Mutitu Forest (45611)
Kenya, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, B1

Year of last assessment: 2016

National site name: Mutitu Forest

Central coordinates: Latitude: -1.2542, Longitude: 38.1550

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 800 to 1580

Area of KBA (km²): 228.20013

Protected area coverage (%): 8.62

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Mutitu Forest is situated in Kitui County and it emerges as inselbergs, from arid scrub land vegetation at 800 m plains, rising to about 1580 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 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 140C to 220C while maximum mean annual temperatures vary between 260C to 340C.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.

Additional biodiversity: The Hills are important for raptors and some Afro tropical and Palaearctic migrants. It hosts Hinde's Pied-babbler and Martial Eagle (Vulnerable) and the Pallid Harrier (Near Threatened), which are species of of conservation concern. A total of eight species of reptiles and amphibians have been recorded too.

Other site values: It is a gazetted forest managed by Kenya Forest Service. Permission from KFS is needed.

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 do sustain the dry land human and animal life. Rock outcrops form a big percentage of the habitat. Much of the land is under forest cover, hence only acts as a watershed and for research purposes.

Land use: forestry (70%) | nature conservation and research (15%) | tourism/recreation (15%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)	20
Forest	80

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Illegal harvesting of timber, medicinal plants harvesting and charcoal burning. Fires during the dry spell Encroachment and pole cutting at some of the sections of the forest.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Small dams	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Small-holder farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target)	Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Only in the future
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Climate change & severe weather	Droughts		Ongoing
Pollution	Garbage & solid waste		Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas		Ongoing
Transportation & service corridors	Roads & railroads		Ongoing

Additional information