Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The Choke mountains are to the south of Lake Tana in the centre of Gojam. The nearest large towns are Bahir Dar to the north and Debre Markos to the south. The small towns of Bichena and Mota lie to the east. This large mountain block rises gradually from the surrounding plateau to around 2,800 m, with the highest peak, Mt Choke, at 4,070 m. The Abbay river has cut a deep valley that defines the eastern limits of the area. The area has an inactive volcanic centre composed of basalt with a very thin cover of pyroclastic materials (volcanic ashes). Erosion has resulted in numerous, deeply incised valleys, which were covered with glaciers during the last ice-age. Many small streams originate in the mountains. The most remarkable feature of these mountains is the virtual absence of forest. The major natural habitats are moist moorland with giant
Lobelia spp.,
Alchemilla spp., sedges and tussocks of
Festuca spp. and other grasses, montane grasslands and meadows, cliffs and rocky areas. Woody plants,
Erica spp.,
Hypericum revolutum and
Arundinaria alpina are only found in patches. Agricultural activity is extensive, with cultivation up to 3,000 m.
See Box and Table 3 for key species. A survey in October 1995 recorded 49 species. Species of particular note (and characteristic of open highland habitats) are
Bostrychia carunculata,
Vanellus melanocephalus,
Columba albitorques,
Macronyx flavicollis (uncommon),
Corvus crassirostris and
Serinus nigriceps.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The mountains are totally unprotected and are severely threatened by the rapid agricultural expansion, overgrazing and excessive soil erosion.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Choke mountains (Ethiopia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/choke-mountains-iba-ethiopia on 23/11/2024.
