Misplaced Pages

#524475

46-572: The park's Afromontane habitats have one of the highest incidences of animal endemicity of any terrestrial habitat in the world. The park was nominated to the World Heritage Tentative List in 2009. Bale Mountains National Park is located in southeastern Ethiopia , 400 km southeast of Addis Ababa and 150 km east of Shashamene in the Oromia Region National State . The boundary of

92-579: A great threat to the Ethiopian wolf. Dogs transmit rabies and canine distemper, and in 2010 killed 106 individuals (approximately 40% of the Bale population of Ethiopian wolves). Other serious threats include the use of the wolf habitat by livestock for grazing which significantly reduces the availability of rodent prey. Over 12 million people, their livestock, and the environment in the south of Ethiopia as well as neighboring Somalia and northern Kenya rely on

138-462: A reduction in forest area, particularly in the high-elevation ericaceous belt, with most of the former forest area converted to grassland and pasture by regular burning. Agricultural land is concentrated at lower elevations, along the forest–savanna transition. The Ethiopian government has designated several areas of the forest as national forest priority areas, including Mena-Angetu National Forest Priority Area, which wraps around Bale National Park on

184-439: A vital role in climate control of the region by attracting large amounts of orographic rainfall, which has obvious implications for livestock and agricultural production. Some 600 - 1,000 mm fall annually in the lower altitude areas, while 1,000 - 1,400 mm fall in areas of higher altitude, and over 12 million people from Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia are dependent on water from the Bale massif. A total of 40 rivers rise in

230-544: Is Muslim (77%), followed by Orthodox Christian (20%) and Protestant (1%). The Bale Mountains are the true ancestral home of the Oromo, the largest single ethnic group in the Horn of Africa. Living as pastoralists and farmers, the population grew quite quickly and expanded to different corners of the country beginning in the 16th century. Little is known about the Oromo people of the area and how they came to be there. They are part of

276-496: Is a near-endemic. The tree genera Afrocrania , Balthasaria , Curtisia , Ficalhoa , Hagenia , Kiggelaria , Kuloa , Leucosidea , Platypterocarpus , Trichocladus , Widdringtonia , and Xymalos are Afromontane endemics or near-endemics, as are the plant genera Ardisiandra , Cincinnobotrys , and Stapfiella . Afromontane areas have a wide range of plant communities, including intermediate types. These include: In South Africa , Afromontane forests cover only 0.5% of

322-584: Is from 500 to 600 mm annually, with a distinct dry season. The predominant tree is the conifer Afrocarpus falcatus . Other canopy trees include Cassipourea malosana , Celtis africana , and Croton macrostachyus . Some trees are semi-deciduous, dropping leaves during the dry season. Wild coffee is a common shrub in the forest understory. Lower montane forests grow between 1900 and 2300 meters elevation. Middle montane forests occur between 2300 and 2800 meters. Upper montane forests, which include forests dominated by Hagenia abyssinica and extensive stands of

368-641: Is limited to the upper Harenna Forest and other nearby forests. Its diet consists mostly of Yushania alpina bamboo shoots. The Harenna shrew ( Crocidura harenna ) is endemic to the forest, and the Bale shrew ( Crocidura bottegoides ) is found only in the forest and the afroalpine grasslands of the Sanetti Plateau. The Harenna Forest is home to Ethiopia's only population of Harvey's duiker ( Cephalophus harveyi ). Forest lands in Ethiopia, including

414-715: Is native to the Ethiopian montane moorlands ecoregion in the park. The Afro-alpine moorlands of the Sanetti Plateau is the largest continuous area of its altitude on the entire continent of Africa. Carpeted in lichen covered rocks, and punctuated by Giant lobelia ( Lobelia rynchopetalum ) that grow to heights of up to 12 meters. The Plateau is also dotted with alpine lakes and streams, providing important resident wildlife resources, as well as wintering and passage stations for rare and regionally endemic birds. The Harenna Forest plant community makes up about half of

