Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Jozani Forest Reserve is the only remaining forest left on Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar. It is a small, much modified groundwater-forest, which includes a 12 ha plantation. Some tree species, such as
Calyophyllum inophyllum, initially thought to have been introduced, are now believed to be indigenous. Even in heavily exploited areas a variety of tree species still occur and are regenerating. There has been no commercial exploitation of Jozani since 1990.
See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. The annotated checklist for Zanzibar lists 217 species. All forest species known for Unguja occur at Jozani as it holds virtually all the remaining forest habitat on the island. Birds include three endemic races:
Tauraco fischeri zanzibaricus,
Andropadus virens zanzibaricus and
Nectarinia veroxii zanzibarica. A fourth,
Nectarinia olivacea granti, is shared only with Pemba island and a fifth,
Cercotrichas quadrivrigata greenwayi, is shared with Mafia island.
Non-bird biodiversity: The primate Colobus badius kirkii (EN) is endemic to the island and 30% of the total population of 2,400 is centred on Jozani Forest, which must be considered essential to its long-term survival. The near-endemic ungulate Cephalophus adersi (EN) has its stronghold on Unguja with a population estimated at below 2,000, in five fragmented sub-populations, including one at Jozani.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Jozani Forest Reserve is a small site, the long-term viability of which must be in some doubt. During the past decade, however, there has been a growing environmental awareness within Zanzibar, which is being translated into action in conserving such habitats as Jozani, which is a popular tourist destination. In 1995 an integrated development and conservation project was initiated at the forest with the aim of creating a community-supported protected area. Hunting has been a major problem and continues to threaten the population of
Cephalophus adersi.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Jozani Forest (Tanzania). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/jozani-forest-iba-tanzania on 22/11/2024.
