threat where they can invade natural forest. Lantana camara is found throughout the 

Eastern Arc and prefers disturbed areas, mainly outside the of forest. In the East Usambara Mountains there is also 

the invasive tree Maesopsis emeni, and there is Eucalyptus in the Pare Mountains. 



The specific threats to the individual components of the Eastern Arc Mountains World Heritage Site are outlined 

below: 

Name Main threats / management challenges 

Chome proposed 


Magamba 

proposed Nature 

Reserve 

Nilo Nature 

Reserve 

Amani Nature 

Reserve 

Mkingu proposed 


Uluguru Nature 

Reserve 

Kilombero 


Udzungwa 

Mountains 

National Park 

Uzungwa Scarp 

proposed Nature 

Reserve 

Logging of Ocotea usambarensis and Podocarpus species. Still an issue even despite 

efforts of central government to control. Fire spreading into the reserve and causing 

grassland and bracken dominated areas to expand at the expense of natural forest. 

Hunting animals for food. 

Logging of Ocotea usambarensis and Podocarpus species. Presence of exotic conifer 

plantations on the margins of the reserve. Hunting animals for food. 

Small scale logging of timber species and the collection of firewood and minor forest 

products. Hunting animals for food. 

Gold mining along streams and in swampy areas was an issue in recent years. Small 

scale collection of forest products. Occasional fire spreading from lowlands into the forest 

on the drier western margins. 

Underplanting of forest with cardamom. A forest enclave of farming people. Fires 

spreading from the lowlands into the forest on the southern margins. Some logging of 

valuable species. Hunting animals for food. 

Collection of firewood at higher altitudes. Logging of trees for timber and for the 

production of utensils in the forest above Morogoro town. Some invasion by Rubus 

species in the southern forests. Hunting animals for food. 

Hunting of larger mammals at low intensity, including poaching of elephants. Fires 

spreading from grasslands into forest areas. 

Fires spreading from grasslands into forest areas. Increasing human populations need 

more firewood from the park and there is an increasing pressure for other resources as 

well. Presence of exotic teak trees in the natural forest. 

Hunting pressure on larger mammals, including endemic monkeys. Logging of trees for 

timber. Cutting of woody materials as firewood and building poles. 

(ii) Environmental pressures (e.g., pollution, climate change, desertification) 

The Eastern Arc Mountains do not suffer very much from pollution. It is not believed that there is any impact on the 

natural habitats of the forests or grasslands. There is also very little industry and not much use of agricultural 

fertilizers or pesticides. Rivers that flow in areas of high population density outside the forest areas might have 

moderate levels of pollution – from human excrement and from washing clothes. 

The Eastern Arc is likely to be heavily impacted by climate change in the coming years. Although the region of East 

Africa is predicted to get somewhat wetter, it will also get hotter. This climatic change is predicted to drive some of 

the species up the mountains, and potentially out of available climate space. As such some of the narrowly endemic 

high mountain specialists may suffer adversely, or even become extinct. However, it is hard to generalise as the 

mountains are highly topographically varied and it could be possible that all species will be able to survive in tiny 

habitat remnants, for example in valleys or gullies and hence maintain populations even under climatic changes. 

There is not going to be any impact of desertification on the Eastern Arc Mountains. This is because the Eastern Arc 

is well away from the regions that are suffering from deforestation. 

(iii) Natural disasters and risk preparedness (earthquakes, floods, fires, etc.) 

The Eastern Arc Mountains do not suffer from earthquakes, cyclones of major floods. 

The Mountains are somewhat prone to landslides and landslips. But this does not cause a major impact on the 

forests, except for in a few exceptionally unstable areas. 



The main natural disaster is fire. In dry years the mountains are susceptible to pressure from fires that spread up the 

mountains from the lowlands and can enter the forests and destroy large areas. Fire is used by local people to clear 

farms and make areas suitable for hunting. When these fires get out of control (or are purposely set by 

troublemakers) then high levels of damage to the forests can occur. 

(iv) Visitor/tourism pressures 

The current number of tourists visiting the Eastern Arc Mountains is estimated from a partial survey completed in 

2008 to be at least 10,201 tourists spending at least one night in 6 of the Eastern Arc Mountain blocks in 2007. Of 

these it is estimated that at least 1,500 and perhaps as many as 3,000 visit the forest. Tourists mainly go to the West 

Usambara, East Usambara and Udzungwa ranges. Some also visit the Ulugurus, mainly from Morogoro. Very few 

tourists visit the other mountain blocks. Some students and researchers also visit the Amani Nature Reserve Centre 

in Amani, or the Udzungwa Mountains Ecological Research Centre in Mangula (close to the Udzungwa Mountains 

National Park). 

(v) Number of inhabitants within the property and the buffer zone 

There are 1.5 million people living in the Eastern Arc Mountains, located within 15 Districts. This is all within the 

buffer zone of the forest area. It is not sure how many of these people have a direct relationship to, and utilise, the 

forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains. But in the Uluguru Mountains at least – fully 50 villages with a population of 

over 50,000 people are immediately adjacent to the mountain forests that are included within the Eastern Arc WH 

site. 

Estimated population located within: 

Area of nominated property The property contains no people living permanently 

Buffer zone (reserves in mountain block containing core sites) 1,250,000 

Total human population within relevant mountain blocks = 1,250,000 



5. Protection and Management of the Property 

5.a Ownership 

The core elements of the proposed World Heritage property (Udzungwa Mountains National Park and the four 

existing and four proposed Nature Reserves) are all owned and managed by the central government through the 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park covers 199,000 ha and managed by the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), a 

parastatal organisation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. TANAPA was established in 1959 

through the national parks ordinance and is now under the National Parks Act Cap. 282 of 2002. All matters 

relating to the establishment and gazettment, degazettment and change of purpose of a National Parks fall under 

this Act. National Parks are established after consent of parliament and gazettment must be endorsed by the 

President. TANAPA receives no funds from government and in fact pays corporate tax to the treasury. TANAPA 

took management of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park area in 1992, after the park was created from three 

national Forest Reserves that had previously been managed by the Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the same 

Ministry of government. 

The four gazetted Nature Reserves (Kilombero - Udzungwa, Uluguru - Uluguru, Nilo and Amani – East Usambara; 

covering 173,231 ha) and the four proposed Nature Reserves (Mkingu - Nguru, Magamba – West Usambara, 

Uzungwa Scarp – Udzungwa and Chome – South Pare; covering 82,080 ha) are managed by the Nature Reserves 

Unit of the Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. These Nature 

Reserves have largely been created by re-gazetting, upgrading and amalgamating a number of national Forest 

Reserves managed by the same Division of government. 

The buffer zone areas around the core sites within the Eastern Arc World Heritage property consist of some national 

Forest Reserves managed the catchment forest programme of the Forestry and Beekeeping Division, or are local 

authority Forest Reserves managed by District councils and under the Prime Ministers Office for Regional and 

Local Government (PMO-RALG). 

The potential to include additional sites in the future that meet criteria of Outstanding Universal Value, but which do 

not have adequate management in place has also been considered here. All the sites that might ultimately be 

included are national Forest Reserves under the management of the Forestry and Beekeeping Division of 

government. As such they are owned by the same agency involved with the original set of sites. 

5.b Protective designation 

The Udzungwa Mountains National Park is declared by an act of Parliament and has existed since 1992. This 

legislation only permits tourism and photography and limited research. No utilisation is allowed. Udzungwa 

Mountains National Park was gazetted on 20 th March 1992 (Government Notice No. 39) as an IUCN category II 

protected area. Copies of the gazettment are attached to this dossier. 

The four declared Nature Reserves within the Eastern Arc have been gazetted by the government of Tanzania. 

Copies of the published gazettment notices are included in this dossier, but the relevant summary details are as 

follows: 



Amani – Government Notice no. 152 of the 8 th May 1997 (map JB no. 2260). IUCN cat. Ib 

Nilo - Government Notice no. 234 of the 7 th December 2007 (map JB no. 2229). IUCN cat 1b 

Kilombero - Government Notice no. 182 of the 17 August 2007 (map JB no. 2525). IUCN cat 1b 

Uluguru - Government Notice no. 296 of the 7 th November 2008 (map JB no. 2541). IUCN cat IV 

The four proposed Nature Reserves are all in the final stages of gazettment the relevant gazettment notices will be 

published during 2010. Of these Mkingu (JB 2620a), and Uzungwa Scarp are proposed as IUCN category 1b 

protected areas, and Chome and Magamba as category IV protected areas. Even without re-gazettment as Nature 

Reserves all these areas already exist legally in the form of gazetted national Forest Reserves, and all have existed 

in this legal status for at least 40 years. Hence they are extremely well established and legally secure. 

Nature Reserves in Tanzania are managed by the Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the Ministry of Natural 

Resources and Tourism according to the Forest Policy of 1998 and the Forest Act No.14 of 2002. These legal 

instruments, and their associated regulations, provide the mechanism and guidance for broad scale management of 

the sites. The legal provisions state that the reserves are to be managed for protection of the forest habitat and the 

species of plants and animals that live within these reserves. No extraction of woody materials is allowed. 

Agreements for co-management can be negotiated with forest-adjacent communities. 

There are also a number of other policies and laws that are relevant to the management of the Eastern Arc 

Mountains region. Some of these are Environmental Policy and Environmental Law (2007); Land Policy (1999), 

Land act and Village Land Act (1999); Wildlife Policy (revised 2008) and Wildlife Conservation Act (2009); 

Tourism Policy (2008) and Tourism Act (2008), Tanzania National Park policy (1994). 

5.c Means of implementing protective measures. 

Protective measures within the proposed Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania World Heritage Site are 

implemented through a framework of policies, legislations, regulation and strategies. These are translated on the 

ground by the relevant management agencies (TANAPA and FBD) through the development of overarching 

management strategies and site-based management plans. This section of the dossier presents summary 

information on the main overarching policies and management plans that provide the means to implement protective 

measures on the ground. 

National Forest Programme 

The National Forest Programme outlines broad goals for forest management in Tanzania. This programme 

document was completed in 2002 and provides guidance and targets for forest management to be implemented by 

all stakeholders in Tanzania (central and local government, private sector, individuals). Those parts of the National 

Forest Programme that relate to the management of natural forests are summarised below. 

Sub-programme Key Issues 8 Key Strategies 

1.1 Participatory 

Forest Resources 

Management and 

Gender Aspects 9 * 

• Ineffective forest 

management due to the 

lack of involvement, 

motivation and benefits 

to local communities, 

private sector and other 

stakeholders. (H) 

• Inadequate gender 

aspect in forestland 

management. (H) 

8 H = High priority M = Medium priority L = Low priority 

9 * = Priority Sub-programmes 

• Establish Community Based Forest Management 

and Joint Forest Management (CBFM and JFM) by 

using innovative ways to share the costs and 

benefits and by assessing the economic, financial 

and social viability of participatory initiatives. Pay 

attention to gender balance in terms of income 

generation opportunities, poverty reduction, 

decision-making and ownership of forest resources 

and products. 

• Collaborate with local governments in the 

management of forests in the general lands and 




local government forest reserves. 

• Involve specialized executive agencies, private 

sector and local governments by commercialization 

or privatization of the management of existing 

industrial plantations through concessions and 

leases. 

• Expand existing plantations and promote tree 

1.2 Forest 

Biodiversity 

Conservation and 

Management* 

1.3 Land Use 

Planning 

planting in private farmlands. 

• Degradation and erosion • Assess forest biodiversity sites and habitats with 

of biodiversity due to high endemism and species richness under major 

shifting cultivation ecozones and create conservation strategies and 

overgrazing, 

joint management agreements 

monoculture, wildfires 

and poaching. (H) 

• Demarcate and manage protective buffer zones 

around gazetted forest and nature reserves with 

• Inadequate application of biodiversity, water and other amenity values in 

indigenous knowledge in 

biodiversity conservation. 

collaboration with local communities through JFM 

(M) 

• Undefined land use and 

security of tenure of 

forestlands in village and 

general land. (H) 

• Land scarcity due to 

population pressure and 

its negative effects on 

forest development (L). 

1.4 Forest Resources • Inadequate data on 

Information and available forest 

Management Planning resources for utilisation, 

and baseline data for 

conservation and 

management purposes. 