460-475: Is widely recognized that such uneven distribution of people and livestock leads to rapid and lasting degradation. The people are, therefore, likely to become increasingly food-aid dependent if the water catchment areas of the Bale Mountains are insufficiently protected. There is already evidence that over abstraction of water in the Bale Mountains is occurring. Furthermore, two rivers emanating from Bale,

506-932: The Abyssinian owl ( Asio abyssinicus ). Ethiopian rare endemic reptiles that are newly discovered in the Bale Mountains forested areas include Ethiopian House snake ( Lamprophis erlangeri ), Ethiopian mountain adder ( Bitis parviocula ), Bale two-horned chameleon ( Trioceros balebicornutus ), Harenna hornless chameleon ( Trioceros harennae ), Beardless Ethiopian montane chameleon ( Trioceros affinis ), and Wolfgang Böhme's Ethiopian Chameleon ( Trioceros wolfgangboehmei ). At least 7 species of endemic Amphibians are discovered in forested swampy areas and Bale Mountains National park plateaus. Ethiopian burrowing tree frog ( Leptopelis gramineus ), Erlanger's Grassland frog ( Ptychadena erlangeri ) and Neumann's Grassland frog ( Ptychadena neumanni ) are commonly rare within these habitats. However, other amphibians species lives within

SECTION 10

#1732772209525

552-680: The Afrotropical realm , one of the Earth's eight biogeographic realms , covering the plant and animal species found in the mountains of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula . The Afromontane regions of Africa are discontinuous, separated from each other by lower-lying areas, and are sometimes referred to as the Afromontane archipelago , as their distribution is analogous to a series of sky islands . Afromontane communities occur above 1,500–2,000 metres (4,900–6,600 ft) elevation near

598-694: The Bale Mountains vervet ( Chlorocebus djamdjamensis ). Other mammals of Bale Mountains National Park located in Harenna forest include the African golden wolf , Giant forest hog , Mantled guereza , lion , African leopard , and African wild dog . Almost one-third of the 47 mammals that live in BMNP are rodents . The rodent community, particularly of the Afro-alpine plateau are keystone species in

644-682: The Harenna Forest . Habitats of the Bale Mountains National Park range from grassland areas around 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) in elevation, to Mount Tullu Demtu , the second highest point in Ethiopia at 4,377 metres (14,360 ft) above sea level. Surrounded by East African pencil juniper ( Juniperus procera ) trees and St. John’s wort , waist-high wildflowers and grasses grow in the Northern Grasslands and Woodlands. Tree heath ( Erica arborea )

690-870: The Wabe Shebele and Yadot, (tributary of the Ganale ) have hydroelectric schemes. The dam on the Yadot River supplies electricity to Delo-Mena, while the dam on the Wabe Shebele provides electricity to the Bale area . Lastly, there are numerous natural mineral water springs, locally called horas, which provide an essential source of minerals for livestock. The mineral springs within the park are valued for their high mineral content ( sodium , potassium , magnesium , zinc , and calcium ), and local pastoralists believe that in order to maintain good health and milk production their livestock must be given hora water. They will drive their livestock for up to two days to reach

736-415: The big-headed African mole-rat . There are also several rare and endemic amphibians. Mammal species in the Bale Mountains National Park include Ethiopian wolf ( Canis simensis ), Mountain nyala ( Tragelaphus buxtoni ), big-headed African mole-rat , Menelik's bushbuck , common duiker , klipspringer , Bohor reedbuck , Ethiopian highland hare , honey badger , warthog , spotted hyena , serval , and

782-451: The BMNP area, contributing to five major rivers: the Web , Wabe Shebele , Welmel , Dumal and Ganale . Additionally, the Bale massif is the source for many springs in the lowlands, which are of paramount importance as they are the only source of water year-round. People living south of the national park are completely dependent on good management of the water resources from the highland areas. If

