Nyika National Park, Malawi Photograph by Judy Oglethorpe   Southern Africa: Southern Tanzania into Malawi Montane Grasslands and Shrublands   12,900 square miles (33,500 square kilometers) -- about the size of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined Critical/Endangered

· Mountains of Flowers
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Mountains of Flowers

From December to May, local Tanzanians call the Kipengere Mountains Bustani ya Mungu, or "God’s garden." In addition to being a haven for animals, in season this ecoregion is blanketed with orchids, red-hot pokers, geraniums, asters, and other flowers.

Special Features

This ecoregion is linked with the three montane regions of eastern, central and southern Africa, which are scattered across the continent like archipelagos. All three converge in this ecoregion, which may account for the high floral diversity found here. Montane forest, bamboo, and grassland areas, often in a mosaic pattern, typify this ecoregion’s vegetation. This may even be an evolutionary center for several flower groups such as honey-peas and ground orchids. These and many other species are endemic.

	The Ngosi Volcano chameleon, also known as the flapjack chameleon, is a dwarf chameleon from Tanzania. Like the rudis chameleon, this is one of the smallest chameleon species, reaching only about eight inches (200 mm) in length.

Wild Side

Interestingly, several of this ecoregion’s animals have similar dark coloration. For example, the deep brown elephant shrew, a melanic lark, and the black and red bush squirrel are all dark in color with bright red limbs, faces, and tails. The Poroto Mountain chameleon and the Ngosi Volcano chameleon are two of the reptiles found here. Resident birds include the Tanzanian mountain weaver, green-throated greenbul, Kipengere seedeater, buff-shouldered widowbird, and black-lored cisticola. Amphibians include the Poroto Mountain screeching frog.

Cause for Concern

Forest habitat has been lost mainly through clearing for agriculture. These wet mountains offer better prospects for agriculture, especially for tea estates, than the surrounding lowlands. Fire is also a factor in the loss of forest habitats. Humans have started fires here for thousands of years, which has led to the current mosaic patter of forests and grasslands.

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