Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve (45610)
Kenya, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.5217, Longitude: 37.9860
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 600 to 1800
Area of KBA (km2): 311.20536
Protected area coverage (%): 10.42
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mumoni Hill Forest emerges as 'inselberg' from arid scrub land vegetation at 600 m plains, rising to 1800 m above sea level. The Climate is arid and semi arid with characteristic erratic and unreliable rainfall. Mean annual rainfall ranges from as low as 500 mm in the lowlands to over 1050 mm in the hilltop. The site experiences two rain seasons, long rains between March to June and Short rains between October and December. Temperature and evaporation rates are generally high with February and September being the hottest months of the year. Minimum mean annual temperatures vary between 140 to 220 C while maximum mean annual temperatures vary between 260 C to 340C.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: Its an important site for raptors, including Afro tropical and Palaerctic migrants. It hosts the following key species: Hinde's Pied- babbler and Martial Eagle (Vulnerable), Southern Banded Snake-eagle, Pallid Harrier and Crowned Eagle (Near Threatened). The site also holds 15 species of the Somali-Masai Biome, four species of Afro tropical highland and two species characteristic of the East African Coast . More than 200 species have been recorded at the site with a higher diversity in the low lands. The Taita toad, Bufo taitanus, which was previously only known to be restricted to the Taita hills, and the Pancake Tortoise Malacochersus tornieri were recorded in 2006 surveys. 375 plant species were identified in 2006. A total of 9 species of reptiles and amphibians have been recorded here too.
Other site values: Its a gazetted government dry land indigenous forest with some pockets of exotic plantations. Easily accessible with permission from the forest people.Local guides can be got at Musosya market -through the Mumoni Site Support Group or contact Nature Kenya for assistance. The roads are passable during the dry season but in the rainy season, one needs a four wheel car and be cautious.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The vegetation is characterized by scrub lands and wooded bush land on the lowlands while the hilltop by upland dry forest ecosystems dominated by Drypetes, Combretum, Vepris and Croton species. There are perennial springs that sustain the dry land human and animal life. During the early 19th century before forest gazzetment and environmental awareness, people had settled and cultivated at higher elevations growing crops such as yams. Rock outcrops also form a small percentage of the habitat. Its a gazetted government dry land indigenous forest with some pockets of exotic plantations.
Land use: forestry (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Forest | 70 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Illegal harvesting of timber Charcoal burning Cattle grazing Fires Encroachment Debarking for medicinal purposes from Warburgia ugandensis and Pittospoum viridiflorum
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Malonza et al, 2006. Biodiversity Assessment in Dry land Hilltops of Kitui and Mwingi Districts, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi-Kenya.