828-463: The BMNP lies within five woredas (districts): Adaba (west), Dinsho (north), Goba (northeast), Delo-Mena-Angetu and Harena-Buluk (southeast). The park area is encompassed within geographical coordinates of 6º29' – 7º10'N and 39º28' – 39º57'E. The Bale Mountains are part of the Bale-Arsi massif, which forms the western section of the southeastern Ethiopian Highlands . The Bale Mountains play

874-431: The Bale Mountains National Park. The Bale Mountains are home to over 282 species of birds, including nine of the 16 species endemic to Ethiopia. Furthermore, over 170 migratory birds have been recorded within the park. Bale Mountains National Park is home to almost every highland Abyssinian and Ethiopian endemic. With over 863 species of birds recorded, representing approximately 9.5% of the world's bird diversity and 39% of

920-707: The Congo , and Tanzania , and the Eastern Arc highlands of Kenya and Tanzania. Other Afromontane regions include the Drakensberg range of southern Africa, the Cameroon Highlands , and the Cameroon Line volcanoes, including Mount Cameroon , Bioko , and São Tomé . Although some Afromontane enclaves are widely separated, they share a similar mix of plant species which are often distinct from

966-498: The Harenna Forest is around 25 °C (77 °F). However, the weather changes frequently and sometimes drastically. In elevations over 3,000 meters, night frosts are common. The rainy season is from May until November. The park is divided into five distinct and unique habitats: the Northern Grasslands (Gaysay Valley), Northern Juniper Woodlands (Park Headquarters), Afro-alpine Meadows (Sanetti Plateau), Erica Moorlands, and

SECTION 20

#1732772209525

1012-548: The Harenna Forest, are government-owned. Bale Mountains National Park covers the central part of the forest. The portion of the forest outside the national park is managed by Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE), a branch of the Oromia Region government. OFWE organized forest management in the region into eight local units, and Harenna Forest has been managed by Bale Forest Enterprise since 2009. Forests are managed in partnership with local communities. Historically

1058-550: The areas of Bale Mountains such as Bale Mountain Frog ( Ericabatrachus baleensis ), Ethiopian banana frog ( Afrixalus enseticola ), Ragazzi's tree frog ( Leptopelis ragazzii ), Kouni Valley striped frog ( Paracassina kounhiensis ), Malcolm's Ethiopian toad ( Altiphrynoides malcolmi ), Osgood's Ethiopian toad ( Altiphrynoides osgoodi ), and Bale Mountains tree frog ( Balebreviceps hillmani ) are considered to be endangered because of habitat loss and deforestation. The people of

1104-470: The bamboo Yushania alpina , grow from 2800 to 3250 meters elevation. Subalpine heathland, dominated by the tree heath Erica arborea , extends from 3250 to 3500 meters elevation, and forms the transition between the forest and the high-elevation alpine moorlands of the Sanetti Plateau. The tree Gymnosporia harenensis is endemic to the forest, and is also classified by the IUCN as vulnerable due to

1150-515: The biggest threats to the park is grazing. For example, within the Web Valley, a prime Ethiopian wolf habitat, cattle density is estimated at 250 per square kilometer. Other threats include increasing settlements within the park. Currently, over 40,000 people live within the park's boundaries, increasing pressure on the natural resources of the area and diminishing natural habitats of wild animals. With these settlements come domestic dogs, which pose

1196-610: The bird species in Africa, Ethiopia is often considered one of the most avifaunal-rich countries in Africa. Sixteen of Bale's bird species are endemic to Ethiopia, including blue-winged goose ( Cyanochen cyanoptera ), spot-breasted lapwing ( Vanellus melanocephalus ), yellow-fronted parrot ( Poicephalus flavifrons ), Abyssinian longclaw ( Macronyx flavicollis ), Abyssinian catbird ( Parophasma galinieri ), Bale parisoma ( Parisoma griseiventris ), Ethiopian siskin ( Serinus nigriceps ), fawn-breasted waxbill ( Estrilda paludicola ), and

