Submontane Forest Research Articles

Bryophytes of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (West Central Africa) VII. New records and range extensions of liverworts from Río Muni

Río Muni (Muni region) is the continental and largest part of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, extending over 26000 of its 28000 km2, placed between Cameroon and Gabon. The territory is quite homogeneous from a vegetation point of view: 99% of the area is covered by forest, around 20% of which is still primary. The lowland rainforest is most typical; only on the most mountainous areas is a less dense submontane forest developed. The current knowledge of the Río Muni bryoflora is still poor: 181 taxa (107 liverworts and 74 mosses) have been recorded so far. Data on 19 liverwort species in the families Cephaloziellaceae, Frullaniaceae, Lejeuneaceae, Lepidoziaceae, Metzgeriaceae and Porellaceae are offered. Six of them are new additions for the country of Equatorial Guinea, and seven are new for the Muni region (Río Muni). For each species, geographical distribution, altitudinal range, ecological information and accompanying bryophyte species are given.

Trichoglottis longifolia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Vandeae: Aeridinae), a new species from Sri Lanka

Trichoglottis longifolia Atthan., C. Bandara, N.L. Bandara & Kumar sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a new species from Sri Lanka. So far, the genus was represented by a single species in Sri Lanka, Trichoglottis tenera. The new species can be easily distinguished from T. tenera in having longer leaves, yellowish-green flowers with lanceolate dorsal sepal and petals and a longer spur. This species occurs in sub-montane forests in Sabaragamuwa Province and categorized as Endangered based on the available data.

A machine learning approach to mapping canopy gaps in an indigenous tropical submontane forest using WorldView-3 multispectral satellite imagery

SummarySelective logging in tropical forests may lead to deforestation and forest degradation, so accurate mapping of it will assist in forest restoration, among other ecological applications. This study aimed to track canopy tree loss due to illegal logging of the important hardwood tree Ocotea usambarensis in a closed-canopy submontane tropical forest by evaluating the mapping potential of the very-high-resolution WorldView-3 multispectral dataset using random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) with radial basis function kernel classifiers. The results show average overall accuracies of 92.3 ± 2.6% and 94.0 ± 2.1% for the RF and SVM models, respectively. Average kappa coefficients were 0.88 ± 0.03 for RF and 0.90 ± 0.02 for SVM. The user’s and producer’s accuracies for both classifiers were in the range of 84–100%. This study further indicates that vegetation indices derived from bands 5 and 6 helped detect canopy gaps in the study area. Both variable importance measurement in the RF algorithm and pairwise feature selection proved useful in identifying the most pertinent variables in the classification of canopy gaps. These findings could allow forest managers to improve methods of detecting canopy gaps at larger scales using remote sensing data and relatively little additional fieldwork.

Revision of the A. delicata group of Afriodinia d’Abrera, 2009 (Papilionoidea: Riodinidae) with the description of a new species from Mount Lico, Northern Mozambique, and the reinstatement of a species

This paper describes a new species of Afriodinia from Mount Lico in northern Mozambique, and revises the Afriodinia delicata (Lathy, 1901) group, reinstating Afriodinia zanzibarica (Collins, 1990) as a result. The new species from Mount Lico is a member of the ‘white-banded’ group of Afriodinia, which are generally found in sub-montane forest and forest edge. This is also the first record of this genus from Mozambique. Afriodinia delicata has previously been recorded from Mount Mulanje in southern Malawi, approximately 200 km away from Mount Lico, however no specimens of this genus have been recorded from the mountains in-between despite numerous butterfly surveys over the last 15 years. A morphological analysis and dissection of the genitalia highlight significant differences between A. delicata, A. zanzibarica, and Afriodinia lico sp. nov. The primary character that clearly distinguishes Afriodinia lico sp. nov. from all other species is the unique form of the aedeagus. Evidence suggests that A. lico sp. nov diverged relatively recently, very approximately between 14k to 135k years ago. The new species from Mount Lico was collected on the forest edge at 1000m over the course of a two-week scientific expedition in May 2018 to survey this mountain in northern Mozambique.

