Afromontane forests in Angola

Afromontane forests are the most localised and threatened habitat of Angola, being restricted to narrow gorges and steep mountain valleys of the country’s highest peaks (Huntley & Matos 1994). Together with the sub-tropical forests of the central Angolan escarpment, Afromontane forests constitute the most important habitats of the Western Angola Endemic Bird Area (EBA; Collar and Stuart 1988), a ‘Critical’ priority for global bird conservation (Stattersfield et al. 1998).

In Angola, Afromontane forest occurs in a few isolated patches in the high lying areas of the provinces of Huambo, Benguela, Cuanza Sul and Huila. It is thought that the total area covered by these forests may be less than 200 ha (Huntley 1974, Dean 2000). Associated with these montane Angolan forests, and other montane habitats, is a unique suite of birds, including four range-restricted species, namely Swierstra's Francolin Pternistis swierstrai (Vulnerable), Angola Cave Chat Xenocopsychus ansorgei (Near-Threatened), Angola Slaty Flycatcher Dioptrornis brunneus and Ludwig's Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris ludovicensis.

Angola ’s best remaining examples of Afromontane forest are reported to occur at the proposed Mount Moco Special Reserve, Huambo province.

Afromontane forest at Mount Moco

Based on information from field surveys and satellite imagery from Google Earth imagery, we know there are currently (in 2004) 30 forest patches larger than 0.5 ha at Mount Moco.

There is little comparable information to assess how quickly forest patch sizes are being reduced. Huntley (1974) estimated at least 15 patches between 1 and 20 ha in size, comparable to the 20 patches currently. However, there are currently only five patches >5 ha, and only one patch >10 ha. The total forest area in patches >0.5 ha at Mount Moco is c. 85 ha.

It is important to note that all patches, due to their long narrow shapes, have a small area-to-edge ratio, making them more susceptible to human impacts.

In addition, all forests inspected visually in 2009 showed signs of human disturbance, including logging of large trees, and evidence of fire penetrating into the forest under-storey.