Understanding the threats to biodiversity and the obstacles to effective conservation in the Southern Highlands.
Forest fire images coming soon
The spread of highly fire-sensitive eucalyptus and pine plantations has radically altered the fire regime in the Southern Highlands landscape [citation:4].
Studies reveal that the underlying driving forces of forest fires are related to ambiguous and conflicting social processes in land management [citation:4].
While smallholder farmers, urban-based investors, large forest companies, and other actors share a common interest in mitigating destructive forest fires, ambiguity exists in how to manage these fires. This results in a scenario where both interest in and resources for firefighting are limited [citation:4].
Researchers encourage the co-creation of well-defined, transparent village fire management committees and village fire funds to ensure localized and efficient fire management [citation:4].
Expedition focus: We will assess current fire management practices and explore opportunities to support village fire committees.
Habitat fragmentation images coming soon
The Rungwe-Kitulo kipunji population is highly fragmented, with isolated sub-populations in degraded habitat [citation:3].
Farms push right up against forest edges, threatening to sever ecosystems and isolate wildlife groups [citation:9]. The Ndundulu kipunji population may no longer be viable due to its small size and isolation [citation:3].
"The Ndundulu population may no longer be viable and the Rungwe-Kitulo population is highly fragmented, with isolated sub-populations in degraded habitat."
â First kipunji census assessment [citation:3]
Human-wildlife conflict images coming soon
In villages like Kashela, Kibaoni, Kizi, and Sitalike, daily life can be disrupted by nocturnal elephant crop-raiding. In some areas, crop-raiding has risen sharply, threatening livelihoods and safety [citation:2].
Though generally shy, kipunji will loiter at the forest edge and opportunistically raid crops. In response, farmers historically laid crude but lethal log traps [citation:9].
Avocado rush images coming soon
The Southern Highlands has seen a swift expansion of commercial tree growing since the early 2000s. However, the economic viability of private forest plantations has sharply declined, giving rise to an "avocado rush" [citation:7].
The high global market value, high price of avocado fruits, and relatively shorter harvest time (3-4 years, compared to 10-20 years for timber) are driving the avocado rush [citation:7].
UNEP-supported research is examining land use change near Njombe and its connection to ecosystem services changes, including water quality, food production, and impacts to wildlife, biodiversity, and carbon storage [citation:10].
Poaching prevention images coming soon
Habitat degradation caused by tree felling for timber and charcoal making, along with snares set by hunters in the forest, pose serious threats to wildlife [citation:9].
Through holistic conservation efforts, signs of human activity fell by 81%, with a100% and 98% reduction in the number of charcoal pits and timber felling, respectively, in Mount Rungwe [citation:6].
Regular removal of snares from forest areas has been a key activity [citation:9].
Expedition focus: We will assess current poaching pressures and document the effectiveness of ongoing anti-poaching efforts.
During the expedition, we will document and assess:
Current practices, village committees, and support needs [citation:4]
Population status, threats, and ongoing protection [citation:6]
Coexistence strategies and effectiveness [citation:2]
Wildlife corridor status and pressures [citation:2]
Key question: Are there further conservation concerns which need attention or solution? We will document challenges and opportunities to inform future conservation investments.