A new species of Iolaus Hübner, [1819] (Papilionoidea: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) in the subgenus Argiolaus Druce, 1891 from Kenya

A new species in the genus Iolaus (Papilionoidea, Lycaenidae, Theclinae) is described from the Gatamaiyu Forest, Aberdare Mountains, Central Highlands, Kenya. Morphologically, I. gatamaiyu sp. n. is similar to I. manasei Libert, 1993, a species of submontane forests of the Cameroon Highlands, which has very different male genitalia. The male genitalia of the new species are similar to those of I. crawshayi crawshayi Butler, 1897, I. crawshayi littoralis Stempffer & Bennett, 1958 and particularly to those of I. crawshayi maureli Dufrane, 1954. All these subspecies of I. crawshayi, however, are morphologically and ecologically distinct. The subgeneric placement of I. manasei is also briefly discussed.

Phenology of flowering and fruiting of Calliandra (Calliandra spp.) species in submontane forest, Indonesia

The phenology of flowering and fruiting by predicting the correct timing of flowering and fruiting can be the basis of a national park area management strategy in controlling invasive alien species such as Calliandra (Calliandra sp.). The research was conducted from June - September 2020 to determine the phase and phenology of flowering and fruiting of red Calliandra (C. calothyrsus) and white Calliandra (C. portoricensis). Direct field observations using purposive sampling method with characteristics of trees in a state of flowering based on the four cardinal directions and altitude, the analysis used is the average difference test or t test. The results showed the phenological period for red Calliandra (C. calothyrsus) was 97–125 days and white Calliandra (C. portoricensis) 72–101 days which occurred in June - September. Red Calliandra phenological periods (C.calothyrsus) and white Calliandra (C.portoricensis) were not significantly different between the variable direction (0.912 and 0.707) and variable heights (0.924 and 0.800). Therefore, Calliandra (Calliandra sp) can growth at an altitude up to 1.700 meters above sea level and is also able to adapt to shade through avoidance and tolerance mechanisms.

Ant Diversity Declines with Increasing Elevation along the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania

Biodiversity patterns along elevational gradients are generally characterised by monotonic decreases or mid-elevational peaks in species richness, while elevational zones may be characterised by distinct assemblages, or higher zones may be subsets of lowland assemblages. Elevational gradients in diversity have been less studied in the Afrotropical region. This study documents ant diversity patterns in three forest types associated with the tropical mountains of Udzungwa; we hypothesise that: (1) ant diversity and activity will show a monotonic decrease from mid-elevation with increasing elevation and (2) that forests associated with different elevations will have a distinct ant assemblage. Pitfall traps were deployed at three targeted elevations (650–800, 800–1400, and 1400–1500 m a.s.l.). Ant species richness declined with increasing elevation from 650 m a.s.l. and formed three elevational assemblages with lower elevation forests having almost twice as many species as sub-montane forests and three times as many as that of the montane forests. In contrast, overall ant activity peaked at 800–1400 m a.s.l. The ant assemblages associated with the lower elevation forest were very distinct, while assemblages associated with the sub-montane and montane forests shared species. Our study reveals valuable and relevant information for biodiversity monitoring and conservation planning as the species associated with each forest type may be used as indicator species for assessing biodiversity responses to climate change and anthropogenic activities on these mountains.

The hidden diversity and inland radiation of Sri Lanka’s ground-dwelling geckos of the genus Cyrtodactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae)

The genus Cyrtodactylus has recently been classified phylogenetically into several clades, subclades, groups, and some into Sri Lankan Cyrtodactylus. Certain complexes from the Indian subcontinent have been assigned to the “C. triedrus group”. This group is comprised of medium-sized species (SVL 50.6–105.7 mm) and are composed of five major species complexes: fraenatus, triedrus, deccanensis, jeyporensis, and collegalensis. Among these complexes, the latter four are composed of ground and litter dwelling species, which were previously assigned to the genus Geckoella; and is currently being treated as a subgenus. Cyrtodactylus triedrus, an endemic species of Sri Lanka, has long been considered a widely distributed single species in this part of the world. Based on morphological and phylogenetic evidences, we demonstrate that C. (G.) triedrus is not a single species, but a species complex. We also describe a new species that is restricted to intermediate savanna-mixed dry lowland forested habitats. Furthermore, we resurrect Geckoella punctata, assign it to the genus Cyrtodactylus and designate a lectotype that we redescribe. The genetic divergence across species of the C. triedrus clade varies between 11–26% in the studied fragment of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene. The molecular phylogeny of the ground dwelling radiation of the subgenus Geckoella indicates deep splits between the Indian species and Sri Lankan endemic C. (G.) triedrus sensu stricto, and between Indian dry and wet zone clades. Cyrtodactylus (G.). triedrus is restricted to the moist or submontane forests in the Central highlands of Sri Lanka and is redescribed herein based on its holotype. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank:org:pub:3B37037C-EE9F-4011-BEC9-47E1F3BB6779

