Discovering the South East Africa Montane Archipelago: A Rich Ecoregion of Endemic Species

Thursday - April 11 2024, 21:50 UTC - 9 months ago

After two decades of research and international collaboration, the South East Africa Montane Archipelago has been officially recognized as a new ecoregion due to its abundance of previously undocumented biodiversity. With 127 plant species and 90 endemic species of animals, this ecoregion is under severe threat from deforestation and other human activities. Urgent action is needed to protect this unique and valuable area for future generations.

The South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA) is a newly recognized ecoregion located in southern Africa. This area has recently been the subject of groundbreaking research and biological surveys, leading to the discovery of a wealth of previously undocumented biodiversity. After two decades of scientific expeditions involving around 100 specialists from around the world, the research results have now been published in the journal Scientific Reports.

The SEAMA ecoregion is characterized by its rich diversity of flora and fauna, with 127 plant species and 90 species of endemic amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, butterflies, and freshwater crabs. These species are found nowhere else on Earth, making the SEAMA ecoregion a truly unique and invaluable location for scientific research and conservation efforts. The area stretches across northern Mozambique to Mount Mulanje, the second-highest mountain in southern Africa, making it a significant attraction for researchers and conservationists alike.

Led by Professor Julian Bayliss, a Visiting Professor at Oxford Brookes University and a member of the National Network for Community Management of Natural Resources in Mozambique, the study has officially proposed the SEAMA ecoregion as a new ecological region. It took decades of international collaboration and research in various scientific disciplines to gather enough evidence to define the ecoregion. This new designation provides an important platform from which to develop regional conservation initiatives and promote further research.

According to Professor Bayliss, the ecoregion has both the largest and smallest mid-elevation rainforests in southern Africa, as well as unique montane grasslands. These mountains were formed hundreds of millions of years ago, and their ancient ecosystems are home to an abundance of rare and endemic species. However, the SEAMA ecoregion is under severe threat from deforestation and other anthropogenic activities. Since the beginning of the scientific surveys approximately 20 years ago, the mountains have lost a fifth of their rainforest extent, and in some cases, nearly half. This alarming rate of deforestation is one of the highest in Africa and poses a significant risk to the ecoregion's biodiversity and natural wilderness.

Dr Harith Farooq, a biologist from the University of Lúrio in Mozambique and co-author of the study, highlights the ecoregion's fragmented nature. The SEAMA ecoregion is made up of small, isolated pockets of rainforest, grasslands, and shrublands, each with their own unique but distantly related species. Despite the discovery of 90 endemic species, there are many more waiting to be discovered. However, with the continued threat of deforestation and other human impacts, these species may face extinction before they can even be recorded. It is clear that urgent action is needed to protect the SEAMA ecoregion's rich biodiversity and vulnerable ecosystems from further harm.

In conclusion, the newly designated South East Africa Montane Archipelago ecoregion is a treasure trove of endemic species and unique ecosystems. Thanks to the groundbreaking research and tireless efforts of around 100 specialists, this area has finally received the recognition and protection it deserves. However, with the increasing threats of deforestation and climate change, it is crucial that conservation initiatives and measures are implemented to safeguard the SEAMA ecoregion for future generations.