(H) 

• Management plans 

non-existent or outdated 

or not implemented. (H) 

• Inadequate information 

on ecosystems (forest 

biodiversity, water 

catchment and soil 

conservation). (H) 

• Outdated and nonexistent 

management 

plans in watershed and 

soil conservation areas. 

(H) 

• Inadequate collection, 

analysis interpretation, 

dissemination, storage 

and updating of forest 

1.5 Forest Resources 

Utilisation 

resource information. (H) 

• Inefficient utilisation of 

plantations. (H) 

• Potential for forest 

products, non-wood 

forest products (NWFP) 

and services (including 

eco-tourism, woodfuel) 

not fully 

• Develop clear ownership for all forests and trees on 

general lands. 

• Demarcate forest reserves under central, local 

government, village and private individuals and 

grant appropriate user rights. 

• Streamline forest resources information systems 

by assessing the current databases/registries and 

priority needs for new forest resource information. 

• Conduct forest inventories and develop 

management plans together with the relevant 

stakeholders in priority plantations and natural 

forest areas. 

• Establish new, cost-effective ways to conduct and 

prepare forest reconnaissance inventories, 

biological surveys and zonation and prepare low 

cost management plans. 

• Commercialise or privatize the management of 

existing plantations through concessions, leases 

and joint management and use fully the plantation 

potential in terms of quantity and quality. 

• Assess and promote utilization of forest products, 

NWFPs and services for wider use and incomegeneration, 

especially among the rural 

communities. 




Eastern Arc Conservation Strategy 

assessed/utilised. (M) 

• Heavy dependency on 

few species for raw 

material supply for 

forest-based industry. (L) 

• Assess and create awareness on lesser-known 

species for wider utilization. 

For the Eastern Arc there is one strategic document that defines management needs, targets, and activities to 

achieve sustainable conservation of the entire region. This was developed over 4 years through a detailed 

participatory process with all relevant stakeholders from village to national levels. As such this document provides a 

framework for management and suggests a management structure that might be able to implement that framework. 

The conservation strategies identified in the Eastern Arc Strategy document that have been identified to address 

the priority threats facing the Eastern Arc are as follows: 

Main elements of the Eastern Arc Conservation Strategy 

Main threat Strategies identified Comments 

Uncontrolled Fire Raise awareness and 

support fire control measures 

Agriculture 

expansion and 

illegal grazing 

Gazette upper catchment 

areas 

Fire is a huge problem to control. Solving it requires 

concerted action at village, District and Regional levels. 

Actions by FBD and other protected area managers 

are also important. 

Most forest is in reserves. Concerted action is needed 

by FBD to gazette proposed national Forest Reserves, 

by Districts to gazette proposed local authority Forest 

Reserves, and by villages to declare new Village 

Forest Reserves. 

Multisectoral collaboration Weak sectoral coordination allows people into forests 

where they cause problems – e.g. miners. A high level 

committee between Ministries aims at concerted and 

Land use planning at the 

village level 

Illegal logging Promoting the effectiveness 

of Participatory Forest 

Management 

Unsustainable 

collection of 

Firewood and 

Building Materials 

Promoting alternative 

economic activities 

Expand village land, 

community based, and 

private fuel wood plantations 

coordinated action across the Eastern Arc. 

Some forest remains on village land and could be 

managed as Village Forest Reserves. However, most 

villages are not yet formally surveyed and do not have 

agreed land use plans where forest areas are set aside 

for sustainable use or conservation. 

PFM is a major strategy for conservation management 

in the Eastern Arc, involving local people in 

management of the forests. Although operational, it 

needs to be improved to deliver further benefits for 

people and for forest conservation, for example in 

controlling illegal logging. 

Logging is illegal in the Eastern Arc Mountain forests. 

However, illegal logging generates important revenue 

in some communities. Hence there is a need to 

provide alternative economic activities for communities 

to reduce the demand for logging income. 

Fire wood and building poles are a major use of natural 

forests in the Eastern Arc. Setting aside land for fast 

growing trees that are suitable for firewood and 

building materials could help take pressure off the 

remaining natural forests to supply these resources 

Illegal Mining Strengthen management Mining takes place in some Forest Reserves where it 



capacity and raise awareness causes much damage. Mechanisms are needed to 

solve conflicts between miners and foresters. 

Illegal hunting and Promote hunting control with PFM is a major conservation management strategy in 

poaching 

PFM Agreements 

the Eastern Arc mountains. If the prevention of illegal 

hunting could be included in the PFM agreements, it 

might be possible to better control hunting of rare 

animals. 

Invasive Alien Reduce expansion of Non-native plants are invading Eastern Arc forests and 

species 

invasive species 

grasslands, especially where there is a lot of human 

disturbance. Knowing the scale of the problem and 

starting to address it is increasingly important. 

Unsustainable Situation Analysis and Endemic animals are collected from the Eastern Arc 

collection for pet Education and Awareness forest and sold to Europe, USA and the Far East as 

trade 

household pets. There are export quotas, but these 

are not well enforced. Knowing if the pet trade has an 

impact on key species is becoming and important issue 

Reducing water Water flow and quality The Eastern Arc has national importance for providing 

quality and quantity 

water. Information on water flows and water quality is 

often old and unreliable. Refurbishing and maintaining 

the hydrological monitoring network, and gathering 

monitoring data is critical. 

Insufficient 

Information, education and Conservation awareness is low in the Eastern Arc. It is 

awareness awareness 

important that people can make conservation decisions 

based on improved awareness of the values of the 

Eastern Arc and available management options 

Insufficient finance Sustainable finance Funding provided for management of the Eastern Arc 

is small and often comes from time-limited projects. A 

source of sustainable funding for management is 

critical if long-term forest conservation is to be 

improved. 

Adverse climate Climate change mitigation Climate changes are predicted to impact on Eastern 

change 

Africa and may have dramatic negative consequences 

for the region. Most of the solutions lie beyond 

Tanzania’s borders, but Tanzania needs to undertake 

conservation activities with due consideration of the 

potential climate change impacts. 

Management Plans for Individual Sites 

At the operational level of implementation, the work to be done to achieve conservation of the World Heritage is 

outlined in detailed management plans. These plans are developed according to national guidelines and define the 

management required at each site. They are outlined below. 

National Parks. The Udzungwa Mountains National Park has an approved management plan from 2001. This is in 

the process of being revised and is expected to be finished by June 2010. A copy of the current plan is provided with 

this nomination dossier. 

Nature Reserves. 

As per existing laws and guidelines the management of protected forests should be done in participatory manner. For 

that aspect, preparation and implementation of the management plans use participatory approaches. The custodian 

of the reserves are conservators, Regional Catchment Managers, District Catchment Managers, District Natural 



Resource officers or chair of the forest committees for the case of Village and community forest Reserves. The 

status of the management plans for the various Nature Reserves is outlined below. 

Amani Nature Reserve (first plan 1999, updated 2007). Under implementation. 

Nilo Nature Reserve (first plan 2009). Under implementation. 

Uluguru Nature Reserve (first plan 2008, together with landscape management framework 2008). Under 

implementation. 

Kilombero Nature Reserve (first plan 2009). Under implementation. 

Mkingu proposed Nature Reserve (first plan 2009). Awaiting gazettment. 

Magamba proposed Nature Reserve (first plan 2009). Awaiting gazettment. 

Chome proposed Nature Reserve (first plan 2003, updated plan 2009). Awaiting gazettment. 

Uzungwa Scarp proposed Nature Reserve (first plan under development). Awaiting gazettment. 

5.d Existing plans related to municipality and region in which 

the proposed property is located (e.g., regional or local plan, 

conservation plan, tourism development plan) 

The Eastern Arc Mountains area contains five administrative regions and 15 Districts. 

Each Region develops a plan for the management of the land under its control. However, the role of the Regions has 

been reduced through decentralisation and the Regional Secretariats are now mainly advisory in nature. 

Within each District there is a development plan that is revised every 5 years. These plans define the priorities of the 

Districts. Although the Eastern Arc World Heritage Site is made up of reserves that are owned and managed by 

central government agencies, the plans of the district are relevant as many of the management challenges facing the 

conservation of the Eastern Arc and the communities surrounding the reserves. 

In terms of a conservation plan for the Eastern Arc region, the Eastern Arc Strategy document (see above) developed 

by the Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism serves that purpose. The 

plan has been discussed and agreed at each of the 15 districts and 5 regions across the Eastern Arc. 

As far as we are aware, there are no regional tourism plans for the area. However, there are local tourism initiatives 

in the South Pare, Uluguru and Udzungwa Mountains, which aim to boost the number of people visiting these 

mountains. 

5.e Property management plan or other management system 

Property Management Plan 

The Eastern Arc Mountains region of Tanzania also has an official management strategy; which was developed by 

Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the Government of Tanzania with support from UNDP-GEF over the period 

2004-2008 and was published in 2009. Main elements of this plan are outlined above. This strategy document 

covers all the protected forests managed by the Forest and Beekeeping Division within the Eastern Arc 

Mountains and have strong links to those managed by Tanzania National Parks Authority (Udzungwa and 

Mikumi National Parks). The document has text that defines the values of the area, the threats face, and the main 

conservation strategies to address the threats. An action plan is also developed to ensure that the conservation 



actions follow logically from the agreed strategies. Since being developed the Eastern Arc strategy is now under 

implementation by FBD and is being rolled out to the Districts of the Eastern Arc Mountains as well. 

Management System. 

The proposed site comprises one National Park managed by the National Parks authority and a series of eight 

Nature Reserves managed by the Forest and Beekeeping Division – both of the Ministry of Natural Resources and 

Tourism. 

The Nature Reserves Unit will provide the management system for the eight Nature Reserves. The Nature 

Reserves unit is housed in the ‘Eastern Arc Conservation Centre’ in Morogoro, and is overseen by the head of 

catchment and Nature Reserves sections based at the FBD headquarters in Dar es Salaam. This center also 

houses the ‘Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund’ which is an independent permanent funding 

mechanism for conservation in the Eastern Arc. It is proposed that the centre could also form the administrative 

base for the management secretariat of the World Heritage Site. The government is also in the process of 

planning the establishment of the Tanzania Forest Service and the Tanzania Forest Fund, aimed at enhancing the 

capacity of FBD. Funding for the Udzungwa Mountains National Park is generated from tourism fees and from 

donor funding to a limited extent. 

5.f Sources and levels of finance 

The core funding for the management of the Eastern Arc World Heritage property (the network of existing reserves) 

comes from the Government of Tanzania (Central and Local Government). In some of the Eastern Arc forests there 

is also donor funding to assist management input. This has been dramatically reduced in the past few years. The 

catchment forest programme of the Forestry and Beekeeping Division (the manager of most of the reserves in the 

Eastern Arc) has also been receiving funding for the past years from the Norwegian Government. This funding 

allows some enhanced management of the catchment forest reserves. 

The funding available for the management of the core sites within the Eastern Arc Mountains has increased over 

time, and is currently around four times the allocation in 2004. This is proposed to increase still further. Even 

allowing for depreciation of the Tanzanian shilling this is still in major increase in funding commitment to the 

management of these sites. 

Figure 8 Funding allocated to the nine sites in the proposed Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania World 

Heritage Site from 2004/05-2010/11 

Budget (000 Tsh) 

3,500,000 

3,000,000 

2,500,000 

2,000,000 

1,500,000 

1,000,000 

500,000 

0 

2004/05 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 

At the same time as this increase from the Tanzanian government, the support to forest conservation from donors 

has declined dramatically. 



Table 8. Budget details for the nine sites of the proposed Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania World Heritage site 

Mtn Block 

Protected 

Area 

Guidance & budget 


Financial 

Year Government expenditure (T.Shs) 000 

Total 

T.Shs 

(000s) 

Capital/development expenditure Recurrent expenditure 

Physical resources Salaries office Publicity Vehicle Others 

Buildings/ tourist facilities 

Procurement (vehicles /equipment) 

Forest operations 

Buffer zones/community participation / 

IGAs 

E. 

Usambara Amani NR 2008/09 1,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,000 298,400 

E. 

Usambara Amani NR 2009/10 168,045 11,600 12,000 90,310 28,565 12,550 780 2,125 0 10,115 0 347,000 

E. 

