The Albertine Rift montane forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests , also known as tropical moist forests, are a tropical and subtropical forest biome ecoregion An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural communities and species. The biodiversity of flora, fauna in the heart of tropical Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area. With a billion people (as of 2009, see table) in 61 territories, it accounts for about 14.72% of the World's human population.
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Location and description
The high montane forests cover the western portions of Rwanda The Republic of Rwanda , known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, is a country located in the Great Lakes region of east-central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania and Burundi Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi, is a small landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its size is just under 28,000 km² with an estimated population of almost 8,700,000. Its capital is Bujumbura, the eastern edge of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Coordinates: 2°52′48″S 23°39′22″E / 2.88°S 23.656°E The Democratic Republic of the Congo , known until 1997 as Zaire, is a country located in Central Africa, with a small length of Atlantic coastline. It is the third largest country (by area) in Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is, with the population more than 68, and portions of western Uganda Coordinates: 1°17′N 32°23′E / 1.28°N 32.39°E The Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania. The southern part of the country includes a substantial and Tanzania Coordinates: 6°18′25″S 34°51′14″E / 6.307°S 34.854°E The United Republic of Tanzania is a nation in central East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian. This area occupies the parallel mountain ranges that enclose the Albertine Rift The Great Rift Valley is a name given in the late 19th century by British explorer John Walter Gregory to the continuous geographic trench, approximately 6,000 kilometres in length, that runs from northern Syria in Southwest Asia to central Mozambique in East Africa. The name continues in some usages, although it is today considered geologically, the western branch of the Great Rift Valley The Great Rift Valley is a name given in the late 19th century by British explorer John Walter Gregory to the continuous geographic trench, approximately 6,000 kilometres in length, that runs from northern Syria in Southwest Asia to central Mozambique in East Africa. The name continues in some usages, although it is today considered geologically. The mountain ranges include the Lendu Plateau of Uganda (although here the forest has almost completely been cleared), Virunga Mountains The Virunga Mountains are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa, along the northern border of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. They are located between Lake Edward and Lake Kivu, and Rwenzori Mountains The Rwenzori Mountains, previously called the Ruwenzori Range is a mountain range of central Africa, often referred to as Mt. Rwenzori, located on the border between Uganda and the DRC, with heights of up to 5,109 m (16,761 ft) at 0°23′09″N 29°52′18″E / 0.38583°N 29.87167°E . At the highest elevations of the Rwenzori and Virunga ranges (above 3000 meters), the forests transition to the Afroalpine Afromontane is a term used to describe the plant and animal species common to the mountains of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. The afromontane regions of Africa are discontinuous, separated from each other by lowlands, and are sometimes referred to as the Afromontane archipelago, as their distribution is analogous to a series of islands Rwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands ecoregion An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural communities and species. The biodiversity of flora, fauna, including the high peaks of Mount Stanley Mount Stanley is a mountain located in the Ruwenzori Range. It is the highest mountain of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, and the third highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya (5,199 m). The peak and several other surrounding peaks are high enough to support glaciers. Mount Stanley is named for the journalist and and Mount Karisimbi Mount Karisimbi is an inactive volcano in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. At 4,507 metres , Karisimbi is the highest of the eight major mountains of the mountain range, which is a part of the East African Rift Valley. Karisimbi is flanked by Mikeno to the north, Bisoke to the east and. The highest peak in Burundi, Mount Heha however is in this ecoregion.
