The Eastern African Coastal Forests

The Eastern African Coastal Forests are located in Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, along the Indian Ocean coastline. The WWF divides this stretch into Northern and Southern Zanzibar-Inhambane Coastal Forest. The Northern forest spans Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania. It is mix of dry forest types and has a tropical climate.

These forests are classed as biodiversity hotspots by Conservation International, which mean they:

• Have at least 1500 vascular plants that are endemic (are not found anywhere else in the world)

• Have less than 30% of their original vegetation

The Eastern African Coastal Forests have the lowest remaining percentage of original vegetation of the African hotspots, and the third lowest globally. However, despite the decrease in vegetation coverage, these forests remain highly biodiverse, accounting for more than 50% of endangered forest-dependent flora in Kenya. The Eastern African Coastal Forests contain over 4050 vascular plant species, of which 43% are endemic. If these species disappear, they are irreplaceable as they cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The Eastern African Coastal Forests are considered ‘relics’ (see here: https://www.theleafcharity.com/the-relics) and a ‘vanishing refuge’ as endemic species disappear due to human or climatic influence (Burgess et al., 2008). The Eastern African Coastal Forests have been given a rating of ‘critical/endangered’ by the WWF, and it is predicted that by 2050 they will lose all their endemic flora if nothing is done.

There are several main threats to this forest, all resulting in fragmentation – creating small patches of isolated, unconnected forest. There are currently over 200 small patches, separated by farmland, urban areas, and the occasional quarry. Land-use change is a huge threat globally, and the Eastern African Coastal Forests are no exception, with an estimated 60% of forest habitat converted to agricultural land and urban areas. Agriculture is still the biggest industry in Kenya and is the main source of income for the majority of the population. However, this area of Africa is experiencing rapid rise in population and has a relatively high population density with a few large towns. This leads to deforestation for the extraction of woody materials for rope, charcoal, and firewood. In tourist areas timber is in high demand to build hotels and attractions. Mining is also on the rise, with Kenya more mineral-rich than previously considered and a government-backed 20-year plan which could see up to 20 new mines. These factors combined have led to only 10% of the remaining vegetation being classed as ‘pristine’. 

Several charities, including LEAF, have recognised the Eastern African Coastal Forests as a site of extreme importance. These species are irreplaceable. Very few areas are protected, with much of the habitat type falling within these areas as savannah grassland, rather than forest. There are several conservation projects underway, sponsored by international organisations such as the EU and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and individual countries. Many of these projects focus on improving awareness and increasing knowledge of the area to inform policymakers. LEAF is working with Pwani University and the Kijabe Forest Trust to replant trees and build local knowledge and understanding. You can read about these individual projects here: Kijabe: https://www.theleafcharity.com/kijabe-kenya  Pwani: https://www.theleafcharity.com/pwani 

This area is one of the most threatened in the world, and one of the least well-known. If nothing is done to preserve and rebuild this habitat, many keystone species will be lost forever. 

This area is one of the most threatened in the world, and one of the least well-known. If nothing is done to preserve and rebuild this habitat, many keystone species will be lost forever. 

You can read more about the Eastern African Coastal Forests here:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/at0125 

https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/coastal-forests-eastern-africa 

https://news.mongabay.com/2016/11/nations-come-together-to-save-kenyas-disappearing-coastal-forests/ 

https://www.conservation.org/priorities/biodiversity-hotspots 

https://d1qkbvpvihpfr5.cloudfront.net/downloads/wwf_cea_ni_species_report_final.pdf