Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. The forests of the West Usambara have been far less studied for birds than those on the East Usambara mountains, especially recently. Apus barbatus breed in rock overhangs within Shume-Magambo Forest Reserve and the near-endemic Caprimulgus poliocephalus guttifer is locally common in forest-edge habitat. The rare Cinnyricinclus sharpii is often seen in the canopy at Magambo.

Site description The West Usambaras are a steep-sided block, oriented from south-east to north-west and rising from the edge of the coastal lowlands and central plateau at around 400–800 m. They have one main internal drainage system via the Umba river which flows eastwards from the north-eastern edge of the mountains. To the north lies Mkomazi Game Reserve (TZ016), to the north-west the Pare mountains, to the south-east the East Usambara (TZ070) and to the south the Pangani river valley which separates the mountains from the dry Acacia–Commiphora scrub of the Masai steppe.The western scarp is characterized by impressive sheer cliffs, often with remnant forest along the rim and extending down the many stream-eroded valleys into drier woodland at the base of the hills. The plateau has been extensively cultivated, especially around Lushoto, the district capital. Cultivation has increased significantly during the last few decades, especially noticeable in marginal land and along river valleys. The remaining forest is fragmented into many small blocks with only two large tracts remaining, both of which are under considerable pressure.The Forest Division list 27 Forest Reserves for Lushoto District. However, many of these are very small and others are production forests. Those that are significant, or are thought to be so, are Shagayu (6,223 ha protected), Shume Magamba (11,567 ha protected), Balangai West (1,074 ha), Kisimagonja (1,440 ha, badly degraded), Mjusu (3,670 ha, badly degraded), Ndelemai (3,554 ha), Bombo West (3,565 ha), Bumba Mavumbi (1,056 ha), Lutindi (2,176 ha), Mafi Hill (2,671 ha) and Ndolwa (1,173 ha). Only for Shagayu, Shume Magamba and Mafi is there anything like a complete bird inventory.In addition, there are two privately-owned forests of major ornithological importance, and are included in the IBA: Ambangulu Tea Estate, which is virtually all that remains of the lower altitude forest; and Mazumbai, which is upper montane forest.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Protected areas

Protected area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Balangai West	Forest Reserve	107,459	protected area contained by site	1,075
Kisima Gonja	Forest Reserve	158,208	protected area contained by site	1,582
Lutinde	Forest Reserve	0	protected area contained by site	2,176
Mafi Hill	Forest Reserve	444,475	protected area contained by site	4,445
Mkussu	Forest Reserve	429,200	protected area contained by site	4,292
Ndelemai	Forest Reserve	151,412	protected area contained by site	1,514
Shagayu	Forest Reserve	804,754	protected area contained by site	8,048
Shume Magamba	Nature Reserve	1,326,152	protected area contained by site	13,262

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity In common with other Eastern Arc forests, the West Usambaras have a diverse fauna and flora, including a number of the Eastern Arc endemics. However, most large mammals have been extirpated. Even forest primates seem much less common than in nearby forests, suggesting a long history of over-exploitation.

Management considerations Many of the natural forests have been degraded and destroyed, particularly at lower altitudes, where few remain. The human population is increasing and the poor agricultural methods of farming slopes do not prevent loss of topsoil during heavy rains. Pit-sawing and pole-cutting are further threats. A German-supported project has been working in the area for a number of years to improve agricultural practice and to include tree-planting on farms. There are also some local initiatives that involve planting fast-growing exotic trees such as Eucalyptus and Grevillia.

Further web sources of information 

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This site has been identified as an AZE due to it containing a Critically Endangered or Endangered species with a limited range.

Click here for more information about the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE)

References Burgess and Clarke (2000), Ezaza (1986), Iversen (1991), Lovett and Wasser (1993), Rodgers and Homewood (1982b).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: West Usambara Mountains. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013

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