Flora and fauna
The mountain rainforests of the ecoregion have a cooler climate than the Congolian lowland forests or the savanna of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, and therefore are home to a rich variety of Afromontane Afromontane is a term used to describe the plant and animal species common to the mountains of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. The afromontane regions of Africa are discontinuous, separated from each other by lowlands, and are sometimes referred to as the Afromontane archipelago, as their distribution is analogous to a series of islands flora and especially fauna. The rare Mountain Gorilla The Mountain Gorilla is one of the two subspecies of the Eastern Gorilla. There are two populations. One is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within three national parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The other is found in (Gorilla beringei beringei) survives only in this ecoregion as do L'Hoest's Monkey L'Hoest's Monkey , or Mountain Monkey, is a guenon found in the upper eastern Congo basin. They mostly live in mountainous forest areas in small, female-dominated groups. They have a dark coat and can be distinguished by a characteristic white beard and a sub-species of Hamlyn's Monkey Hamlyn's Monkey , also known as the Owl-faced Monkey, is a species of Old World monkey that inhabits the bamboo and primary rainforests of the Congo. This species is exceedingly rare and known only from a few specimens; little is known about it. However these specimens tend to be widely dispersed throughout the eastern part of Congo, from the as well as many species of butterflies, and birds including Grauer's Warblers Grauer's Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family. It is found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, Chapin's Flycatchers Chapin's Flycatcher is a bird species in the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae). It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, and possibly Rwanda. The subspecies itombwensis (Itombwe Flycatcher) may constitute a separate species, and the Ruwenzori Turaco The Ruwenzori Turaco is a species of bird in the Musophagidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Ruwenzorornis. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The montane forests are included on the Global 200 The Global 200 is the list of ecoregions identified by the World Wildlife Fund as priorities for conservation. According to the WWF, an ecoregion is defined as a "relatively large unit of land or water containing a characteristic set of natural communities that share a large majority of their species, dynamics, and environmental conditions ( list.
Threats and protection
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 ranges including the Virunga, Itombwe, and Rwenzori. The forest clearance is ongoing and is a major threat to the ecology of the region. The violent history of the region in recent times has also caused damage to the ecological balance, for example almost eliminating the population of elephant The African Bush Elephant is the larger of the two species of African elephant. Both it and the African Forest Elephant have usually been classified as a single species, known simply as the African Elephant. Some authorities still consider the currently available evidence insufficient for splitting the African Elephant into two species. It is also from Virunga National Park The Virunga National Park lies from the Virunga Mountains, to the Rwenzori Mountains, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda. Covering 7,800 square kilometres (3,000 sq mi) it was established in 1925 as Africa's first national park. It was classified in the Congo.
As well as Virunga the ecoregion includes the Ruwenzori Mountains National Park Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a Ugandan national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Rwenzori Mountains. Almost 1,000 km2 in size, the park has Africa's third highest mountain peak and many waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers. The park is known for its beautiful plant life, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in East Africa. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and is situated along the Democratic Republic of Congo border next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the western Rift Valley. It comprises 331 square kilometres of jungle forests and contains both, Kibale National Park Kibale National Park is a national park in western Uganda protecting moist evergreen rainforest. The park was created in 1993 to protect a large area of forest previously managed as a logged Forest Reserve . The park adjoins with Queen Elizabeth National Park and is an important eco-tourism and safari destination, popular for its population of and Volcanoes National Park Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo) in Uganda.
Urban areas and settlements
Built-up areas in the region include:
- in Uganda - the market town of Fort Portal Fort Portal is a town in western Uganda. It is the seat of both Kabarole District and Toro Kingdom, base for watching chimpanzees in Kibale National Park Kibale National Park is a national park in western Uganda protecting moist evergreen rainforest. The park was created in 1993 to protect a large area of forest previously managed as a logged Forest Reserve . The park adjoins with Queen Elizabeth National Park and is an important eco-tourism and safari destination, popular for its population of.
- in Rwanda - Ruhengeri Ruhengeri is a city in Musanze district, in the North Province of Rwanda. It is also sometimes known as Musanze due to being the district headquarters. The city lies near Lake Bulera and the Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of the country. It is home to an airstrip. The city is often used as the jump-off point for visiting the (near the Volcanoes National Park Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), and the Lake Kivu Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika towns of Gisenyi Gisenyi is a city in Rubavu district in the West Province of Rwanda. Gisenyi is contiguous with Goma, the city across the border in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The population of the city is about 106 000, Kibuye Kibuye is a city in Karongi district, and the capital of West Province in Rwanda. The city lies on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, about halfway down, and between Gisenyi and Cyangugu. It is known as a beach resort and is home to a genocide memorial marking the massacre of 90% of the town's Tutsi population in the Rwandan Civil War. The Ndaba (for boats trips to Napoleon Island in the lake, and Cyangugu Cyangugu is a city and capital of the Rusizi district of West Province, Rwanda. The city lies at the southern end of Lake Kivu, and is contiguous with Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, but separated from it by the Ruzizi River. Two bridges and a dam cross the river frontier, base for watching primates in the Nyungwe Forest Nyungwe Forest National Park is a national park in southwestern Rwanda, located south of Lake Kivu on the border with Burundi. The park was established in 2004 and covers an area of approximately 970 km² of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bogs. The nearest town is Cyangugu, 54 km to the west. Mount Bigugu is located within the park.
