Scientists have discovered hundreds of unique species in Africa's newly recognized ecoregion

After 20 years of biological investigations and more than 30 scientific expeditions, groundbreaking research in Southern Africa has uncovered a significant amount of previously undocumented biodiversity in a newly recognized ecoregion. About 100 experts from around the world participated in the study, and the findings are now published in the journal Scientific Reports. These discoveries are so significant that scientists around the world have officially proposed the area as a new ecoregion, the Southeast African Mountain Islands (SEAMA). These mountains stretch across northern Mozambique to Mount Muranger in Malawi, the second highest peak in southern Africa.

Over the past two decades, extensive research in southern Africa has uncovered a new ecoregion, the South East African Hill Islands (SEAMA), characterized by a unique biodiversity with many endemic species. The study, led by Professor Julian Bayliss and involving around 100 experts, highlighted the ecological significance of the region, the threats it faces, and the urgent need to protect its unique biodiversity. Image courtesy of Christophe Bernier

The study was led by Professor Julian Bayliss, a visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University and a staff member of Mozambique's National Network for Community Management of Natural Resources (ReGECom). The study documented 127 species of plants and 90 species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, butterflies, and freshwater crabs, all of which are endemic species (not found anywhere else on Earth).

Unique biodiversity and ecological importance

Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, these mountains have the largest (Mabul Mountains) and the smallest (Rico Mountains) of mid- to high-altitude rainforests in Southern Africa, as well as montane grasslands with unique biological characteristics.

Professor Bayliss, lead author of the study, said: "Ecoregions (ecoregions) are widely used to inform global conservation priorities. They define large areas of land or water, characterized by geographically distinct flora and fauna. New ecoregion definitions are very rare and are usually developed after years of research across a range of scientific disciplines. It took decades of international cooperation to gather enough evidence to define this ecoregion. We have documented hundreds of previously undescribed species, studying the genetic history of geology, climate, and ecosystems to piece together what makes these mountains unique. This new ecoregion will provide an important platform for the development of regional conservation plans."

Conservation challenges and efforts

Dr. Harith Farooq, a biologist at the University of Lulio in Mozambique, a co-author of the study, said there were many more species to be discovered. "This ecoregion is divided by small isolated areas such as rainforests, montane meadows and shrublands, each with its own unique but closely related flora and fauna," he explains. There's a lot more to discover, but many of these species may have gone extinct before we recorded them. "

Although the ecoregion has globally important biodiversity, it is seriously threatened. Since scientists began surveying 20 years ago, rainforests in mountainous areas have been reduced by one-fifth, and in some places by nearly half, making them one of the highest rates of deforestation in Africa. Globally, such places with high biodiversity and natural wilderness are increasingly scarce and threatened.

Some forests, such as the Mabul Hills, are effectively protected by local communities. Other forests, such as Mount Lico, are not under any real threat due to their inaccessibility. Much of the area lacks any form of formal protection, and the pressure comes from slash-and-burn, hunting, and fuel and timber needs.

Dr Gabriela Bittencourt, a postdoctoral researcher at the Natural History Museum in London, commented: "Our study highlights the need to protect this unique and understudied ecological region. Encouraging the conservation of the mountain archipelago of Eastern and Southern Africa is crucial, as it is clear that we are only beginning to understand the surface of this diverse region and consider how this knowledge can be applied to global biodiversity conservation efforts. "

Jose Monteiro, director and co-author of ReGeCom in Mozambique, said: "This is the beginning of a new chapter. Real efforts are now needed to reduce threats to this mountain ecoregion and effectively engage communities in leading conservation efforts, as was done at Mabul Hill. "

Dr. Phil Pratts, director of BeZero Carbon, a carbon rating agency that aims to help organizations make better climate decisions, and senior author of the paper, said: "These ecosystems lock up carbon, regulate water flows, and the species that live there are unique globally. Channeling national and international funding to support local communities to protect the climate and other benefits of the ecoregion will benefit all. "

Dr. Paul Smith, Secretary General of the International Botanic Gardens and Conservation Society, is one of the co-authors of the paper: "The biodiversity of the SEAMA Mountain Islands is of global importance, and we hope that this publication will help promote international support for conservation efforts in the region. "

Dr. Zakaria Magombo, Acting Director General of the National Herbarium and Botanical Gardens of Malawi and co-author, said: "As the ecozone straddles the border between Mozambique and Malawi, it also forms a transboundary zone, which opens the door to cross-border conservation activities between the two countries. "

Carl Bruessow, director and co-author of the Malawi Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust, said: "The new SEAMA ecoregion will drive a renewed commitment to conservation in Malawi and Mozambique. "

Dr. Hermenegildo Matimele, conservation scientist at the National Herbarium of Mozambique, is one of the co-authors of the book: "The distribution of biodiversity transcends political borders. Therefore, conservation measures that capture the natural patterns of biodiversity will be more effective than those that limit the potential of biodiversity through anthropogenic borders. SEAMA aims to facilitate participation among countries to work closely together in an effective manner to achieve common conservation goals. "

编译自:ScitechDaily