Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The Rubeho mountains form a dissected plateau in the centre of the Eastern Arc mountains where the mountain chain skirts the western edge of Mikumi National Park (TZ006) and the Mkata plain. To the north, across the valley of the Mkondoa river, lie the Kiboriani and Ukaguru mountains (TZ067), while to the south, beyond the Ruaha river, are the Udzungwa mountains (TZ066). Only three Forest Reserves are listed for these mountains and are included in the IBA: Ukwiva (54,635 ha), Mafwemiro (3,238 ha) and Mangalisa (4,988 ha). Ukwiva covers the main highland block and rises from the Myombo river valley at 1,000 m to Ledengombe peak at 1,941 m. The western part of the reserve comprises dry montane forest at 1,600–1,700 m with a low canopy of 10–15 m, dominated by
Macaranga kilimandscharica in the valleys. However, the eastern edge of the reserve is much more humid and undisturbed, except by elephants
Loxodonta africana. Mafwemiro sits across the southern arm of the north-western plateau which rises to 2,152 m. Mangalisa covers the top plateau of an isolated mountain block in the Great Ruaha river basin, lies 15 km west of the main plateau and rises to 2,286 m. Its vegetation comprises semi-evergreen woodland patches and rather disturbed forest in the northern part and mature
Podocarpus-dominated forest in the southern part.
See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. Both
Zoothera gurneyi, a nominally montane species, and
Cossypha natalensis, a low-altitude species, have been reported breeding at one locality. The river holds
Anas sparsa and
Podica senegalensis.
Macrosphenus kretschmeri has been recorded at 1,800 m, 300 m higher than previously recorded.
Gorsachius leuconotus has been recorded in the valley near Madazini. In Mangalisa
Sarothrura elegans,
Schoutedenapus myoptilus,
Apaloderma vittatum,
Lanius marwitzi and
Muscicapa caerulescens all occur. Both
Nectarinia mediocris and
Nectarinia moreaui were noted and
Monticola angolensis occurred in the woodland on the northern part of the plateau at lower elevations.
Sheppardia lowei has not been recorded, but may exist at low densities.
Non-bird biodiversity: Among mammals, Loxodonta africana (EN) and Syncerus caffer (LR/cd) use Ukwiva Forest Reserve and at least some of these animals may move on an annual basis between these forests and Mikumi NP; Cephalophus natalensis (LR/cd) occurs on Mangalisa.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
There is less pressure on these forests than many others in the Eastern Arc because of difficulties of access. However, surrounding populations are increasing and there are problems of cultivation within the Forest Reserve in a few areas.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Rubeho Mountains (Tanzania). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/rubeho-mountains-iba-tanzania on 23/11/2024.
