The 144 km2Moribane Forest Reserve (Portuguese: Reserva Florestal de Moribane) which was proclaimed in 1957,[1] is a natural forest in the buffer zone of the 640 km2Chimanimani National Reserve, and is situated 24 km north of Dombé, in Sussundenga District of central Mozambique.[2] The mid to low-altitude tropical rain forest covers hilly country, from 400 to 550 metres in altitude,[3] on the eastern verges of the largest southern African forest of this type, altogether 820 km2 in extent.[3] It can be reached using public transport from Sussundenga.[2]
Müller et al. (2005) described two main vegetation types, namely a) moist, evergreen forest dominated by Forest newtonia(Newtonia buchananii), Chirinda stinkwood(Celtis mildbraedii), Forest ordeal tree(Erythrophleum suaveolens), and Panga-panga(Millettia stuhlmannii), and b) transitional forest on the northern verge of the forest, where the predominant species were Winged bersama(Bersama abyssinica), Panga-panga, Two-winged pteleopsis (Pteliopsis myrtifolia), Toad-tree(Tabernaemontana elegans), and Bushveld bitterwood (Xylopia longipetala).[3]
Moribane forest was intensively exploited from the early 20th century onwards, initially for natural rubber derived from Rubber vine, and subsequently for its native timber species, namely Red mahogany, Iroko and Panga-panga. As the 21st century approached, it was damaged by wildfires and shifting agriculture.[3] Despite past overexploitation, the widespread occurrence of saplings of Stem-fruit miraculous-berry, Forest newtonia, Iroko, Panga-panga and Forest ordeal tree, gives reason for hope that it will naturally regenerate.[3]Renamo had a stronghold in the area during the Mozambican Civil War. By the end of the war in 1992 the forest was largely intact, but its Bush elephant population was reduced.[4] While the local people had earlier observed taboos on hunting of elephant, they now had concerns about the recovering elephant population. Chief Mpunga argued that the relation between elephants and humans was spiritual, and people subsequently moved out of the area frequented by the elephants.[4]
Facilitiesedit
Ndzou (i.e. Elephant) camp is a joint venture between Eco-Micaia and the local community,[2] which offers guided walks, and a chance of tracking of the shy, forest-living Bush elephants with a local guide. A number of forest trails can be taken from Ndzou camp or Mpunga ranger camp, varying from 4 to 12 km in length.[5] The Mpunga ranger camp, located 3 km to the south of Ndzou, caters only for visitors who bring their own tents and camping gear, and who are self-sufficient in terms of food.[1] Ndzou has thatched rondavels, tents, a three-bedroom house, restaurant and bar.[1]
^ abcdBriggs, Philip (2014). Mozambique. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 222. ISBN1841624969.
^ abcFitzpatrick, Mary (2010). Mozambique (3 ed.). Footscray, Vic.: Lonely Planet. p. 114. ISBN1741048885.
^ abcdeMonteiro, José; Dondeyne, Stefaan; Wursten, Bart; Bannerman, James; Meilby, Henrik; Sitoe, Almeida (December 2011). "Vegetation composition of natural gaps in Moribane forest (Mozambique)" (PDF). African Journal of Ecology. 49 (4): 510–514. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.2011.01281.x. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
^ abDavis, Ian; Corsane, Gerard; Davis, Peter (2014). Making sense of place: multidisciplinary perspectives (Volume 7 of Heritage Matters ed.). Boydell & Brewer Ltd. p. 297. ISBN1843838990.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Kingman, Andrew (2 April 2013). . clubofmozambique.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
External linksedit
Photo of Moribane Forest, S Dondeyne, 2009, Panoramio
Plant records, Moribane forest, Flora of Mozambique
moribane, forest, reserve, portuguese, reserva, florestal, moribane, which, proclaimed, 1957, natural, forest, buffer, zone, chimanimani, national, reserve, situated, north, dombé, sussundenga, district, central, mozambique, altitude, tropical, rain, forest, c. The 144 km2 Moribane Forest Reserve Portuguese Reserva Florestal de Moribane which was proclaimed in 1957 1 is a natural forest in the buffer zone of the 640 km2 Chimanimani National Reserve and is situated 24 km north of Dombe in Sussundenga District of central Mozambique 2 The mid to low altitude tropical rain forest covers hilly country from 400 to 550 metres in altitude 3 on the eastern verges of the largest southern African forest of this type altogether 820 km2 in extent 3 It can be reached using public transport from Sussundenga 2 View of the forest Contents 1 Flora and fauna 1 1 Flora 1 2 Fauna 