1242-576: The country's land area. The Afromontane forests occur along the mountainous arc of the Drakensberg Range, from Limpopo Province in the northeast to the Western Cape Province in the southwest. The Afromontane forests generally occur in well-watered areas, including ravines and south-facing slopes. The Afromontane forests are intolerant of fire, and the frequent fires of the surrounding fynbos , savanna , and grassland limit

1288-569: The eastern Cushitic people stemming from a branch of the Caucasoid race (which includes Western Asians, Arabs and Europeans), and are distributed from Wello in Ethiopia's north, to Mombasa in Kenya to the south. Some 3,000 years ago, they passed on practices such as the initiation ceremony of circumcision and the habit of not eating fish to Nilotic peoples in the West. Furthermore, they incorporated

1334-782: The equator, and as low as 300 metres (980 ft) elevation in the Knysna-Amatole montane forests of South Africa . Afromontane forests are generally cooler and more humid than the surrounding lowlands. The Afromontane archipelago mostly follows the East African Rift from the Red Sea to Zimbabwe , with the largest areas in the Ethiopian Highlands , the Albertine Rift Mountains of Uganda , Rwanda , Burundi , Democratic Republic of

1380-462: The expansion of the forests. Despite their small area, the Afromontane forests of South Africa produce valuable timber, particularly the real yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius) , Outeniqua yellowwood (Afrocarpus falcatus) , and stinkwood (Ocotea bullata) . Harenna Forest The Harenna Forest is a montane tropical evergreen forest in Ethiopia's Bale Mountains . The forest covers

1426-426: The flow of these rivers is altered in any way – through deforestation, overgrazing of pastures and/or over abstraction for irrigation (all of which are occurring at present) – a highland/lowland imbalance results with loss of perennial water in the lowlands. If such a situation arises, the dry season range of the people and their livestock reduces dramatically and they concentrate about whatever water source remains. It

Bale Mountains National Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

1472-547: The forest was thinly populated. Many people have migrated to and settled in Harenna Forest in recent decades. The greatest population growth was in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the population of Harena Buluk and Delo Menna woredas doubled. Population growth then slowed in the 2010s. New residents cleared areas of forest for coffee cultivation, pasture, and subsistence farming, mostly in Harena Buluk woreda. Comparison of Landsat satellite images from 1986 and 2006 found

1518-439: The forest, which also extends outside the park boundary. The forest has a montane tropical climate. There is a rainy season from March to October, and a dry season from November to March. The slopes between 2300 and 3000 meters elevation are often covered in dense mist, particularly during the wet season. Plant communities in the forest vary with elevation. Submontane forests occur from 1450 to 1900 meters elevation. Rainfall

1564-471: The hora springs. It is increasingly apparent, however, that the hora springs have become an excuse for local people to enter the park to gain access to better grazing areas. Temperatures vary widely throughout BMNP: on the plateau, daytime temperatures are usually around 10 °C (50 °F) with strong winds; in the Gaysay Valley average daytime temperatures are around 20 °C (68 °F), and

1610-610: The ideas of the Gadaa system and cattle husbandry into their own society. The Gadaa system is based on the principles of classifying a society into 11 functional grades, each of which has its special roles and statuses. Currently, people subsist mainly on agriculture. They follow a traditional transhumance system known as the Godantu system, a key feature of traditional human use of the Bale Mountains. In this system, livestock, particularly cattle, are sent to higher grazing grounds during

1656-410: The months when crops are growing in lower altitudes or into the forest for shade during the dry season. However, this should not be confused with the cattle movements that are a consequence of the loss of grazing land outside of the park, thus forcing cattle into the park to graze. Bale houses are circular in shape and locally referred to as “mana citaa”. Juniper and sometimes eucalyptus are used to make