Usambara Amani NR 2010/2011 173,107 12,300 12,000 92,960 21,365 20,000 1,080 2,337 11,065 0 360,000 

E. 

Usambara Nilo NR 2008/09 39 39 82 

E. 

Usambara Nilo NR 2009/10 46 46 2,286 

E. 

Usambara Nilo NR 2010/2011 99 99 1,842 

Uluguru Uluguru NR 2008/09 113 84 29 84 

Uluguru Uluguru NR 2009/10 41 41 156 

Uluguru Uluguru NR 2010/2011 55 55 23 

Nguru 

Nguru 

Nguru 

S.Pare 

Training 

Mkingu 

PNR 

Mkingu 

2008/09 0 355,558 

PNR 

Mkingu 

2009/10 241,226 148,450 5,000 29,386 10,440 18,350 29,600 21,180 

PNR 

Chome 

2010/2011 1,479,290 390,850 522,000 254,100 39,000 56,500 31,350 14,040 117,100 54,350 

PNR 2008/09 131,200 0 0 0 0 0 0 131,200 0 0 0 0 

Inter-sectoral co-operation 

Permanent 

Temporary 

Rent, services 

Extension material 

Maintenance & fuel 

External 

funding 

Total (T.Shs)


S.Pare 

S.Pare 

Udzungwa 

Udzungwa 

Udzungwa 

Udzungwa 

Udzungwa 

Udzungwa 

W. 

Usambara 

W. 

Usambara 

W. 

Usambara 

Udzungwa 

Udzungwa 

Udzungwa 

Chome 

PNR 

Chome 

2009/10 1,882 360 940 20 365 0 0 130 10 48 9 0 42 

PNR 2010/2011 2,428 666 903 237 269 126 0 0 131 10 35 51 0 

Kilombero 

NR 2008/09 70,160 0 0 5,500 0 0 0 49,060 6,000 0 0 9,600 0 56,755 

Kilombero 

NR 2009/10 72,560 0 0 4,000 0 0 0 57,960 6,800 800 0 3,000 0 36,900 

Kilombero 

NR 2010/2011 213,280 31,000 20,000 51,000 5,000 10,000 3,000 66,780 15,000 0 0 11,500 5,000 

Uzungwa 

PNR 2008/09 29,750 0 0 2,100 0 0 0 26,000 800 0 0 850 0 

Uzungwa 

PNR 2009/10 33,030 0 0 800 0 0 0 27,980 750 0 0 3,500 0 

Uzungwa 

PNR 2010/2011 95,490 23,000 10,000 21,100 0 1,500 1,900 28,090 4,000 0 0 5,900 0 

Magamba 

PNR 2008/09 635,335 10,965 281,120 132,149 90,816 2,205 10,655 73,966 0 0 22,058 11,400 0 

Magamba 

PNR 2009/10 539,739 41,965 162,300 57,648 41,751 121,400 10,655 73,966 0 0 13,054 17,000 0 

Magamba 

PNR 2010/2011 295,599 30,965 1,563 30,400 12,266 107,730 10,655 73,966 0 0 13,054 15,000 0 

Udzungwa 

NP 2008/09 783,430 119,000 664,430 

Udzungwa 

NP 2009/10 900,000 100,000 800,000 90,000 

Udzungwa 

NP 2010/2011 0 



5.g Sources of expertise and training in conservation and 

management techniques 

Tanzania has a number of higher education institutions that provide training in conservation and management 

techniques. There are three Universities and a number of technical training colleges: 

Sokoine University of Agriculture. This University is located in Morogoro and provides training at BSc, MSc and PhD 

levels. The faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation has courses on natural and plantation forest management, 

and also on nature conservation and the management of natural resources within parks and reserves. 

University of Dar es Salaam. The University of Dar es Salaam provides teaching across a wide range of disciplines. 

This includes botany and zoology, hydrology and GIS and natural resource management. 

Mweka Wildlife College. This college is located on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro near Moshi. It teaches students all 

aspects of wildlife and park management. 

Olmotonyi forestry training institute. This college is located near Arusha and teaches students all aspects of forestry 

and forest management. 

There are also a number of technical level institutions that undertake research on behalf of the government or other 

clients. 

Within the forestry sector there is the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI). This has its base in Morogoro 

and there is a sub-station in Lushoto in the West Usambara Mountains. It undertakes targeted research on natural 

and plantation forests across Tanzania, including in the Eastern Arc Mountains. The Tanzania National Tree Seed 

Centre (TTSC) is also based in Morogoro and hosts a professional botanist and experts in the cultivation and storage 

of seeds from native and exotic tree species. It also holds seeds from the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

Within the wildlife sector there is the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute. This is located in Arusha and is 

undertakes targeted research in the field of wildlife conservation in Tanzania. It does not work in the Eastern Arc 

region. 

5.h Visitor facilities and statistics 

Visitor facilities. The Eastern Arc Mountains contain a number of hotels that are established for visiting tourists. 

Hotels dedicated to ecotourists are few in number and are found in the West Usambara (2), East Usambara (2), 

Uluguru (2) and Udzungwa (2). The total number of beds available in all these ecotourism locations is under 500 

beds, so the total number of tourists can never be that large. 

Visitor statistics. A detailed study in 2007 worked across the entire Eastern Arc Mountains and gathered information 

on the number of tourists visiting different mountain blocks. A summary of the information gathered by that study is 

presented below: 



Number of people known to have visited Eastern Arc Mountain blocks in 2007 

Mountain Block Protected Area Visitor Numbers (2007) 2009 Updates 

North Pare Various 23 

South Pare Various 100 

West Usambara Various 5,599 

East Usambara Amani Nature Reserve 1,567 

Uluguru Various 2,700 

Udzungwa Udzungwa Mountains 

National Park 

2,587 4,734 

Total 12,576 

Number of people participating in cultural tourism programme meetings across the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

Cultural Tourism Module Visitor numbers in 2007 

North Pare Mountains 91 

South Pare Mountains 136 

West Usambara Mountains 605 

East Usambara Mountains 226 

Uluguru Mountains 175 

Total 1,233 

Origin of the tourists visiting some of the key reserves across the Eastern Arc Mountains in 2007. 

Origin Visitors to Udzungwa 

Mountains National Park (%) 

Visitors to West 

Usambara Mountains (%) 

Europe 82 73 52 

America 11 16 11 

Africa 2 9 26 

Asia 4 2 11 

Oceania 1 0 0 

Total 100 100 100 

Visitors to Amani 

Nature Reserve (%) 

5.i Policies and programmes related to the presentation and 

promotion of the property 

The Eastern Arc World Heritage Site is promoted in a minor way within the Eastern Arc Mountains web site 

(www.easternarc.or.tz). This web site could be adapted to provide a much greater emphasis on the World Heritage 

Site, or could have its own dedicated web pages on the WH site. 

The Amani Nature Reserve is also promoted activity through its web site. In the same way, the Udzungwa 

Mountains National Park is also promoted through its website and through the efforts of TANAPA. These web pages 

could also be adapted to promote the Eastern Arc World Heritage Site. 



5.j Staffing levels (professional, technical, maintenance) 

The number of staff managing the habitats across the Eastern Arc Mountains are outlined in the table below and are 

summarised in the graph. The graph shows that the number of staff in 2004 was under 100, whereas by 2009/10 it is 

predicted to increase to over 200. The hope is to increase to over 350 by 2010/11. 

Figure 9 Increase of staffing from 2004/05 to 2010/11 within the nine core reserves of the proposed Eastern Arc 

Mountains Forests of Tanzania World Heritage Site 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Staff 

2004/05 

Staff 

2008/09 

Staff 

2009/10 

Staff 

2010/11 



Table 9. Staffing of the nine sites within the proposed Eastern Arc Mountains Forests World Heritage Site, between 2008/09 and 2010/11 

Protected Area 

Guidance on staff categories 

Financial Year 

Total 

staff 


Number of Permanent Staff 

Headquarters/Office-based Staff Field-based staff 

Managers/ 

Conservator 

Warden, Director 

Forest 

Officers Technical Administrative Drivers Other 

research, IT, GIS 

Rangers/ 

Beats Guards/ Drivers Other 

Amani Nature Reserve 2008-2009 28 1 1 3 2 0 0 6 0 0 0 15 



Nilo Nature Reserve 2008-2009 11 1 0 5 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 



Mkingu proposed Nature Reserve 2008-2009 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 



Chome proposed Nature Reserve 2008-2009 8 0 0 3 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 



Kilombero Nature Reserve 2008-2009 10 1 5 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 

Kilombero Nature Reserve 2009-2010 18 1 2 9 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 

Kilombero Nature Reserve 2010-2011 98 1 39 14 15 7 22 0 0 0 0 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park 2008-2009 1 1 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park 2009-2010 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park 2010-2011 

Uluguru Nature Reserve 2008-2009 7 1 1 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 

Accoun,Secr,Off Att 

Watchman/security 

Tour guides 

Cook,Rest H.Att 

Temporary staff 

Total no. 

person 

months




Uzungwa Scarp proposed Nature 

Reserve 2008-2009 1 


Reserve 2009-2010 


Reserve 2010-2011 

Magamba proposed Nature Reserve 2008-2009 2 0 2 0 0 

Magamba proposed Nature Reserve 2009-2010 8 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 

Magamba proposed Nature Reserve 2010-2011 33 1 11 3 2 2 14 0 0 0 0 



6. Monitoring 

6.a Key indicators for measuring state of conservation 

The Eastern Arc Mountains have a number of monitoring schemes in place that can provide information on how well 

managed the property is. 

Protected Area coverage 

The national parks, nature reserves, national and local authority forest reserves, and village land forest reserves have 

been mapped in Tanzania. Digital versions of these maps have been compiled and have been made available within 

the World Database on Protected Areas (www.wdpa.org). Maintaining this database is a priority for UNEP-WCMC, 

and the Forestry and Beekeeping Division and TANAPA both provide data to this database. 

Forest Area change 

The Eastern Arc has been assessed in terms of its total forest area in 1955, 1975, 1990, 2000 and this is currently 

being updated to 2008. This remote sensing shows that of the total of 366,000 ha of forest remaining in 2000, 

about 0.9% has been lost (1,910 ha) between years 1990 and 2000 across Eastern Arc Mountains region. This 

is an annual rate of loss of around 0.1% per annum. Preliminary analysis suggests that loss has continued until the 

present day, but that the rates have slowed as reserve boundaries are reached. 

Remote sensing of forest cover provides a useful tool to determine the importance of protected areas in retaining 

forest cover, and also pin point areas of encroachment into the reserves. Summary statics of the forest change in the 

Eastern Arc are below. 

Forest area statistics within the different forest zones of the Eastern Arc Mountains across time (Forestry 

and Beekeeping Division 2005) 

Zone 

Lowland 

Historical 1955 1975 2000 

Rate of change/ year 

1955-75 1975-00 

montane 3,580 624 361 286 -1.78 -0.95 

Submontane 4,861 748 480 440 -1.55 -1.85 

Montane 

Upper 

6,819 1954 1649 1559 -0.73 -0.27 

montane 2,734 1410 1309 1262 -0.35 -0.18 

It is the intention of the Tanzanian Government that new funding, for example from REDD projects in Tanzania, 

would be used to make detailed updates of the forest area in the Eastern Arc Mountains over time. Re-assessments 

on a five year period are proposed within the Eastern Arc Conservation Strategy document. 

Management Effectiveness. The Forestry and Beekeeping Division has undertaken a detailed assessment of the 

status of management of the reserves in the Eastern Arc, using the ‘Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool’ or 

METT. This tool was used in 150 Forest Reserves in the Eastern Arc Mountains in 2004/05 (FBD 2005a). A 

sample of these Forest Reserves (30) was reassessed in 2009 and results are being analysed. An average score of 

34.4% was obtained in 2004/05, which implies that the sites are moderately managed, but with significant area 

for improved management with more funding, more staffing, better management plans, and better 



implementation of the existing management plans. The METT tool has been adopted by the Forestry and 

Beekeeping Division for use as a monitoring method for its network of reserves and is being applied in other sites 

outside the Eastern Arc. A summary of the results from the METT assessment of 2004/05 is presented below: 

Number of forest sites in each management effectiveness score class in the Eastern Arc Mountains of 

Tanzania* 

Forest category METT Scores% 

Poor Average Good Very good 

15-30 31-45 46-60 >60 

Central Government Forest Reserve 18 60 6 

Local Authority Forest Reserve 4 13 1 

Proposed Forest Reserve 13 5 

Private forest 2 1 1 

Village forest reserve 1 1 

TOTAL 35 81 9 1 

Percentage 27.8 64.3 7.1 0.8 

* note that no Nature Reserves or National Parks were assessed in 2004 

METT has also been applied in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park on two separate occasions, with the 

assistance of the WWF Tanzania Programme Office. It has also been applied in the management plans for each of 

the new Nature Reserves. 

