|
Table
of Contents:
Back to top
Overview
The
Eastern
Arc Mountains are a chain of ancient crystalline
mountains covering over 500,000 hectares that run from
Taita Hills in southern Kenya to the Makambako Gap to
the southwest of the Uzungwa Mountains in Tanzania.
These mountains are considered a separate group from
other nearby mountains such as the volcanic Mt. Kilimanjaro
because they are under the direct climatic influence
of the Indian Ocean. The mountain chain is a series
of isolated mountains that have been heavily covered
by forests. Covering these mountains are forests classified
as montane, submontane and lowland/foothills. The Eastern
Arc Mountains have been recognized by Conservation
International as one of the 24 globally important
hotspots for threatened biodiversity. Why? Because much
of the original forest has been converted to agricultural
crop production. Further, the mountains are also a major
source of hydropower, water and a vast array of forest
projects.
Back to top
Forest Monitoring in the Eastern Arc Mountains
In
1999, the US Forest Service began a two-year project consisting
of an evaluation of forest health, land-use change and
information sharing in the Eastern Arc Mountains. A
1997 conference held in Morogoro, Tanzania concluded
that the unique Eastern Arc Mountain ecosystem is undergoing
an accelerated rate of destruction, prompting the need
for documentation on forest health information and documentation.
Without this crucial data, neither land managers nor
policymakers can plan effective future actions.
The
objective of the two-year US Forest Service evaluation is to show the current
status and trend in forest condition through the use
of forest health monitoring and remote sensing technology
and techniques. The US Forest Service engaged in a number of activities
which included establishing permanent plots and using
remote sensing and special aerial and ground survey
techniques and the of training local individuals in
the use of forest health monitoring information. These
activities were considered fundamental if the region
hopes to maintain long-term data gathering. Through
a series of workshops, information exchanges, technical
on-site trainings and the establishment of an information
technology system, this two-year phase looks to provide
enough knowledge for the region to begin assessing and
outlining remedial actions.
Back to top
A)
Stakeholder Workshop
In
December 2000, a workshop in Kenya brought together
19 participants from 14 different organizations using
remote sensing and geospatial technologies. Objectives
of the meeting were to understand institutional priorities
and interests better, to provide clarity on threats
and conservation opportunities, and to build consensus
on the next steps in the region, including a framework
for potential partnerships in the use of remote sensing
and geospatial technologies. Institutional overviews
and priorities revealed strengths in experience and
understanding of the application of remote sensing for
resource monitoring and forest conservation, but gaps
in abilities to acquire and share imagery and data among
organizations, especially at the field level, were highlighted.
Each organization provided a paper describing their
experience in the use of remote sensing and current
capacities. These papers may be reviewed on the Eastern
Arc Mountain Project web page.
The
workshop concluded that although satellite imagery is
now available for parts of the Eastern Arc Mountains,
additional analysis is necessary for the remaining areas.
All institutions agreed on the need to improve communication
and coordination, and make the information and products
derived from remote sensing more readily available.
Strategic actions were proposed to address future land
cover classification and forest cover change detection.
These included discussions to increase collaboration
among the Arc Mountain Project cooperators with the
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development
and the UN
Food and Agriculture Organization's Africover Project.
A follow up meeting is planned in Nairobi on January
26 at the Centre.
Back to top
B)
Forest Monitoring Plot Development in Kenya
The
US Forest Service team organized a workshop on remote
sensing in the region devoted to monitoring forest cover
change. A December 2000 workshop "Remote Sensing for
the Determination of Forest Cover Change" brought together
19 participants from 14 major institutions, organizations
and programs using remote sensing and geospatial technologies
operating in Kenya and Tanzania. The focus of the workshop
was to promote an understanding of institutional priorities
and interests, provide clarity on threats and conservation
opportunities in the region, and build consensus on
strategic conservation actions.
The
only part of the Eastern Arc Mountain chain in Kenya
is the Taita Hills, located in the southern region of
Kenya. Recent analysis of Landsat TM satellite imagery
by the US Forest Service reveal the Taita Hills have experienced
a 37% loss of closed canopy mountain forest between
1987 and 1999, with only 284 hectares of original loss
remaining. Pressure for agricultural land resulted in
the destruction of most of the original forests. Only
a very small portion of the remaining land has any agricultural
potential and much of it lies in the higher altitudes
where the forests are found. The increase in human population
and its associated demands continue to place significant
pressure on these areas. This information was generated
in 1999, providing scientific evidence that can support
future strategies.
In
February 2000, US Forest Service experts established five forest health
monitoring plots in the Ngangoa forest of Taita Hills
area. The plots assessed vegetation classes and established
16 in 2001. Nine Kenyans have been certified in plot
establishment techniques. Forestry specialists from
the region will examine these plots every four years
Information on the status and trend of the ecosystem's
health will be determined by measuring several indicators
such as growth, crown condition, and damage indicators.
Employees from Kenyan government agencies, local universities
and conservation groups were trained in establishing
and monitoring permanent plots.
Back to top
C)
Forest Monitoring in Tanzania
The
US Forest Service reveals that its Landsat TM satellite
imagery in the Pare Mountains has indicated a 31% loss
of the closed canopy mountain forest. Seven monitoring
plots were established in conjunction with the Ministry
of Natural Resources and Tourism, Forestry and Beekeeping
Division in 2000: 3 in the East Usambara Mountains,
3 in the Uluguru Mountains and one in Zanzibar. In the
East Usambara Mountains, the three are located in the
Amani Nature Reserve. 12 more plots were established
and six Tanzanians have been certified in plot establishment
techniques in 2001.
Back to top
D)
Forest Monitoring Website Development
One
objective of the project's funding is to design and
implement an information technology system to improve
communications among those working in the Eastern Arc
Mountains and to demonstrate the capability and use
of these technologies. The University of Georgia has
created a web
site to provide detailed information on the project.
Back to top
|