1702-726: The mountains, known as the Sanetti Plateau , extends above 4000 meters elevation. The southern edge of the plateau drops in a steep escarpment , descending from 3800 to 2800 meters elevation. Below the escarpment the mountain slopes descend more gradually to the southern plains. The forest is in the upper watershed of the Ganale River , and is drained by its tributaries the Welmel , Weyib , and Dumale rivers. The forests cover an area of 3500 to 7000 km , between 39º15' to 40º 15' E Longitude and 6º 0' and 6º 45' N Latitude. The southern portion of Bale Mountains National Park protects part of

1748-409: The park boundary. The female flowers of hagenia contain anthelmintic , which is used to treat tapeworms among the local populations. The Bale Mountains National Park is an important area for several threatened Ethiopian endemic species . Additionally, the park holds 26% of Ethiopia's endemic species including one primate, one bovid, one hare, eight rodent species, and the entire global population of

1794-525: The park, a woodland of trees draped in moss and lichens that seem to drip off the branches. The area is frequently cloaked in fog, and wildlife is elusive. The forests of the Bale Mountains are important for genetic stocks of wild forest coffee ( Coffea arabica ) and for medicinal plants in Ethiopia. Three medicinal plant hotspots have been identified: two in the Gaysay area and one in the Angesu area, spanning

1840-461: The region are dominantly Oromo-speaking farmers and cattle herders. The population of the entire Bale Zone is approximately 1.5 million. Afan Oromo is the official language of Oromia . It belongs to the Cushitic languages , and serves as a sort of lingua franca for over 25 million Oromos. However, most people in Bale Mountains speak some Amharic . The predominant religion in the Bale Mountains

1886-518: The southern Bale Mountains sustains plant communities distinct from those of the adjacent lowlands, and from montane forests elsewhere in the Ethiopian Highlands. The Harenna Forest extends across the southern slope of the Bale Mountains. The forest covers portions of Goba , Delo Menna , Harena Buluk , and Meda Welabu woredas (districts) of Bale Zone , and Adaba woreda of West Arsi Zone in Oromia Region. The highest portion of

Bale Mountains National Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

1932-433: The southern slope of the mountains, extending from 1450 to 3200 meters elevation. The Bale Mountains are in Ethiopia's Oromia Region , and form the southwestern portion of the Ethiopian Highlands . It is one of the few remaining natural forests in the country, and the largest. The Harenna Forest is known for its native plants , mammals , amphibians and birds , including many endemic species. The montane climate of

1978-468: The surrounding lowland regions. Podocarps , of genera Podocarpus and Afrocarpus , are a characteristic tree, along with Prunus africana , Hagenia abyssinica , Juniperus procera , and Olea spp. . In the higher mountains, the Afromontane forest or woodland zone transitions to a higher Afroalpine zone of grasslands, shrublands, or moorlands. The plant families Curtisiaceae and Oliniaceae are Afromontane endemics and family Barbeyaceae

2024-465: The threat of logging. The Harenna Forest was once habitat to packs of the endangered painted hunting dog , Lycaon pictus . However, the presence of this canid is now in question here due to the population pressures of expanding human presence. The subalpine heathlands and alpine moorlands of the Sanetti Plateau are home to the largest population of the rare and endangered Ethiopian wolf . The Bale Mountains vervet ( Chlorocebus djamdjamensis )

2070-444: The walls and roof. The roof is covered with thatched grass cut from “citaa” (tussock grass) or stubble, especially barley, and supported by a wooden pillar, which stands in the middle of the floor. The house is divided into portions by walls made of bamboo or mud mixed with the stubble of barley or grass. Bale Mountains National Park is faced with many threats associated with an ever-developing and increasingly populated Ethiopia. One of

2116-428: The water that originates from the Bale massif. Unsustainable use and pollution are major threats. Conservationists suggest that if conservation efforts in the Bale Mountains are not successful and people continue to exploit the resources in an unsustainable way, more species of mammal would go extinct than in any other area of equivalent size on the planet. Afromontane The Afromontane regions are subregions of

#524475