Forest Condition assessment 

The condition of the forest habitat has been assessed across 30 Forest Reserves within the Eastern Arc in the period 

2004/05. A repeat of this forest condition assessment was undertaken in 2009, in a smaller sample of the reserves, 

and the results are being analysed. The method entails simply counting the number of cut trees and poles along a 

transect through the forest, and generates an idea of the human disturbance in the forest. 

Levels of disturbance in terms of cut trees or poles across the reserves of the Eastern Arc Mountains (FBD 

2005a) 

Reserve 

TREES 

(above 

20cm 

dbh) 

Total 

Area of 

Transects 

(ha) 

Total no. 

sampled 

trees 

Average 

old cut 

trees 

Average 

new cut 

trees POLES 

(below 

20 cm 


dbh) 

Total 

number 

of 

sampled 

poles 

Average 

of old 

cut 

poles 

Average 

of new 

cut 

poles 

Mramba Trees 3 1197 7 2 Poles 2362 31.7 5.7 

Kiverenge Trees 2.4 659 53 2.1 Poles 893 59 7.1 

Chambogo Trees 5.45 2476 81.7 5.9 Poles 3586 134.7 14.3 

Vumari Trees 2 937 118.5 1.5 Poles 1558 79.5 4.5 

Mkusu Trees 4.75 1813 47.6 4.2 Poles 2282 54.3 14.7 

Mazumbai Trees 1.3 885 0 0 Poles 1042 0 0 

Bombo Trees 3.5 1596 135.4 4.3 Poles 1497 72.9 2 

West 

Ambangulu Trees 0.8 315 7.5 3.8 Poles 633 71.3 2.5 

Nilo Trees 6.1 2579 26.6 2.5 Poles 1787 44.1 4.4


Mtai Trees 3.2 1473 34 0.6 Poles 1927 40 2.5 

Nguru 

North 

Trees 11.9 3720 2.9 0.3 Poles 3484 2 1.1 

Kilindi Trees 5 2397 0.8 1.4 Poles 2764 1.8 0.4 

Idewa Trees 0.85 889 83.5 0 Poles 729 140 0.9 

Ihang'ana Trees 3.05 2285 91.5 10.2 Poles 2447 110.5 14.1 

Kisinga 

Lugala 

Trees 8.7 3741 11.7 0.8 Poles 3299 16.9 0.8 

Kitonga Trees 3.05 830 109.2 4.6 Poles 848 70.2 1 

Mselezi Trees 2.3 724 21.7 5.6 Poles 673 36.1 0 

Nambinga Trees 1.05 462 25.7 0 Poles 518 15.2 0 

Iyondo Trees 9.5 4149 10.8 0.3 Poles 5167 7.5 0.3 

Ihanga Trees 3.5 867 95.4 6.3 Poles 1258 108.9 6.6 

Mangalisa Trees 5.05 1029 17.2 1.2 Poles 796 29.1 0.2 

Mafwomero Trees 3.3 2497 28.2 0 Poles 2312 43.3 2.7 

Ukwiva Trees 9.7 3611 7.3 0.1 Poles 2543 3.1 0 

Mamiwa- 

Kisara 

Trees 3.9 2369 27.4 0 Poles 2302 40.3 0.5 

Kanga Trees 4.25 1182 39.3 1.9 Poles 854 24.9 0.5 

Nguru 

South 

Trees 9.55 1105 18.7 4.4 Poles 1443 24.7 3.1 

Species 

Total 117.15 45,787.00 1,102.60 64.00 49,004.00 1,262.00 89.90 

Mean 

per 

forest 4.51 1,761.04 42.41 2.46 1,884.77 48.54 3.46 

In terms of biodiversity 95 of the vertebrate species are globally threatened with extinction according to the IUCN 

Red List of 2009 (13 Critical, 40 Endangered and 42 Vulnerable). All but a couple of these species are Eastern 

Arc endemic or near-endemic species. Further details on the red list species can be found on www.redlist.org. 

Population trends are only known for monkey populations in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The Sanje 

Mangabey has a population of 2,800-3,500 individuals; the Iringa red colobus has a population of 25,000-35,000 

individuals, and the Kipunji monkey has a population of around 100 animals (with a further 1,100 in southern Mbeya) 

(Rovero et al., 2009). Monitoring and studying the primates in this park is planned to continue indefinitely. 

A summary of the attributes that have been monitored in the Eastern Arc and are hoped to be monitored into the 

future are outlined below. 

Indicator Periodicity Location of Records 

Forest area change 5 years FBD / SUA 

Management effectiveness (METT) 5 years FBD 

Disturbance of habitat 5 years FBD / SUA 

Reserve gazettment records Ongoing FBD / UNEP-WCMC 

River flow rates Ongoing River Basin Authorities 

Rainfall Ongoing Tanzania Meteorological Agency 

Monkeys in Udzungwa NP Ongoing Udzungwa National Park and 

various partners 



6.b Administrative arrangements for monitoring property 

The Forestry and Beekeeping Division and TANAPA plan to continue to collect data on the management 

effectiveness of their networks of reserves, using the METT tool on a periodic basis. They will also continue to collect 

data on the reserve network and changes in its status. This is institutionalised within the national forestry database 

(NAFOBEDA) of the FBD. 

The assessment of changes in forest condition and forest area can only be undertaken when there is a specific 

source of project funding. FBD would then contract the Sokoine University of Agriculture GIS and Remote Sensing 

Laboratory, in Morogoro, Tanzania, to do that work. 

Water flow and water quality in the rivers flowing from the Eastern Arc Mountains is monitored routinely by the River 

Basin Authorities in Tanzania (Pangani, Wami-Ruvu and Rufiji). These agencies are mandated to collect the relevant 

data by the central government and some funding is provided for that purpose. 

Population trends of specific species of animals are being monitored as component parts of long term research 

projects. These will continue for as long as funding can be obtained. 

6.c Results of previous reporting exercises 

The following baseline reports have been produced that contain the information required to monitor changes in 

the Eastern Arc Mountains World Heritage Site. 

FBD 2005a. Hydrological Values. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, 

Dar es Salaam. www.easternarc.or.tz 

FBD 2005b. Education and Awareness. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and 

Tourism, Dar es Salaam. www.easternarc.or.tz 

FBD 2005c. Biodiversity. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar es 

Salaam. www.easternarc.or.tz 

FBD 2005d. Forest Area. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar es 


FBD 2005e. Forest Condition, Threats and Management Effectiveness. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar es Salaam. www.easternarc.or.tz 

FBD 2006b. Monitoring. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar es 


FBD 2006c. Protected Area Network. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and 

Tourism, Dar es Salaam. www.easternarc.or.tz 

FBD 2007b. Fire Reduction. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar 

es Salaam. www.easternarc.or.tz 

FBD 2007d. Carbon. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar es 




7. Documentation 

Additional documentation included is as follows: 

1) Species lists for each forest a) birds, b) mammals, c) amphibians, d) reptiles 

2) Full list of all sites in the core area (including all relevant area and declaration details) 

3) Full list of all sites in the buffer zone (including all relevant area and declaration details). 

7.a Photographs, slides, image inventory and authorization 

table and other audiovisual materials 

Id. No 

Chome 

Proposed 

Nature 

Reserve 

Format 

(slide/ 

print/ 

video) 

Caption Date Photographer Copyright owner 

Contact details of copyright 

owner (Name, address, 

tel/fax, and e-mail) 

SP1 Digital Logging 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

SP2 Digital Pitsawying platform 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

SP3 Digital Forest with fire damage 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

SP4 Digital Forest with fire damage 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

SP5 Digital Callulina sp 2007 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

SP6 Digital Leptopelis parkeri 2007 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

SP7 Digital Leptopelis parkeri 2007 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

SP8 Digital Impatiens sp. 2007 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

SP9 Digital Inside forest 2007 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

SP10 Digital Rhampholeon viridis 2007 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 



Magamba 

proposed 

Nature 

Reserve 

MG1 Digital Bradypodion spinosum 2002 Nike Doggart Nike Doggart ndoggart@tfcg.or.tz Yes 

MG2 Digital Forest interior 2002 Nike Doggart Nike Doggart ndoggart@tfcg.or.tz Yes 

MG3 Digital Forest view 2002 Nike Doggart Nike Doggart ndoggart@tfcg.or.tz Yes 

Nilo and 

Amani Nature 

Reserves 

EU1 Digital Landscape 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU2 Digital Derema corridor 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU3 Digital Towards Nilo 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU4 Digital Amani NR canopy 2007 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU5 Digital Mtai 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU6 Digital Amani fern 2007 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 


Non exclusive 

cession of 

rights


EU7 Digital Amani fern 2007 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU8 Digital Amani NR interior 2007 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU9 Digital Amani NR and cardamon 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU10 Digital Large tree 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU11 Digital Amani rain 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU12 Digital Chameleo deremensis 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU13 Digital Moth 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU13A Digital Kinyonga tenue 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU13B Digital Treefrog 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU13C Digital Leptopelis flavomaculatus 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU14 Digital Tea estate worker 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU15 Digital Tea 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU16 Digital Tea factory 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU17 Digital Old Gerrman train station 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU18 Digital Amani sign 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU19 Digital Amani NR HQ 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU20 Digital Fish pond 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU21 Digital Butterfly farming 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU22 Digital Butterfly farming 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU23 Digital Fire in Mtai 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU24 Digital Farm in forest 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU25 Digital Gold mining in stream 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU25 Digital Gold mining in swamp 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

EU27 Digital Precis octavia 2007 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

Mkingu 

proposed 

Nature 

Reserve 

NG1 Digital Aerial photo of Mkingu 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 




NG5 Digital Forest interior Kanga 2007 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

NG6 Digital Forest interior Kanga 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

NG7 Digital Forest interior Kanga 2007 Andrew Perkin Andrew Perkin bwanakomba@yahoo.com Yes 

NG8 Digital Chameleo deremensis 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

NG9 Digital Chameleo dilepis 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

NG10 Digital Hoplophryne sp. 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

NG11 Digital Callulina sp. 1 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

NG12 Digital Nectophrynoides sp. 1 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

NG13 Digital Forest interior Mkingu 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

NG14 Digital Saintpaulia sp. 2006 Andrew Perkin Andrew Perkin bwanakomba@yahoo.com yes 

NG15 Digital Leptopelis vermiculatus 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com yes 

NG16 Digital Chamaeleo deremensis 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

NG17 Digital 

View of Mkingu Nature 

Reserve 

2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

NG18 Digital Philothamnus punctatus 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

NG19 Digital Callulina sp. 2 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

NG20 Digital Boulengerula uluguruensis 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 



NG21 Digital Xyeledontophis uluguruensis 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

Uluguru 

Nature 

Reserve 

ULU1 Digital Farmland Uluguru South 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 




ULU5 Digital Forest edge/boundary 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 





ULU10 Digital Forest interior 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 




ULU14 Digital Lukwangule Plateau 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 






ULU20 Digital Waterfall 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU21 Digital Waterfall 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU22 Digital Loveridges sunbird 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU23 Digital Blue duiker 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU24 Digital Chameleo fisheri 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU25 Digital Mrs Moreau sunbird 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU26 Digital Leptopelis uluguruensis 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU27 Digital Pitsawn timber 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU28 Digital Market 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU29 Digital Nursery 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU30 Digital Church exterior 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU31 Digital Church interior 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

ULU32 Digital Afrixalus uluguruensis 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

ULU33 Digital Leptopelis uluguruensis 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

Kilombero 

Nature 

Reserve 

Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

KILO1 Digital Galagoides orinus 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

