Mtwara District Coastal Forests (7015)
Tanzania, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Mtwara District Coastal Forests

Central coordinates: Latitude: -10.5000, Longitude: 40.0000

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 300

Area of KBA (km²): 19.60712

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Mtwara District is the south-easternmost part of Tanzania, bordering the Indian Ocean and Mozambique. The district is generally low-lying with much modified coastal woodland rising to only 300 m. There are numerous rivers flowing off the Mkonde plateau, either eastwards to the ocean or southwards into the Ruvuma river. The often deep valleys created by these rivers, in particular the Kitame, Mkundi and Mutumnudi may contain forest habitat, but none have been investigated. Mtiniko Forest Reserve (1,736 ha) lies to the west of Mtimiko [sic] village along the Newala to Mtwara road and is know to local people as ‘Shamba ya Bibi’. It is bordered along its northern edge by the valley of the Mutumnudi river.

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: See Box for key species. Little is known of the birds of the area, but Circaetus fasciolatus has been recorded and is widespread in the hinterland of Mtwara town (which may indicate that substantial patches of forest remain in the area). Three species of the East African Coast biome are known to occur, and more may be expected to do so. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Habitats

Land use: forestry | water management

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No information.

Additional information