2 History 3 Facilities 4 Site locations 5 References 6 External linksFlora and fauna edit nbsp nbsp class notpageimage Location of the forest in Manica Province Mozambique Flora edit nbsp Buchwa bamboo at Tava marsh in Moribane forestMuller et al 2005 described two main vegetation types namely a moist evergreen forest dominated by Forest newtonia Newtonia buchananii Chirinda stinkwood Celtis mildbraedii Forest ordeal tree Erythrophleum suaveolens and Panga panga Millettia stuhlmannii and b transitional forest on the northern verge of the forest where the predominant species were Winged bersama Bersama abyssinica Panga panga Two winged pteleopsis Pteliopsis myrtifolia Toad tree Tabernaemontana elegans and Bushveld bitterwood Xylopia longipetala 3 Fauna edit Native mammals include Bush elephant Bushbuck Red duiker Samango monkey Bushpig and several species of small carnivore 1 History editMoribane forest was intensively exploited from the early 20th century onwards initially for natural rubber derived from Rubber vine and subsequently for its native timber species namely Red mahogany Iroko and Panga panga As the 21st century approached it was damaged by wildfires and shifting agriculture 3 Despite past overexploitation the widespread occurrence of saplings of Stem fruit miraculous berry Forest newtonia Iroko Panga panga and Forest ordeal tree gives reason for hope that it will naturally regenerate 3 Renamo had a stronghold in the area during the Mozambican Civil War By the end of the war in 1992 the forest was largely intact but its Bush elephant population was reduced 4 While the local people had earlier observed taboos on hunting of elephant they now had concerns about the recovering elephant population Chief Mpunga argued that the relation between elephants and humans was spiritual and people subsequently moved out of the area frequented by the elephants 4 Facilities editNdzou i e Elephant camp is a joint venture between Eco Micaia and the local community 2 which offers guided walks and a chance of tracking of the shy forest living Bush elephants with a local guide A number of forest trails can be taken from Ndzou camp or Mpunga ranger camp varying from 4 to 12 km in length 5 The Mpunga ranger camp located 3 km to the south of Ndzou caters only for visitors who bring their own tents and camping gear and who are self sufficient in terms of food 1 Ndzou has thatched rondavels tents a three bedroom house restaurant and bar 1 Site locations editMap all coordinates using OpenStreetMap Download coordinates as KML GPX all coordinates GPX primary coordinates GPX secondary coordinates Moribane forest track 19 44 30 S 33 19 20 E 19 74167 S 33 32222 E 19 74167 33 32222 Forest track Mt Chinhaunguri 19 44 17 S 33 22 38 E 19 73806 S 33 37722 E 19 73806 33 37722 Mt Chinhaunguri Mpunga ranger amp community camp 19 44 36 S 33 21 22 E 19 74333 S 33 35611 E 19 74333 33 35611 Mpunga camp Mpunga Chinda Zinguena communities 19 42 42 S 33 24 33 E 19 71167 S 33 40917 E 19 71167 33 40917 Local communities Ndzou camp 19 44 01 S 33 20 15 E 19 73361 S 33 33750 E 19 73361 33 33750 Ndzou camp Picada da dona Candida track 19 45 45 S 33 18 44 E 19 76250 S 33 31222 E 19 76250 33 31222 Picada da dona Candida Ponta de Deus 19 43 27 S 33 20 19 E 19 72417 S 33 33861 E 19 72417 33 33861 Ponta de Deus Tava marsh 19 44 50 S 33 18 43 E 19 74722 S 33 31194 E 19 74722 33 31194 Tava marsh References edit a b c d Briggs Philip 2014 Mozambique Bradt Travel Guides p 222 ISBN 1841624969 a b c Fitzpatrick Mary 2010 Mozambique 3 ed Footscray Vic Lonely Planet p 114 ISBN 1741048885 a b c d e Monteiro Jose Dondeyne Stefaan Wursten Bart Bannerman James Meilby Henrik Sitoe Almeida December 2011 Vegetation composition of natural gaps in Moribane forest Mozambique PDF African Journal of Ecology 49 4 510 514 doi 10 1111 j 1365 2028 2011 01281 x Retrieved 2 December 2014 a b Davis Ian Corsane Gerard Davis Peter 2014 Making sense of place multidisciplinary perspectives Volume 7 of Heritage Matters ed Boydell amp Brewer Ltd p 297 ISBN 1843838990 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Kingman Andrew 2 April 2013 Discover the secrets of the forest at Ndzou Camp in Manica Province clubofmozambique com Archived from the original on 21 April 2013 Retrieved 1 December 2014 External links editPhoto of Moribane Forest S Dondeyne 2009 Panoramio Plant records Moribane forest Flora of Mozambique19 46 52 S 33 18 08 E 19 78111 S 33 30222 E 19 78111 33 30222 Moribane Forest Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Moribane Forest Reserve amp oldid 1054072938, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