KILO2 Digital Rhynchocyon uzungwensis 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

KILO3 Digital Forest interior 2006 Dr Francesco Rovero Dr Francesco Rovero francesco_rovero@yahoo.it Yes 

KILO4 Digital Forest view 2006 Dr Francesco Rovero Dr Francesco Rovero francesco_rovero@yahoo.it Yes 

Udzungwa 

National Park 

UMN1 Digital Iringa red colobus 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UMN2 Digital 

UMN3 Digital 

View of Udzungwa Mountains 

National Park 


National Park 





UMN4 Digital 

UMN5 Digital 

UMN6 Digital 

UMN7 Digital 

UMN8 Digital 


National Park 


National Park 

Eastern double-collared 

sunbird 

Elephant in Udzungwa 

Mountains National Park 

Forest interior Udzungwa 

Mountains National Park 






UMN9 Digital Sanje mangabey 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UMN10 Digital Urocotyledon rasmusseni 2006 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon Yes 

Uzungwa 

Scarp 

proposed 

Nature 

Reserve 

UDZ1 Digital Forest with clouds 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

UDZ2 Digital Forest with clouds 2005 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

UDZ3 Digital Kihansi gorge waterfalls 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

UDZ4 Digital Kihansi gorge waterfalls 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

UDZ5 Digital Small waterfall 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

UDZ6 Digital Forest interior 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

UDZ7 Digital Impatiens and Amaryllis 2006 Dr Neil Burgess Dr Neil Burgess Neil.burgess@wwfus.org Yes 

UDZ8 Digital Afrixalus sp. 2008 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UDZ9 Digital Chamaeleo laterispinis 2008 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UDZ10 Digital Chamaeleo tempeli 2008 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UDZ11 Digital Forest view 2008 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UDZ12 Digital Epomophorus wahlbergi 2008 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UDZ13 Digital Kinyongia oxyrhina 2008 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UDZ14 Digital Leptopelis barbouri 2008 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UDZ15 Digital Lycophidion uzungwensis 2008 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

UDZ16 Digital Chamaeleo laterispinis 2008 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

Video 

DVD The Arc Digital The Arc (x3) 2005 Michele Menegon Michele Menegon mmenegon@gmail.com Yes 

DVD Lulanda Digital 

DVD Cry of 

the Forest 

DVD Villages Digital 

Lulanda: a village and its 

forest (x2) 

2002 Nike Doggart TFCG tfcg@tfcg.or.tz Yes 

Digital Cry of the Forest (x3) 2009 Lars Johansson TFCG tfcg@tfcg.or.tz Yes 

Villages on the Frontline - 

Tanzania (x3) 

2008 Robert Lamb TFCG tfcg@tfcg.or.tz Yes 

7.b Texts relating to protective designation, copies of 

property management plans or documented management 

systems and extracts of other plans relevant to the property 

Copy of the Forest Act no 14 of 2001 

Copy of the Wildlife Act of 2009 

Copy of the text of the National Forest Policy of 1998 

Copy of the National Forest Programme of 2002 



Copy of Property Management Plan for the Eastern Arc “Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Strategy document” – 

Forestry and Beekeeping Division 2009 

Gazettment notices for Amani, Nilo, Uluguru and Kilombero Nature Reserves 

Gazettment notices for Udzungwa Mountains National Park 

7.c Form and date of most recent records or inventory of 

property 

Site Biodiversity inventory Forest Forest Management 

areas condition effectiveness 

Chome proposed NR No recent inventory of 

animals. For plants see 1 

2 3 3 

Magamba proposed NR No recent inventory of 

animals or plants 

2 3 3 

Amani Nature Reserve 4 2 3 3 

Nilo Nature Reserve 5 2 3 3 

Uluguru Nature Reserve 6 2 3 3 

Mkingu proposed Nature reserve 7,8 2 3 3 

Kilombero Nature Reserve 9 2 3 3 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park No complete inventory 2 10 11 

available, but see 11 

Uzungwa Scarp proposed Nature No complete inventory 2 3 3 

Reserve 

available, but see 12 

1 = UNDP-GEF Cross Borders Project Botanical Survey Reports from TAFORI (see www.easternarc.or.tz/South 

Pare) 

2 = FBD 2005. Forest Area in the Eastern Arc Mountains. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural 

Resources and Tourism, Dar es Salaam. www.easternarc.or.tz 

3 = FBD 2005a. Forest Condition, Threats and Management Effectiveness across the Eastern Arc Mountains. 

Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar es Salaam. 

www.easternarc.or.tz 

4 = Frontier-Tanzania 2001. Amani Nature Reserve Biodiversity Survey Report. East Usambara Catchment 

Forest Programme; Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping Division. See 


5 = Frontier-Tanzania 2002. Nilo Biodiversity Survey Report. East Usambara Catchment Forest Programme; 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping Division. See 


6 = Frontier-Tanzania 2005. Uluguru component biodiversity survey: Uluguru South and Uluguru North Forest 

Reserves. Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping Division. See 


7 = Frontier-Tanzania 2007. Nguru South and Kanga Forest Reserves Biodiversity Survey. Frontier Tanzania; 

Society for Environmental Exploration and University of Dar es Salaam. See www.easternarc.or.tz 

8 = Tanzania Forest Conservation Group 2007. Nguru South Forest Reserve Biodiversity Survey. Tanzanian 

Forest Conservation Group, Dar es Salaam. See www.easternarc.or.tz 

9 = Frontier Tanzania 2001. West Kilombero Scarp Forest Reserve Biodiversity Survey Report. Ministry of 

Natural Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping Division. See www.easternarc.or.tz 

10 = Udzungwa Mountains National Park 2006. Report on Fuel Wood collection and use in the Park. Tanzania 

National Parks, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. 



11 = TANAPA 2001. Management Plan for Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Tanzania National Parks, 


12 = Rovero, F., Marshall, A., Jones, T. And Perkins, A. (2009). Primates of Udzungwa Mountains: diversity, 

ecology and conservation. Journal of Anthropological Science 87: 93-126. 

7.d Address where inventory, records and archives are held 

Biodiversity inventory reports. C/o Professor Kim Howell, Department of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of 

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data in form of reports and UDSM biodiversity database. Reports also available on 

www.easternar.or.tz 

Forest Area data. C/o Professor Boniface Mbilinyi, Remote Sensing and GIS Laboratory, Sokoine University of 

Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. Report and GIS data also available on www.easternarc.or.tz 

Forest condition data. C/o Professors Seif Madoffe and Panteleo Munishi, Department of Forestry and Nature 

Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro. Report and summary data also available on 


Management effectiveness data. C/o Professors Seif Madoffe and Panteleo Munishi, Department of Forestry and 

Nature Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro. Report and summary data also available on 


Summary data also available within the database of the Forestry and Beekeeping Division (NAFOBEDA) located at 

the headquarters in Dar es Salaam. 

7.e Bibliography 

BirdLife International 2009. Important Bird Area factsheet: Taita Hills Forests, Kenya. Downloaded from the Data 

Zone at http://www.birdlife.org on 8/1/2010 

Brooks, T., Balmford, A., Burgess, N., Fjeldså, J., Hansen, L.A., Moore, J., Rahbek, C., Williams, P., 2001. 

Towards a blueprint for conservation in Africa. BioScience 51, 613-624. 

Brooks, T. M., Mittermeier, R. A., Mittermeier, C. G., Da Fonseca, G. A. B., Rylands, A. B., Konstant, W. R., 

Flick, P., Pilgrim, J., Oldfield, S., Magin, G., Hilton-Taylor, C., 2002. Habitat loss and extinction in the 

hotspots of biodiversity. Conservation Biology 16, 909-923. 

Burgess, N.D., Nummelin, M., Fjeldså, J., Howell, K.M., Lukumbyzya, K., Mhando, L., Phillipson, P. and Vanden 

Berghe, E. (eds.) 1998. Biodiversity and Conservation of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya. 

Special Issue of the Journal of the East African Natural History Society 87: 1-367 pp. 

Burgess, N.D., Lovett, J., Rodgers, A., Kilahama, F., Nashanda, E., Davenport, T., Butynski, T., 2004a. Eastern 

Arc Mountains and Southern Rift. In: Mittermeier, R.A., Robles-Gil, P., Hoffmann, M., Pilgrim, J.D., Brooks, 

T.M., Mittermeier, C.G., Lamoreux, J.L., Fonseca, G.A.B. (eds.). Hotspots Revisited: Earth’s Biologically 

Richest and Most Endangered Ecoregions. Second Edition. Cemex, Mexico. pp. 245-255. 

Burgess, N., D'Amico Hales, J., Underwood, E., Dinerstein, E., Olson, D., Itoua, I., Schipper, J., Ricketts, T., 

Newman, K., 2004b. Terrestrial ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: a continental assessment. Island 

Press, Washington DC. Pp.550. 

Burgess, N.D., Butynski, T.M., Cordeiro, N.J., Doggart, N., Fjeldså, J., Howell, K., Kilahama, F., Loader, S.P., 

Lovett, J.C., Mbilinyi, B., Menegon, M., Moyer, D., Nashanda, E., Perkin, A., Stanley, W., Stuart, S. 2007. 

The biological importance of the Eastern Arc mountains of Tanzania and Kenya. Biological Conservation 

134: 209 –231. 



Davenport, Tim R. B.; William T. Stanley, Eric J. Sargis, Daniela W. De Luca, Noah E. Mpunga, Sophy J. 

Machaga, and Link E. Olson 2006. "A New Genus of African Monkey, Rungwecebus: Morphology, Ecology, 

and Molecular Phylogenetics". Science 312: 1378. 

Dinesen, L., T. Lehmberg, J. O. Svendsen, L. A. Hansen, and J. Fjeldså. 1994. “A new genus and species of 

perdicine bird (Phasianidae, Perdicini) from Tanzania: a relict form with Indo-Malayan affinities”. Ibis 136: 3– 

11. 

FBD 2005d. Forest Area. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar es 


FBD 2005e. Forest Condition, Threats and Management Effectiveness. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar es Salaam. www.easternarc.or.tz 

Frontier Tanzania 2001. West Kilombero Scarp Forest Reserve Management and Summary report – Frontier 

Tanzania. 

Frontier-Tanzania 2002. Nilo Biodiversity survey. East Usambara Catchment Forest Programme; Ministry of 

Natural Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping Division. 

Frontier-Tanzania 2005. Uluguru component biodiversity survey: Uluguru south forest reserve. Ministry of 

Natural Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping Division. 

Hall, J., Burgess, N.D., Lovett, J., Mbilinyi, B., Gereau, R.E. 2009. Conservation implications of deforestation 

across an elevational gradient in the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania. Biological Conservation 142: 2510- 

2521. 

ICBP, 1992. Putting biodiversity on the map: priority areas for global conservation. ICBP, Cambridge 

Jones, Trevor; Carolyn L. Ehardt, Thomas M. Butynski, Tim R. B. Davenport, Noah E. Mpunga, Sophy J. 

Machaga, Daniela W. De Luca 2005. "The Highland Mangabey Lopocebus kipunji: A New Species of African 

Monkey". Science 308 (5725): 1161–1164; 

Kiboga, J and Machange, F. 2005. Strategic management plan for Shume forest plantation. Ministry of Natural 

Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Dar es Salaam. 

Lovett, J.C., 1985. Moist forests of Tanzania. Swara 8: 8-9. 

Lovett, J.C. 1990. Classification and status of the moist forests of Tanzania. Mitteilungen aus dem Institut für 

Allgemeine Botanik Hamburg 23a: 287–300 

Lovett, J.C. 1993. Eastern Arc moist forest flora. Pp. 33-55. In: J.C. Lovett & S.K. Wasser (editors) Biogeography 

and Ecology of the Rainforests of Eastern Africa. Cambridge University Press. 

Lovett, J.C. 1998. Eastern tropical African centre of endemism: a candidate for World Heritage Status? Journal of 

the East African Natural History Society 87: 359-366. 

Lovett, J.C. & T. Pócs. 1993. Assessment of the condition of the Catchment Forest Reserves, a botanical 

appraisal. Pp. 300. Catchment Forestry Report 93.3 

Lovett, J.C., Clarke, G.P. Moore, R., Morrey, G. 2001. Elevational distribution of restricted range forest tree taxa 

in eastern Tanzania. Biodiversity and Conservation 10: 541-550; 

Magin, C. and Chape, S. 2004. Review of the World Heritage Network: Biogeography, Habitats and Biodiversity. 

UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, the World Conservation Union. 

Menegon, M., Doggart, N. & Nisha, O. 2008. The Nguru Mountains of Tanzania, an outstanding hotspot of 

herpetofaunal diversity. Acta Herpetol 3: 107–127. 

Mittermeier, R.A., Myers, N., Thompsen, J.B., da Fonseca, G.A.B., Olivieri, S., 1998. Biodiversity hotspots and 

major tropical wilderness areas: approaches to setting conservation priorities. Conservation Biology 12, 

516–520. 

Mittermeier, R.A., Robles-Gil, P., Hoffmann, M., Pilgrim, J.D., Brooks, T.M., Mittermeier, C.G., Lamoreux, J.L. & 

Fonseca, G. (eds) 2004. Hotspots Revisited: Earth’s Biologically Richest and Most Endangered 

Ecoregions. Cemex, Mexico 

MNRT 2009. Management Plan for Uluguru Nature Reserve: Five Years Plan: 2009/10-2013/14. Ministry of 

Natural Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping Division. 151 pp. 

MNRT 2009a Management Plan for Kilombero Nature Reserve. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Ministry of 

Natural Resources and Tourism. 138 pp. 

MNRT 2009b. Management Plan for Magamba Nature Reserve. 5 Years Plan: 2009/10 – 2013/14. Forestry & 

Beekeeping Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar Es Salaam. 131 pp. 

Myers, N. 1990. The biodiversity challenge: expanded hotspots analysis. Environmentalist 10, 243-256. 



Olson, D.M., Dinerstein, E., 1998. The Global 200: a representation approach to conserving the earth’s most 

biologically valuable ecoregions. Conservation Biology 12, 502–515. 

Rosenzweig, M.L. 2002. Species diversity in space and time. 436 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 

Page 17. 

Rovero F., Rathbun G.B., Perkins A., Jones T., Ribble D.O., Leonard C., Mwakisoma R.R. 2008. "A new species 

of giant sengi or elephant-shrew (genus Rhynchocyon) highlights the exceptional biodiversity of the 

Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania". Journal of Zoology 274: 126–133 

Rovero, F., Marshall, A., Jones, T. And Perkins, A. 2009. Primates of Udzungwa Mountains: diversity, ecology 

and conservation. Jourrnal of Anthrpological Science 87: 93-126. 

Stattersfield, A.J., Crosby, M.J., Long, A. J., Wege, D.C., 1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the World. Priorities for 

biodiversity conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. 

St. John, F. 2008. A corridor linking protected forests; meeting conservation and livelihood expectations. The 

Mngeta corridor: linking the Kilombero Nature Reserve and the Uzungwa Scarp Catchment Forest Reserve, 

Morogoro Region, Tanzania. MSc dissertation, Bangor University. 

Tanzania National Parks 2001. Udzungwa Mountains National Park: General management Plan/Environmental 

Impact Assessment. Department of Panning and Development Projects, Tanzania National Parks. 80 pp. 

UNEP/WCMC 2007. World Database of Protected Areas ‘Rainforests of the Atsinanana, Madagascar’ WDPA 

26653. 

Uluguru Landscape Management Framework 2009. Conservation and Management of the Eastern Arc Mountain 

Forest Project 

White, F. 1983. The vegetation of Africa, a descriptive memoir to accompany the UNESCO/AETFAT/UNSO 

Vegetation Map of Africa (3 Plates, Northwestern Africa, Northeastern Africa, and Southern Africa, 

1:5,000,000). United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris, France. 

Whitmore, T.C. 1999. An Introduction to Tropical Rain Forests. Second edition. 282 pp. Oxford: Oxford University 

Press. Page 174; WCMC, 1992. Global Biodiversity: Status of Earth Living Resources. World Conservation 

Monitoring Center, Cambridge, page 66 – Latin America from Mexico through South America is estimated to 

have twice as many plant species as Africa. 



8. Contact information and responsible 

authorities 

8.a Preparer 

Director of Forestry and Beekeeping Division 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping Division 

Mpingo House, Pugu Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. P.O. Box No 426, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 

Tel: +255 (0)22 2864249 

Fax: +255 (0)22 2864255 

Web site: www.mnrt.go.tz 

8.b Official Local Institution/Agency 

Permanent Secretary 


Forestry and Beekeeping Division and Tanzania National Parks, Tanzania 

Mpingo House, Pugu Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. P.O. Box No 426 

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 

Tel: +255 (0)22 2864249 

Fax: +255 (0)22 2864255 

Web site: www.mnrt.go.tz 

The Director General 

Tanzania National Parks 

P.O. Box 3134 

Arusha 

Tanzania 

8.c Other Local Institutions 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Mangula 

Nature Reserve Unit, Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Centre - Morogoro 

Amani Nature Reserve, Amani - East Usambara 

Uluguru Nature Reserve management authority – Morogoro (Ulugurus) 

Nilo Nature Reserve management unit – Amani (East Usambaras) 

Kilombero Nature Reserve management unit – Iringa (Udzungwas) 

Iringa Regional Catchment office - Iringa 

Morogoro Regional Catchment office - Morogoro 

Tanga Regional Catchment office - Tanga 

Kilimanjaro Regional Catchment office - Moshi 

Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund, Eastern Arc Mountains Centre, Morogoro 

8.d Official Web address 

http://www.mnrt.go.tz 

http://www.easternarc.or.tz 

http://www.tanzaniaparks.com 

http://www.udzungwa.org 



9. Signature on behalf of the State Party 

…………………………………………………….. 

Donatius Kamamba 

Director of Division of Antiquities 


Date……………………………………………… 



ANNEX 1. EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS: ENDEMIC 

PLANTS (KENYA AND TANZANIA) 

Family Genus species infraspecies Author(s) Single Bloc Single Site 

Acanthaceae Dicliptera grandiflora Gilli Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Acanthaceae Isoglossa imbricata Brummitt Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Acanthaceae Justicia beloperonoides Lindau Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Acanthaceae Justicia diclipteroides subsp. usambarica Hedrén W Usambara Chambogo (B) FR 

Acanthaceae Justicia oblongifolia (Lindau) M.E. Steiner E Usambara Amani NR 

Acanthaceae Justicia palustris (Hochst.) T. Anderson E Usambara Nilo NR 

Ancistrocladaceae Ancistrocladus tanzaniensis Cheek & Frim. Udzungwa Uzungwa Scarp NR 

Annonaceae Toussaintia patriciae Q. Luke & Deroin Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Aquifoliaceae Ilex mitis var. schliebenii Loes. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Asteraceae Blepharispermum canescens T. Erikss. Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Asteraceae Bothriocline shagayuensis C. Jeffrey W Usambara Shagayu FR 

Asteraceae Ethulia greenwayi M.G. Gilbert W Usambara Mkusu FR 

Asteraceae Senecio dentatoalatus Mildbr. ex C. Jeffrey Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Asteraceae Senecio subfractiflexus C. Jeffrey Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Asteraceae Sphaeranthus cristatus O. Hoffm. W Usambara Baga II FR 

Asteraceae Vernonia luhomeroensis Q. Luke & Beentje Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Asteraceae Vernonia tricholoba C. Jeffrey Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens barbulata G.M. Schulze Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens eryaleia subsp. gigantea Grey-Wilson Udzungwa Lulanda FR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens humifusa G.M. Schulze Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens messumbaensis G.M. Schulze Nguru Mkingu NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens messumbaensis subsp. fimbrisepala Grey-Wilson Nguru Mkingu NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens messumbaensis subsp. messumbaensis Nguru Mkingu NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens palliderosea var. palliderosea Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens pseudohamata Grey-Wilson Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens saliensis G.M. Schulze Mahenge Sali FR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens serpens Grey-Wilson Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens simbiniensis Grey-Wilson Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens thamnoidea G.M. Schulze Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens tricaudata G.M. Schulze Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens ukagurensis Grey-Wilson Ukaguru Mamiwa Kisara FR 

Balsaminaceae Impatiens uzungwaensis Grey-Wilson & Frim Udzungwa Uzungwa Scarp NR 

Begoniaceae Begonia schliebenii Irmsch. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Begoniaceae Begonia zimmermannii Peter ex Irmsch. E Usambara Amani NR 

Burmanniaceae Afrothismia insignis Cowley Udzungwa Kigogo FR 

Burmanniaceae Afrothismia mhoroana Cheek Uluguru Mkungwe FR 

Campanulaceae Lobelia graniticola E. Wimm. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Campanulaceae Lobelia lukwangulensis Engl. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Campanulaceae Lobelia ritabeaniana E.B. Knox Nguru Mkingu NR 

Campanulaceae Lobelia sancta Thulin Ukaguru North Mamiwa Kisara FR 

Campanulaceae Lobelia udzungwensis Thulin Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Celastraceae Maytenus nguruensis N. Robson & Sebsebe Nguru Mkingu NR 

Celastraceae Salacia lovettii N. Hallé & B.Mathew Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Cycadaceae Encephalartos sclavoi De Luca & D.W. Stev. & A. Moretti W Usambara Shume-Magamba FR 

Cyperaceae Cyperus graciliculmis Lye Ukaguru North Mamiwa Kisara FR 

Ebenaceae Diospyros uzungwaensis Frim. & Ndang. Udzungwa Uzungwa Scarp NR 

Euphorbiaceae Drypetes usambarica var. rugulosa Radcl.-Sm. Udzungwa Lulanda FR 




Euphorbiaceae Erythrococca sanjensis Radcl.-Sm. Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia classenii P.R.O. Bally & S. Carter 

(Radcl.-Sm.) Brunel ex Radcl.- 

Taita Kasigau FR 

Euphorbiaceae Meineckia nguruensis 

Sm. Nguru Mkingu NR 

Euphorbiaceae Meineckia uzungwaensis (Radcl.-Sm.) Radcl.-Sm. Udzungwa Lulanda FR 

Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus rhizomatosus Radcl.-Sm. Nguru Nguru South FR 

Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus thulinii Radcl.-Sm. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Fabaceae Cynometra longipedicellata Harms E Usambara Amani NR 

Fabaceae Cynometra ulugurensis Harms Uluguru Kimboza FR 

Fabaceae Englerodendron usambarense Harms E Usambara Amani NR 

Fabaceae Zenkerella perplexa Temu Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia goetzeana Engl. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia inconspicua B.L. Burtt Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia ionantha subsp. mafiensis I. Darbysh. & Pócs W Usambara Mafi Hill FR 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia ionantha subsp. occidentalis (B.L. Burtt) I. Darbysh. W Usambara Shagayu FR 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia ulugurensis Haston Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia watkinsii Haston Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus albus subsp. edwardsii (Weigend) I. Darbysh. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus bullatus Mansf. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus euanthus Mansf. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus heckmannianus (Engl.) I. Darbysh. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus heckmannianus subsp. gracilis (E.A. Bruce) I. Darbysh. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus heckmannianus subsp. heckmannianus Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus parensis B.L. Burtt S Pare Chome NR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus subscandens (B.L. Burtt) I. Darbysh. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus thysanotus Hilliard & B.L. Burtt Uluguru Mkungwe FR 

Gesneriaceae Streptocarpus kimbozanus B.L. Burtt Uluguru Kimboza FR 

Lamiaceae Plectranthus dichotomus A.J. Paton Ukaguru North Mamiwa Kisara FR 

Lamiaceae Plectranthus strangulatus A.J. Paton Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Malpighiaceae Acridocarpus congestus Launert Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Melastomataceae Dionychastrum schliebenii A. & R. Fern. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Melastomataceae Gravesia hylophila (Gilg) A. & R. Fern. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Melastomataceae Warneckea erubescens (Gilg) Jacq.-Fél. E Usambara Amani NR 

Melastomataceae Warneckea microphylla (Gilg) Borhidi E Usambara Amani NR 

Meliaceae Turraea mombassana subsp. schliebenii (Harms) Styles & F. White Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Moraceae Dorstenia bicaudata Peter E Usambara Amani NR 

