Indigenous forests fragmentation and the signifi cance of ethnic forests for conservation in the North Pare, the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania

Abstract

This study evaluates the extent and effects of fragmentation of the forests in the Eastern Arc Mountains, and particularly in the North Pare Mountains (NPM). The data have been collected using participatory methods. The vegetation cover analysis is based on comparison of air photos, satellite images and maps. In the NPM, the forest fragmentation is more substantial than presented in previous studies. The loss of indigenous forests in the NPM during 1982–1997 was 31%, and the loss of all types of forest was about 37%. During the same period, the cultivated land area increased by 68%. In 1997, the total area of the closed forests was no more than 5% of the land area. They have, however, a high endemism and a rich biodiversity. Only about a fi fth of the Government Forest Reserves (FRs) are closed forests at present. Outside the FRs traditionally protected forests (TPFs) and riverine forests are the last indigenous forest remnants, both of which have been protected by local Gweno ethnic communities “forever”. The total area of the TPFs is considerable, about 1/3 of the size of closed forests inside the FRs. In that sense, the importance of the TPFs for biodiversity conservation becomes evident. These forests can act as corridors or stepping stones in connecting the FRs. Also, about 77% of the TPFs are located in the most fertile altitudes between 1200–1400 meters where no FRs exist. They are ideal for biodiversity conservation as their management is based on local caretakers and customs.