Albertine Rift montane forests
Albertine Rift montane forests Forêts montagnardes du Rift Albertin | |
---|---|
Ecology | |
Biome | Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests |
Borders | List
|
Bird species | 732[1] |
Mammal species | 228[1] |
Geography | |
Area | 103,900 km2 (40,100 sq mi) |
Countries | |
Coordinates | 2°45′S 29°08′E / 2.75°S 29.14°E |
Conservation | |
Habitat loss | 27.433%[1] |
Protected | 12.48%[1] |
The Albertine Rift montane forests (French: Forêts montagnardes du Rift Albertin) is a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion in east-central Africa. The ecoregion covers the mountains of the northern Albertine Rift, and is home to distinct Afromontane forests with high biodiversity.[2][3][4]
Geography
The high montane forests cover the western portions of
At the highest elevations of the Rwenzori and Virunga ranges (above 3000 meters), the forests transition to the
Urban areas and settlements
Developed and settled areas in the region include:
- Uganda — the market town of Fort Portal, base for watching chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, and hub for visiting the Ruwenzori mountains to the north.
- Rwanda — Ruhengeri (near the Volcanoes National Park, and the Lake Kivu towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye (for boats trips to Napoleon Island in the lake, and Cyangugu, base for watching primates in the Nyungwe Forest.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo — the Lake Kivu cities of Goma, opposite Gisenyi and the base for visiting Virunga National Park) and Bukavu, opposite Cyangugu and near the Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, which is home to mountain gorillas but endangered due to the conflict in the region (see Second Congo War).
- Burundi — the northwestern towns of Cibitoke and flood-ravaged Bubanza, and the southern city of Bururi where Bururi Forest Nature Reserve preserves some of the Afromontane forest.
Flora and fauna
The mountain rainforests of the ecoregion have a cooler climate than the
The rare
Conservation
Much of the forest has already been cleared for agriculture or for logging, especially in densely populated Rwanda and Burundi, but large areas of forest still remains in forest reserves and at higher altitudes in the Virunga, Itombwe, and Rwenzori Ranges. The forest clearance is ongoing and is a major threat to the ecology of the region, and to the forests as an important carbon store.[5]
The violent political and rebel history of the region in recent times has also caused damage to the ecological balance, for example almost eliminating the population of African bush elephants from Virunga National Park in the DRC.
Protected areas
11.93% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include:[3]
- Bururi Forest Nature Reserve, Burundi
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
- Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Rwanda
- Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Kazinga Wildlife Sanctuary, Uganda
- Kibale National Park, Uganda
- Kibira National Park, Burundi
- Kisimba Ikobo Primate Nature Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Uganda
- Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
- Monge Forest Nature Reserve, Burundi
- Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda
- Rusizi National Park, Burundi
- Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda
- Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
- Semuliki National Park, Uganda
- Tayna Nature Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Uganda
- Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Recreation
Visitor activities in the ecoregion's habitats include:
- Mountain gorilla watching in the 434 square kilometres (168 sq mi) Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) of the Virunga Mountains, which includes:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
- Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda — former base of zoologist Dian Fossey.
- Kibale National Park in Uganda.
- Trekking in the Ruwenzori Mountains National Park.
References
- ^ a b c d
Hoekstra, J. M.; Molnar, J. L.; Jennings, M.; Revenga, C.; Spalding, M. D.; Boucher, T. M.; Robertson, J. C.; Heibel, T. J.; Ellison, K. (2010). Molnar, J. L. (ed.). The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference. ISBN 978-0-520-26256-0.
- ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ a b "Albertine Rift montane forests". DOPA Explorer. Accessed 22 March 2022. [1]
- ^ "Albertine Rift montane forests". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- S2CID 237307786. Archived from the original on 2021-09-07. Retrieved 2021-09-07.)
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External links
- "Albertine Rift montane forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- Albertinerift.org: Albertine Rift Programme — of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
- The Rwanda Tourist Board (ORTPN)
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre.org: Volcanoes National Park Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
- Footprint Adventures.uk: The Virunga Primates
- Bebif.be: Albertine Rift Projects — of the Royal Museum for Central Africa − including native birds, butterflies, fish, & family Rubiaceae plants.