Above is a map, which shows the location of the hotspots in Africa- Tanzania.

Tanzania is a country located in East Africa. The Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests hotspot stretches along most of the eastern coast of Tanzania and into extreme southeastern Kenya. The hotspot extends more than 400 kilometers inland across Tanzania toward Lake Nyasa. A chain of upland and coastal forests, this hotspot comprises only 0.1 percent of tropical Africa's land area yet contains a startling 13 percent of the entire continent's vascular plants.  Nine endemic primate species, like the critically endangered Tana River red colobus monkey, and the delicate African violets are among the region's best known species.

Hotspot Original Extent (sq. km.)	30,000
Hotspot Vegetation Remaining (sq. km.)	2,000
Area Protected (sq. km.)	5,800
Plant Species	4,000
Endemic Plant Species	1,500
Terrestrial Vertebrate Species	1,019
Endemic Terrestrial Vertebrate Species	121
Threatened Species*	43
Critically Endangered Species*	7
Extinct Species*	1
* Endemic terrestrial vertebrates. Extinct species since 1500.

ecosystem

A chain of upland and coastal forests, this hotspot is characterized by astonishingly dense concentrations of plant species in a relatively small land area. The Eastern Arc Mountains, which average about 2,000 meters in altitude, are blanketed with upland montane forests that have been isolated from other ecosystems for as many as 30 million years, and in some cases up to 100 million years. These remaining fragments of forests are islands of moist climate surrounded on all sides by semiarid lands; consequently, these mountains support high levels of plant diversity and endemism. The ecosystems found in the hotspot range from dry lowland forests and humid forests to montane grasslands and subalpine meadows.

The original expanse of forests in this hotspot covered an estimated 30,000 square kilometers although it is likely that only about a third of this forest remained when European colonists arrived a century ago. In the last 50 years, an additional 4,000 square kilometers has been destroyed, and today only 5,800 square kilometers or 19.3 percent of the original hotspot remains unconverted. Only about 2,000 square kilometers or 6.7 percent of the original area remains in relatively pristine condition, and in some places, that remaining habitat is shrinking at a rate of 2 percent per year.

 

 

 

 

  The Ader's Duiker (Cephalophus adersi) is an endangered species accepted to be extinct in its original range on the African mainland coastal thicket and forests of the Kenyan coast. Today, only a relict population survives on Zanzibar (Unguja) island and this small population continues to dwindle as a result of habitat destruction and uncontrolled hunting despite being protected by Zanzibar law (Archer 1994). A long-term captive breeding program is now proposed by the Department of Forestry of Zanzibar, but urgent attention is required if this species is to avoid extinction.

Therefore, in 1995 CHICOP began work with the Department of Forestry towards the establishment of an Aders duiker sanctuary in the Chumbe forest. Consultants of the Department and of CHICOP studied conditions there, and the Chumbe forest was found to be of exceptionally good quality to provide suitable habitat for these duikers.

 

 

 

 

 

 The Zanzibar red colobus is one of Africa's most rare and endangered primates and is threatened by continued habitat loss and degradation. They are also a major economic resource in Zanzibar attracting 24,000 paying tourists in 1997. This project monitors the demographics of 17 groups of Zanzibar red colobus (approximately 450 individuals, perhaps 20-30% of all remaining Zanzibar red colobus), provides training in primate conservation management for staff members of the Zanzibar Sub-Commission for Forestry, and compares the ecology, demography and behavior of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey in relation to differences in population density, and food quantity and quality per capita. Census data contributes to the monitoring program initiated in 1991 in Jozani Forest, the agricultural areas south of Jozani Forest, and Masingini Forest. Data on behavior of the Zanzibar red colobus is being collected from the subpopulations in Jozani Forest and the adjacent agricultural areas. These data will contribute to our understanding of the relationships between red colobus population densities and dynamics, behavioral ecology, social structure, and habitat type. This information is crucial for the development of effective conservation management plans for this highly endangered species.

Blackwood in Tanzania is a dark color timber. The East Indian Blackwood is from the tree. Most people will not have knowingly seen blackwood but almost everyone will have heard of it, for it is the premier wood of choice for fine concert-quality woodwind instruments such as clarinets, oboes and flutes, as well as being used in the manufacture of bagpipes. Blackwood is also the finest material available today for producing ornamental turning. In its African homeland, it is used to make intricate and highly detailed carvings, and plays a vital role in the ecology of the East African savannah. Despite its importance as a world timber, there have been few conservation efforts to replenish the species.

                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The animals in Tanzania are being endangered because people are keeping hunting them for international trade and there is large-scale timber extraction, much of it illegal. People are eating animals that are endangered, such as Zanzibar red colobus.

 

Birds
Approximately 585 bird species have been recognized in the hotspot. Twenty-two of these are endemic, and 24 are threatened. The Eastern Arc Mountains contain 2 endemic genera, Xenoperdix and Modulatrix. At least 8 species are restricted to single mountain ranges, including the Taita thrush (Turdus helleri) which is endemic to the Taita Hills of Kenya, and the rufous-winged sunbird (Nectarinia rufipennis) and the Udzungwa forest partidge (Xenoperdix udzungwensis) which are found only in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Within the coastal forests of the region, the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve maintains populations of 4 threatened species including Clarke's weaver (Ploceus golandi). The Sokoke Scops owl (Otus irenae) is another species from this hotspot that is threatened with extiction.

 

 

 

Conservation Science: Developing the knowledge necessary for conservation, including support for scientific surveys, taxonomic studies, and formal education.

 

 Law and Policy: Promoting legal efforts and policy changes to support biodiversity conservation.

 

 Sustainable Economic Development: Meeting economic and conservation needs by promoting sustainable use of natural resources and helping local people living in or near the hotspots to develop alternate economic patterns that do not destroy the biodiversity on which they depend for their livelihoods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-       GoGgLe

-       YaHoO