Sao Tome and Principe Photograph by UEA Sao Tome Expedition 1990   Islands of São Tomé and Príncipe of the coast of Equatorial Guinea Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   400 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) -- about half the size of Rhode Island Vulnerable

· Lush, Mountainous Islands
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Lush, Mountainous Islands

Located on a chain of inactive volcanoes rising from the Gulf of Guinea, the São Tomé and Príncipe Moist Lowland Forest ecoregion is home to many endemic plants and animals. Each of the three islands in this region harbors its own endemic plants and animals. In fact, the island of São Tomé alone is home to 16 endemic bird species and an entire endemic genus of plants. Both São Tomé and Príncipe are critically important areas for bird conservation because of the many bird species that depend solely on this ecoregion for their survival. And from the giant sunbird to the dwarf olive ibis, the birds in this ecoregion show amazing variations in size, a result of their isolated evolutionary history.

Special Features

The islands of this ecoregion are an offshore extension of the mainland Cameroon and Nigerian mountains. Because of its wet, tropical climate and fertile, volcanic soils, this ecoregion has been the site of many sugar estates as well as coffee and cocoa plantations. While much of the original forest was destroyed for these purposes, there has been significant forest regeneration in many areas. The plant and animal species found on these islands are evolutionary offspring of ancestors that migrated from the African mainland millions of years ago and evolved in isolation ever since.

	Dorhn’s thrush-babbler, a brown and white bird endemic to Príncipe, is a scientific mystery. At various times it has been classified by scientists as a babbler, flycatcher, thrush, and a warbler. More observation and study are needed to classify it correctly.

Wild Side

An abundance of beautiful ferns and orchids makes the São Tomé and Príncipe Moist Lowland Forests a treat to the senses. Colorful butterflies fill the skies, and the forests are bustling with a noisy chorus of endemic birds. The long, woven nests of giant sunbirds dangle from the ends of tree branches. This glossy black bird is the largest species of sunbird on São Tomé. São Tomé thrushes and black and white São Tomé spinetails are found on both islands. The spinetail inhabits abandoned plantations and forest clearings while the widespread thrush also inhabits primary forest. Endemic Thyrophorella thomensis snails slowly make their way across the forest floor, and are almost hidden among the leaves by their camouflage colors and patterns. This species of snail has an unusual "trap-door" opening on its hard, curved shell. At dusk, the darkened forests are teeming with bats feasting on succulent fruits.

Cause for Concern

Over the last two centuries, Portuguese colonists cleared much of this region’s forests for the production of sugar cane and other crops. Many areas are still used for growing cocoa and coffee. While there has been some forest regeneration in areas of abandoned plantations, the loss of forests for agriculture in this ecoregion is a continuing threat. Another growing threat is the introduction of exotic mammals such as the black rat, mona monkey, and African civet, which threaten native birds and reptiles by eating adults and eggs. Twenty-three bird species in this ecoregion are of high conservation concern. Among these is the African Gray Parrot, which is captured from the island of Príncipe for the international pet trade.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.