Moraceae Dorstenia ulugurensis Engl. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Oleaceae Jasminum angustitubum Knobl. Mahenge Mahenge Scarp FR 

Oleaceae Jasminum rotundatum Knobl. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Ancistrorhynchus parviflorus Summerh. E Usambara Amani NR 

Orchidaceae Angraecopsis lovettii P.J. Cribb Udzungwa Image FR 

Orchidaceae Bulbophyllum gilgianum Kraenzl. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Cynorkis usambarae Rolfe E Usambara Mtai FR 

Orchidaceae Diaphananthe orientalis (Mansf.) F.N. Rasm. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Disperis egregia Summerh. E Usambara Amani NR 

Orchidaceae Disperis elaphoceras Verdc. Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Orchidaceae Mystacidium nguruense P.J. Cribb Nguru Mkingu NR 

Orchidaceae Polystachya canaliculata Summerh. Nguru Mkingu NR 

Orchidaceae Polystachya longiscapa Summerh. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Polystachya lukwangulensis P.J. Cribb Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Polystachya melliodora P.J. Cribb Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Orchidaceae Polystachya porphyrochila J.L. Stewart Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Polystachya rugosilabia Summerh. Nguru Mkingu NR 

Orchidaceae Stolzia angustifolia Mansf. Uluguru Uluguru NR 




Orchidaceae Stolzia atrorubra Mansf. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Stolzia moniliformis P.J. Cribb Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Stolzia oligantha Mansf. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Stolzia viridis P.J. Cribb Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Tridactyle flabellata P.J. Cribb Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Orchidaceae Tridactyle minuta P.J. Cribb Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Orchidaceae Tridactyle phaeocephala Summerh. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Orchidaceae Tridactyle sarcodantha Mansf. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Piperaceae Peperomia molleri subsp. ukagurensis Verdc. Ukaguru Mamiwa Kisara FR 

Pittosporaceae Pittosporum goetzei Engl. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Poaceae Hickelia africana S. Dransf. Udzungwa Mufindi Scarp East FR 

Pteridophyta Blotiella coriacea Verdc. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Pteridophyta Diplazium ulugurense Verdc. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Pteridophyta Lellingeria rupestris Parris Nguru Mkingu NR 

Pteridophyta Pteris mkomaziensis Verdc. S Pare Mkomazi GR 

Rubiaceae Chassalia bonifacei Thulin & S. Manktelow Nguru Mkingu NR 

Rubiaceae Chassalia christineae Thulin & S. Manktelow Nguru Mkingu NR 

Rubiaceae Chassalia lukwangulensis Thulin Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Chassalia violacea K. Schum. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Chassalia violacea var. parviflora Verdc. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Chassalia violacea var. violacea Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Coffea kihansiensis A.P. Davis & Mvungi Udzungwa Uzungwa Scarp NR 

Rubiaceae Coffea lulandoensis Bridson Udzungwa Lulanda FR 

Rubiaceae Lasianthus macrocalyx K. Schum Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Lasianthus wallacei E.A. Bruce Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Oxyanthus lepidus subsp. kigogoensis Bridson Udzungwa Kigogo FR 

Rubiaceae Pavetta abyssinica subsp. viridiflora Bridson Nguru Mkingu NR 

Rubiaceae Pavetta bruceana Bremek. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Pavetta constipulata Bremek. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Pavetta constipulata var. constipulata Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Pavetta constipulata var. uranoscopa Bremek. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Pavetta delicatifolia Bridson Udzungwa Kitemele FR 

Rubiaceae Pavetta filistipulata Bremek. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Pavetta lulandoensis Bridson Udzungwa Lulanda FR 

Rubiaceae Pavetta roseostellata Bridson Udzungwa Kilombero NR 

Rubiaceae Pentas hindsioides var. parensis Verdc. S Pare Chome NR 

Rubiaceae Psychotria cephalidantha K. Schum. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Psychotria hemsleyi Verdc. W Usambara Shagayu FR 

Rubiaceae Psychotria pocsii subsp. pocsii E Usambara Amani NR 

Rubiaceae Psychotria pocsii subsp. ferruginea Borhidi & Verdc. Nguru Mkingu NR 

Rubiaceae Psychotria scheffleri K. Schum. & K. Krause E Usambara Amani NR 

Rubiaceae Psychotria taitensis Verdc. Taita Kasigau FR 

Rubiaceae Pyrostria uzungwaensis Bridson Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Rubiaceae Rhipidantha chlorantha (K. Schum.) Bremek. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia dichasialis Lantz & Gereau E Usambara Amani NR 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia griseovelutina Verdc. Mahenge Sali FR 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia lichenoxenos subsp. lichenoxenos Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia longituba Verdc. Nguru Mkingu NR 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia nodulosa (K. Schum.) Robyns Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia saliensis Verdc. Mahenge Muhulu FR 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia xanthotricha (K. Schum.) Verdc. E Usambara Amani NR 

Rubiaceae Tarenna quadrangularis Bremek. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Rubiaceae Tarenna uzungwaensis Bridson Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 




Rubiaceae Vangueriopsis longiflora Verdc. Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Rutaceae Vepris ngamensis I. Verd. E Usambara Amani NR 

Sapindaceae Allophylus delicatulus Verdc. Mahenge Sali FR 

Sapindaceae Chytranthus longibracteatus F.G. Davies Nguru Mkingu NR 

Sapindaceae Placodiscus pedicellatus F.G. Davies Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Sapotaceae Neohemsleya usambarensis T.D. Penn. W Usambara Shagayu FR 

Sterculiaceae Cola usambarensis Engl. E Usambara Amani NR 

Theaceae Balthasaria schliebenii var. schliebenii Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Thymelaeaceae Peddiea lanceolata Domke Mahenge Sali FR 

Triuridaceae Kihansia lovettii Cheek Udzungwa Uzungwa Scarp NR 

Triuridaceae Kupea jonii Cheek Udzungwa Uzungwa Scarp NR 

Triuridaceae Seychellaria africana Vollesen Udzungwa Udzungwa Mts. NP 

Turneraceae Stapfiella ulugurica Mildbr. Uluguru Uluguru NR 

Viscaceae Viscum luisengense Polhill & Wiens Udzungwa Mufindi Scarp East FR 

Vitaceae Cyphostemma masukuense subsp. nguruense Verdc. Nguru Mkingu NR 

Vitaceae Cyphostemma muhuluense (Mildbr.) Desc. Mahenge Muhulu FR 

Vitaceae Cyphostemma njegerre (Gilg & H.C. Strauss) Desc. E Usambara Amani NR 



ANNEX 2. EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS: ENDEMIC 

AND NEAR-ENDEMIC VERTEBRATES 

Taxa Species 

Endemism 

Threat (Red List 2009) 

Taita 

N. Pare 

S. Pare 

Mammals Bdeogale jacksoni NE NT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Beamys hindei NE LC 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 

Cephalophus harveyi NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 

Cephalophus spadix NE EN 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 5 

Cercocebus sanjei E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Congosorex phillipsorum E CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Crocidura desperata NE EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Crocidura monax NE LC 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 5 

Crocidura tansaniana E EN 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Crocidura telfordi E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 

Crocidura usambarae E EN 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Dendrohyrax validus NE LC 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 10 

Galagoides orinus NE NT 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 7 

Galagoides zanzibaricus 

E LC 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 

udzungwensis 

Galagoides zanzibaricus zanzibaricus NE LC 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 

Hylomyscus arcimontensis E NE 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 11 

Lophocebus kipunji NE CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Loxodonta africana No NT 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 6 

Lycaon pictus No EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Myonycteris relicta NE VU 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 4 

Myosorex geata E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Myosorex kihaulei E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 

Otomops martiensseni No NT 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Otomys uzungwensis NE NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Panthera leo No VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 3 

Paraxerus lucifer NE VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 

Paraxerus vexillarius NE NT 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 

Praomys delectorum No NT 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 

Piliocolobus gordonorum E EN 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 

Rhinolophus deckenii NE NT 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 4 

Rhinolophus maendeleo NE DD 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Rhynchocyon cirnei No NT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 3 

Rhynchocyon petersi NE VU 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 9 

Rhynchocyon udzungwensis E VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Sylvisorex howelli E EN 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 7 

Reptiles Adenorhinos barbouri NE DD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Agama montana E NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 

Amblyodipsas teitana E NE 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Aparallactus werneri NE VU 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 

Atheris ceratophora E NE 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 5 

Buhoma procterae E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 3 

Buhoma vauerocegae E NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 

Chamaeleo deremensis E VU 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 

Chamaeleo goetzei NE NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Chamaeleo laterispinis E VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Chamaeleo tempeli NE NE 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 

Chamaeleo werneri E VU 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 6 

Cnemaspis barbouri NE NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 


W. Usambara 

E. Usambara 

Nguu 

Nguru 

Ukaguru 

Uluguru 

Rubeho 

Malundwe 

Udzungwa 

Mahenge 

Number of blocks


Taxa Species 

Endemism 


Taita 

N. Pare 

Cnemaspis uzungwae NE VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 

Crotaphopeltis tornieri NE NE 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 8 

Dipsadoboa werneri E VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 

Elapsoidea nigra E NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 

Gastropholis prasina NE NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Kinyongia fischeri E NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Kinyongia magomberae E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Kinyongia oxyrhina E VU 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 5 

Kinyongia tenue NE NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 

Leptosiaphos rhomboidalis E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Lycophidion uzungwense E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Lygodactylus conradti NE NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Lygodactylus gravis NE NE 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Lygodactylus uluguruensis NE EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Lygodactylus williamsi E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Melanoseps uzungwensis E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Philothamnus macrops NE NE 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 5 

Prosymna ornatissima E CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Prosymna semifasciata NE EN 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Rhampholeon acuminatus E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Rhampholeon beraduccii E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 

Rhampholeon spinosus E VU 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Rhampholeon moyeri E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 3 

Rhampholeon temporalis NE VU 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Rhampholeon uluguruensis E VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 4 

Rhampholeon viridis E NE 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

Rhinotyphlops nigrocandidus E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 

Rieppeleon brevicaudatus NE NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 6 

Scelotes uluguruensis E NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 

Tetradactylus udzungwensis E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Thelotornis usambaricus NE NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 

Typhlops gierrai E NE 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

Typhlops uluguruensis E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Typhlops usambaricus E NE 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Urocotyledon rasmusseni E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Urocotyledon wolterstorffi NE NE 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 

Xyelodontophis uluguruensis E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 3 

Birds Andropadus chlorigula NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 4 

Andropadus masukuensis NE LC 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 10 

Andropadus milanjensis NE LC 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 7 

Andropadus neumanii E LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Anthreptes pallidigaster NE EN 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 

Anthreptes rubritorques E VU 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 6 

Apalis chapini NE LC 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 7 

Apalis chariessa NE VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 

Apalis fuscigularis E CR 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Arcanator orostruthus NE VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Artisornis metopias NE LC 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 9 

Artisornis moreaui NE CR 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Batis crypta NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 

Batis mixta NE LC 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 8 

Bubo vosseleri E VU 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 7 

Cinnyricinclus femoralis NE VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Cisticola nigriloris NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 

Cisticola njombe NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 

S. Pare 


W. Usambara 

E. Usambara 

Nguu 

Nguru 

Ukaguru 

Uluguru 

Rubeho 

Malundwe 

Udzungwa 

Mahenge 



Taxa Species 

Endemism 


Taita 

N. Pare 

Hyliota usambarae E EN 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Laniarius fuelleborni NE LC 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 7 

Laniarius marwitzi NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 

Malaconotus alius E CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Modulatrix stictigula NE LC 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 8 

Nectarinia fuelleborni E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Nectarinia loveridgei E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Nectarinia moreaui E NT 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 7 

Nectarinia rufipennis E VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Nectarinia usambarica E NE 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Oriolus chlorocephalus NE LC 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 7 

Ploceus nicolli E EN 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 5 

Poeoptera kenricki NE LC 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 9 

Scepomycter winifredae E VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 4 

Serinus melanochrous NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 

Serinus whytii NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 

Sheppardia aurantiithorax E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 

Sheppardia gunningi NE NT 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 

Sheppardia lowei NE VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Sheppardia montana E EN 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Sheppardia sharpei NE LC 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 9 

Stactolaema olivacea NE LC 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 10 

Swynnertonia swynnertoni NE VU 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 