- in the DRC Coordinates: 2°52′48″S 23°39′22″E / 2.88°S 23.656°E The Democratic Republic of the Congo , known until 1997 as Zaire, is a country located in Central Africa, with a small length of Atlantic coastline. It is the third largest country (by area) in Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is, with the population more than 68) - the Lake Kivu Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika cities of Goma Goma is a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, next to the Rwandan city of Gisenyi. The lake and the two cities are in the western branch of the Great Rift Valley, and Goma lies only 13 to 18 km due south of the crater of the active Nyiragongo Volcano. The recent history of Goma has been, opposite Gisenyi and the base for visiting Virunga National Park) and Bukavu Bukavu is a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo , lying at the extreme south-eastern extent of Lake Kivu, west of Cyangugu in Rwanda, and separated from it by the outlet of the Ruzizi River. It is the capital of the Sud-Kivu province and as of 2009 it had an estimated population of 241,690., with another 250,000 people living in the, opposite Cyangugu and near the Kahuzi-Biéga National Park The park is one of the last refuges of the rare Mountain Gorilla and was the original site where Dian Fossey studied gorillas before relocating to Rwanda. Prior to conflicts which have plagued this part of Africa since the 1990's, only an estimated 600 gorillas remained throughout the range. As a result of the remaining gorilla population, the, which is home to mountain gorillas but endangered due to the conflict in the region (see Second Congo War The Second Congo War, also known as Africa's World War and the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , and officially ended in July 2003 when the Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo took power (though hostilities continue to this day). The largest war in modern African history,).
- in Burundi - the northwestern towns of Cibitoke and flood-ravaged Bubanza Bubanza is a city located in northwestern Burundi. It is the capital city of Bubanza Province. It is also the seat of the Commune of Bubanza, and the southern city of Bururi where Bururi Natural Reserve preserves some of the Afro-montane forest.
Visiting the region
Popular activities include:
- gorilla watching in Virunga National Park The Virunga National Park lies from the Virunga Mountains, to the Rwenzori Mountains, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda. Covering 7,800 square kilometres (3,000 sq mi) it was established in 1925 as Africa's first national park. It was classified, or in the Volcanoes National Park Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo) in Rwanda (formerly the base of zoologist Dian Fossey Dian Fossey was an American zoologist who undertook an extensive study of gorilla groups over a period of 18 years. She observed them daily for years in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by famous paleontologist Louis Leakey. She was murdered in 1985, by unknown assailants; the case technically remains open).
- trekking in the Rwenzori Mountains The Rwenzori Mountains, previously called the Ruwenzori Range is a mountain range of central Africa, often referred to as Mt. Rwenzori, located on the border between Uganda and the DRC, with heights of up to 5,109 m (16,761 ft) at 0°23′09″N 29°52′18″E / 0.38583°N 29.87167°E .
External links
- Albertine Rift montane forests (World Wildlife Fund)
- Albertine Rift programme (Wildlife Conservation Society)
- The Rwanda Tourist Board (ORTPN)
- Volcanoes National Park at UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre
- The Virunga Primates page from Footprint Adventures
Categories: Afrotropic | Afromontane | Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests | Global 200 ecoregions | Geography of Uganda | Geography of Rwanda | Geography of Burundi | Ecoregions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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hu, 21 Jun 2007 05:44:01 GM
congolian coastal . forests. , cameroon highlands . forests. , northeastern congo basin moist . forests. , central congo basin moist . forests. , central congo basin moist . forests. , western congo basin moist . forests. , . albertine rift montane forests. , ...
