Given the high density of species, the Eastern Arc Mountains are likely to suffer more plant and vertebrate extinction for a given loss of habitat than other biodiversity hotspot.
After surviving millions of years, the forests here are disappearing. Cleared for agriculture and timber, and destroyed by fire and mining, more than 12% have been lost since the 1970’s. In the East Usambaras, deforestation is worse, with 30% of the forest cleared over the same time period.
Importantly, the surviving forests are in fragments, setting the stage for a cascade of impending extinctions over time. Given the high density of species, this area is likely to suffer more plant and vertebrate extinction for a given loss of habitat than other hotspots. As Tanzania’s population continues to grow, the pressures on the forests will become even more significant.
We are actively working on three corridors in Tanzania – two in the Usambara Mountains close gaps in the forest caused by forest fires and one in the Udzungwa Mountains helps elephants move safely between two national parks.
Connecting Tanzania’s Forests
Linking two National Parks in a unique conservation partnership with park leadership and the local community, this new approach to connecting protected areas across an agricultural landscape is the first of is kind.
Human-wildlife conflicts are on the rise as elephants try to navigate an increasingly complex landscape of highways, railroads, farms, and villages. Safe passage is vital for their survival and for the safety of the local community.
Our elephant corridor in the Udzungwa Mountains links the Kilombero Nature Reserve and the Selous Game Reserve. The corridor traces existing elephant migration routes between the two protected areas that have experience high human-wildlife conflict. In doing so, it crosses a mosaic of riverine forest, woodland, degraded pasture, swamp, and teak plantations in the Kilombero valley.
Saving Nature is funding the portion of the corridor that funnels elephants under a major highway as they exit the park to avoid fatal road collisions. The work involves excavating and grading the underpass, fencing the perimeter to guide elephants to the underpass and tree planting to provide cover.
Led by the team at STEP (Saving Tanzania’s Elephant Population), the plan aligns with the government framework for creating wildlife corridors connecting its national network of protected areas. Our hope is that this first-of-its-kind elephant corridor will become a model for reconnecting Tanzania’s forests.
Replanting After Forest Fires
The Magamba Nature Reserve and Amani Nature Forest Reserve are two of the largest forest fragment remaining in the Usambara mountain block. Gaps in the forest have not regenerated following a fire in the late 1980’s. Today, there are still very few standing trees and invasive bracken fern has overtaken the gaps. This pervasive and difficult to eradicate fern spreads easily, crowding out saplings and creating a fire risk during the dry season
In 2021 we launched a program to restore two vital connections between forest fragments. We established a nursery for native trees, creating employment opportunities for the local community in collecting, germinating, and planting native seeds, as well as managing plots and monitoring seedling survival. Full scale tree planting is now underway.
Our corridors in the Magamba Nature Forest Reserve (Western Usambaras) and Amani Nature Forest Reserve (Eastern Usambaras) are unique collaborations between Amani Friends of Nature (our local conservation partner), park leadership, and the surrounding communities. Together, they are planting native trees supplied by community nurseries to restore vital habitat connections, ensure long-term forest protection, and provide new economic opportunities, particularly for women.
HELP RECONNECT TANZANIA'S FORESTS
Reduce human-wildlife conflict with wildlife corridors