Turdus helleri E CR 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Turdus roehli E NE 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Xenoperdix obscurata E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 

Xenoperdix udzungwensis E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 

Zosterops silvanus E EN 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Zosterops winifredae E VU 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Amphib-ians Afrixalus uluguruensis NE VU 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 8 

Afrixalus morerei E VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Arthroleptides martiensseni NE EN 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 

Arthroleptides yakusini E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 5 

Arthroleptites sp E 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Arthroleptis affinis NE LC 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 7 

Arthroleptis nguruensis E NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Arthroleptis reichei NE NT 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 5 

Arthroleptis nikeae E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 

Arthroleptis tanneri E VU 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

Arthroleptis xenodactylus NE VU 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 

Boulengerula boulengeri E LC 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Boulengerula niedeni E CR 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Boulengerula taitanus E LC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Boulengerula uluguruensis E LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 

Boulengerula sp. E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Amietophrynus brauni E EN 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 5 

Mertensophryne uzunguensis NE VU 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 

Callulina kisiwamsitu E EN 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Callulina kreffti NE LC 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 6 

Callunlina sp.1 E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Callulina sp.2 E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Callulina sp.3 E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Callulina sp.4 E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Churamiti maridadi E CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 

S. Pare 


W. Usambara 

E. Usambara 

Nguu 

Nguru 

Ukaguru 

Uluguru 

Rubeho 

Malundwe 

Udzungwa 

Mahenge 



Taxa Species 

Endemism 


Taita 

N. Pare 

S. Pare 


W. Usambara 

Hoplophryne rogersi E EN 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Hoplophryne uluguruensis E VU 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 

Hoplophryne sp. E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Hyperolius kihangensis E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Hyperolius puncticulatus NE EN 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 9 

Hyperolius sp. (puncticulatus–like) NE EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 

Hyperolius minutissimus NE VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 

Hyperolius spinigularis NE LC 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 5 

Hyperolius tannerorum E EN 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Hyperolius tornieri E DD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Leptopelis barbouri NE VU 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 7 

Leptopelis uluguruensis E VU 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 8 

Leptopelis vermiculatus NE VU 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 9 

Leptopelis parkeri E VU 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 6 

Nectophrynoides asperginis E CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Leptopelis sp. E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Nectophrynoides cryptus E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Nectophrynoides frontierei E DD 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Nectophrynoides laevis E DD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Nectophrynoides laticeps E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Nectophrynoides minutus E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 

Nectophrynoides poyntoni E CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Nectophrynoides pseudotornieri E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Nectophrynoides tornieri NE LC 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 6 

Nectophrynoides vestergaardi E EN 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Nectophrynoides viviparus NE VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 3 

Nectophrynoides wendyae E CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Nectophrynoides sp.1 E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 




Parhoplophryne usambarica E CR 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Phlyctimantis keithae E VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Phrynobatrachus kreffti E EN 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

Phrynobatrachus uzungwensis E VU 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 6 

Probreviceps durirostris E EN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Probreviceps macrodactylus NE VU 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 5 

Probreviceps rungwensis NE VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 3 

Probreviceps uluguruensis E VU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Scolecomorphus kirkii NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 5 

Scolecomorphus uluguruensis E LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Scolecomorphus vittatus E LC 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 5 

Spelaeophryne methneri NE LC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 3 

Stephopaedes usambarae E EN 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

E. Usambara 

Nguu 

Nguru 

Ukaguru 

Uluguru 

Rubeho 

Malundwe 

Udzungwa 

Mahenge 



ANNEX 3. EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS: PROTECTED AREAS LIST 

Sites are listed in order of their respective sizes. Sites included within the serial nomination are shaded. 

ID Name of site Current 

Designation 


Future designation Size in 

Ha 

Mountain 

block 

11 Udzungwa Mountains National Park National Park 199,000 Udzungwa Kilolo / 

Kilombero 

District Owner / 

manager 

Buffer zones 

TANAPA Kilombero NR, 

farmland 

10 Kilombero Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 134,511 Udzungwa Kilombero FBD Udzungwa NP, 

farmland 

42 Ukwiva Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 78,780 Rubeho Kilosa FBD farmland 

9 Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve Nature Reserve (with 

issue of Mngeta 

corridor to Kilombero 

NR included) 

32,763 Udzungwa Mufindi, 

Kilombero 

FBD farmland (some 

corridor potential) 

13 Uluguru Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 24,000 Uluguru Morogoro, 

Mvomero 

FBD farmland 

4.1 Mkingu Forest Reserve Nature Reserve 23,388 Nguru Mvomero FBD Farmland, Mkindo 

FR 

19 Mufindi Scarp Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 16,737 Udzungwa Mufindi FBD farmland, tea 

estate 

12 Mamiwa North and South Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 15,178 Ukaguru Kilosa FBD farmland 

8 Chome Forest Reserve Nature Reserve 14,283 South Pare Pare FBD farmland 

6 Nguru North (could also 

be linked to Kilindi) 

Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 14,042 Nguu Kilindi FBD farmland 

50 Kising’a Lugalo Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 14,000 Udzungwa Kilolo FBD farmland 

49 Brook Bond Private Private 12,000 Udzungwa Unilever ? 

41 Palaulanga Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 10,620 Rubeho Kilosa FBD farmland, Wami 

(proposed corridor to 

Mikumi NP) 

WMA 

15 Magamba Forest Reserve Nature Reserve 8,700 West 

Usambara 

Lushoto FBD farmland


2 Amani Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 8,380 East 

Usambara 

14 Shagayu Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 7,830 West 

Usambara 

Muheza FBD farmland, tea and 

teak estate, 

Derema proposed 

FR 

Lushoto FBD farmland 

1 Nilo Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 6,225 East 

Usambara 

Korogwe FBD farmland 

48 Image Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 4,897 Udzungwa Kilolo T.T farmland 

18 Kilindi Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 4,299 Nguu Kilindi FBD farmland 

17 Mhindulo Block (Bamba, Forest Forest Reserve 4,120 East Mkinga FBD cocoa and orange 

Kwamgumi, Segoma) Reserves 

Usambara 

estate, farmland 

47 New Dagaba Ulongambi Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 3,728 Udzungwa Kilolo FBD farmland 

40 Mramba Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 3,355 North Pare Mwanga FBD farmland 

7 Mafwomero Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 3,237 Rubeho Mpwapwa FBD farmland 

16 Mtai Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 3,107 East 

Usambara 

Mkinga FBD farmland 

102 Ihang'ana Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 2,882 Udzungwa FBD ? 

23 Kigogo Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 2,522 Udzungwa Mufindi FBD farmland 

63 Mafi Hill Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 2,509 West 

Usambara 

outlier 

FBD ? 

3 Sali Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 1,890 Mahenge Ulanga FBD farmland 

5 Kanga Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 1,890 Nguru Mvomero FBD farmland 

32 Segoma Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 1,506 E. 

Usambara 

FBD farmland 

17 Kwamgumi Forest Forest Reserve 1,137 East Mkinga FBD cocoa and orange 

Reserve 

Usambara 

estate, farmland 

65 Bamba Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 1,109 E. 

Usambara 

FBD ? 

151 Kilanzi Kitungulu 1,100 Udzungwa Kilolo FBD ? 

24 Kambai Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 1,050 E. 

Usambara 

FBD ? 



46 Mufindi Tea Private Private 1,000 Udzungwa Lonrho ? 

121 Kimala Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 1,000 Udzunwga Kilolo Proposed ? 

64 Longuza Teak plantation Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 996 E. 

Usambara 

FBD ? 

120 Kitonga Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 629 Udzunwga Kilolo Proposed ? 

21 Kimboza Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 405 Uluguru Morogoro FBD farmland, Ruvu FR 

30 Magrotto (estate) Private Private 215 E. 

Usambara 

Private ? 

45 Lulanda Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 197 Udzungwa Local ? 

99 Kibao Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 108 Udzungwa Mufindi FBD ? 

37 Mikumi National Park Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 100 Malundwe Morogoro National ? 

(Malundwe Hill) 

Park 

119 Kawemba Forest Reserve Forest Reserve 58 Udzunwga Kilolo FBD ? 

31 Bombo West Forest Reserve Forest Reserve E. 

Usambara 

Korogwe FBD ? 

36 Derema Forest Reserve Forest Reserve E. 

Usambara 

Proposed ? 

26 Manga Forest Reserve Forest Reserve E. 

Usambara 

FBD ? 

34 Mlinga Forest Reserve Forest Reserve E. 

Usambara 

FBD ? 

35 Mlungui Forest Reserve Forest Reserve E. 

Usambara 

Proposed ? 

22 Mtai Forest Reserve Forest Reserve E. 

Usambara 

FBD ? 

33 Semdoe Forest Reserve Forest Reserve E. 

Usambara 

FBD ? 

66 Ligamba Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Mahenge Ulanga FBD ? 

67 Mahenge scarp Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Mahenge FBD ? 

68 Mselezi Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Mahenge FBD ? 

69 Muhulu Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Mahenge FBD ? 

70 Myoe Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Mahenge FBD ? 

71 Nawenge Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Mahenge FBD ? 

76 Kamwella I Forest Reserve Forest Reserve N. Pare Proposed ? 

77 Kamwella II Forest Reserve Forest Reserve N. Pare Proposed ? 



72 Kindoroko Forest Reserve Forest Reserve N. Pare Mwanga FBD ? 

75 Kiverenge Forest Reserve Forest Reserve N. Pare Proposed farmland 

73 Minja Forest Reserve Forest Reserve N. Pare FBD ? 

74 Mramba Forest Reserve Forest Reserve N. Pare FBD ? 

78 Magotwe Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Nguru? FBD ? 

81 Derema Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Nguu FBD farmland 

39 Kwediboma Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Nguu FBD ? 

80 Mbwegere Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Nguu FBD ? 

79 Mkongo Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Nguu FBD ? 

82 Pumula Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Nguu FBD farmland 

29 Ilole forest Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Rubeho No ? 

28 Ipondelo No status Forest Reserve Rubeho Mpwapwa FBD ? 

43 Mangalisa Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Rubeho Mpwapwa FBD farmland 

83 Wota Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Rubeho Mpwapwa FBD farmland 

84 Chambogo Forest Reserve Forest Reserve S. Pare Same FBD ? 

94 Dido Forest Reserve Forest Reserve S. Pare Proposed 

VFR 

? 

96 Ishereto Forest Reserve Forest Reserve S. Pare Proposed 

VFR 

116 Iwonde Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Udzungwa Kilombero FBD ? 

117 Iyondo Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Udzungwa FBD ? 

104 Njerera (Luhega) Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Udzungwa FBD ? 

51 Nyanganje Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Udzungwa FBD ? 

103 Ulagambi Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Udzungwa Kilolo FBD ? 

122 Kitemele Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Udzunwga Kilolo FBD ? 

123 Ikwamba Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Ukaguru Kilosa FBD ? 

124 Mamboto Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Ukaguru FBD ? 

125 Mamboya Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Ukaguru FBD ? 

25 Mamiwa Kisara South Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Ukaguru FBD ? 

126 Uponera Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Ukaguru FBD ? 

127 Kasanga Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Uluguru FBD ? 

129 Shikurufumi Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Uluguru FBD ? 


Status 

?


131 Dindili Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Uluguru 

(outlier) 

132 Kitulang'halo Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Uluguru 

(outlier) 

133 Mindu Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Uluguru 

(outlier) 

27 Mkungwe Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Uluguru 

(outlier) 

130 Nguru ya Ndege Forest Reserve Forest Reserve Uluguru 

(outlier) 

61 Ambangulu Private Private W. 

Usambara 

135 Baga -II Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

60 Balangai East Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

54 Balangai West Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

57 Bumba Mavumbi Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

149 Dindira Private Private W. 

Usambara 

139 Kikongoloi Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

53 Kisima Gonja Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

56 Kisimagonja Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

62 Lutindi (KKKT) Private Private W. 

Usambara 

138 Mahezangulu Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

140 Manka Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

147 Mgombani Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

Private 


? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 


Private 


? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

Private 


? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ?


136 Mkusu Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

137 Mweni Gombero Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

134 Mzinga Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

55 Ndelemai Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

148 Ndolwa Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

146 Vugiri Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

150 Mahenzangulu Forest Reserve Forest Reserve W. 

Usambara 

outlier 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

Lushoto FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 

FBD ? 



ANNEX 4. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE NINE SITES 



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