Nguru Mountains

The Nguru Mountains ( = Southern Nguru Mountains ) are located about 120 km from the coast of the Indian Ocean located in the district of the Morogoro region of Tanzania Mvomero. They consist of the main mountain Nguru (2400 m ) and the isolated nearby Mount Kanga (2018 m), between the massifs of the small river Mjonga. They and their ancient rain forests are among the global centers of biodiversity and are home to numerous species, including many endemic species. They are located roughly in the center of the Eastern Arc Mountains, the nearest massifs are Nguu ( = Northern Nguru Mountains ), Ukaguru and Uluguru.

The Nguru Mountains are bounded on the east and south by high and often steep fracture stages in the north and north-west they slope gradually to the Massai, they drain to the river Wami. Due to the southeast trade they receive high annual rainfall ( average 1800 mm ). Your relationships are often passed from rainforests, the characteristics vary according to altitude and exposure. Lowland rain forest is found between 300 and 900 m, him close to submontane forests on. In 1400-2000 m growing mountain forests above 2000 m and on very poor soils Gentiles. The entire massif covers an area of about 1703.26 km ², of which about 340.4 km ² are covered with forest.

Reserves

Designated as a protected area are three forest reserves: Nguru South Catchment Forest Reserve ( 19793 ha with one of the largest mountain forests of Tanzania ), Mkindo CFR ( 7451 ha, also referred to as Mikindo ) and Kanga South CFR ( 6664 ha). The Nguru Mountains are recognized as an " Important Bird Area " (IBA ) TZ059. The degree of overlap of the IBA with the CFRs is low.

Flora and Fauna

The Southern Nguru Mountains are difficult to access and only little explored. Between October 2004 and May 2006 here 322 plant and 329 animal species have been recorded. 5 of these plant species and 9 of the detected species (1 species of reptiles and 8 species of amphibians ) were strict endemics ( only in the Southern Nguru Mountains occurring), 73 additional species endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains, were added 38 near-endemic species.

The Nguru Mountains provide a hot spot of biodiversity, particularly in amphibians and reptiles dar. Menegon et al. (2008) presented a list of 92 species of herpetofauna, which included 16 species newly discovered. Since then performed more original descriptions.

Endangering

Conversion of forest to farmland and lower plantings of crops (eg bananas and cardamom with simultaneous removal of the undergrowth ) and logging threaten habitats and biodiversity. The vast majority of species were only in largely undisturbed forests, but not in other habitats ( eg teak plantations) detected.