Roles of Heterogeneous Habitat for Conservation of Nymphalidae in Sarawak (East Malaysia)

Species diversity characterises an area or a targeted habitat and provides information on the species assemblages, which is a primary reflection of habitat diversity. It incorporates both species richness and abundance and may rely on factors, such as host-plant availability and food resources. Kubah National Park is a lowland mixed dipterocarp forest, and uniquely offers various vegetation types, which includes heath and submontane forests. In the present study, four contrasting forest habitats were selected along forest trails, namely, primary forests, secondary forests, heath forests and forest edges. Forty baited traps were used within a six-months of sampling period. The highest abundance was recorded at the heath forest while the least was at the secondary forest. However, there was no significant difference in terms of species abundance between forest habitats for subfamilies, as well as for the 15 most abundant nymphalid species sampled, except for Mycalesis mnasicles. This satyrine was regarded as being able to differentiate habitat, apart from sensitive to canopy openings. Secondary forest provides a heterogeneous habitat for nymphalids, and thus highest diversity was observed here. This study implies that habitat association of the family is crucial, as it will provide information for both species inventory as well as the fluctuation patterns of the nymphalids diversity. Similar study is suggested to be carried out in the future, which incorporates more than one habitat types and in a more extensive period.

Trace element concentrations in caudal scutes from Crocodylus moreletii and Crocodylus acutus in Belize in relation to biological variables and land use

Crocodylus moreletii (Morelet’s crocodile) and Crocodylus acutus (American crocodile) are generalist, apex predators of subtropical aquatic habitats in Central America. As top predators, crocodiles may be exposed to high levels of micro pollutants, such as trace elements via bioaccumulation that enter the food web as a consequence of human activities. As such, the status of their population can be considered indicative of that of the entire ecosystem – i.e., crocodiles constitute as genuine indicator species. In this study, we report on the concentrations of trace elements found in the caudal scutes of 178 specimens of C. acutus and C. moreletii from Belize. Our objectives were three-fold: (1) to assess variation in trace element concentration between species, sexes, age classes and body index; (2) to identify areas with elevated exposure to trace elements by comparing concentrations in the scutes of crocodiles at various sites in Belize; and (3) to explore links between crocodile trace element load and local land use. All elements tested (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Zn, Co) could be detected in at least some scutes. Many of the readings of As and Co were under or close to the detection limit and were not further analyzed. Relatively high Hg concentrations were observed in adults from Chiquibul Forest (median 3.170 µg/g) and Ambergris Caye (0.834 µg/g). Concentrations of Hg and Pb tended to be higher in adult animals than in juveniles, especially in C. acutus. On the other hand, concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn were higher in juveniles than in subadult adult animals. Concentrations of Cu were higher in C. acutus than in C. moreletii, but otherwise no species-effects were found for the other trace elements. We found a negative correlation between Hg and Zn concentrations; correlations among Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations tended to be positive. In both juveniles and adults, animals with high concentrations of Zn had lower body-indices (a proxy for physiological condition). None of the other element concentrations correlated with the body-index. Specimens of C. acutus were more often sampled at coastal sites, while C. moreletii sampling points were typically closer to agricultural or forested areas. A canonical correlation analysis revealed a significant association between trace element load and habitat characteristics. Animals sampled inland, near submontane forests, contained higher levels of Hg, while animals sampled near agricultural, urban or lowland habitats tended to have higher concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn. This study identifies the most prevalent trace element concentrations impacting Belizean watersheds while highlighting the exposure risk to non-essential trace elements in less-urbanised areas or protected areas.

Secondary succession on landslides in submontane forests of central Taiwan: Environmental drivers and restoration strategies

AbstractAimsWe aim (a) to investigate and describe the species composition of vegetation that has recolonized landslides and describe its relationship to environmental variables; and (b) to propose a set of plant species and restoration strategies applicable for speeding up the restoration process.LocationElevation between 240 and 1,350 m a.s.l. in central Taiwan, East Asia.MethodsWe delimited the boundaries of landslides using aerial photographs taken between 1975 and 2015. We sampled 52 plots from 48 selected landslides and measured 21 environmental variables to identify the significant factors related to species composition. Cluster analysis and transformation‐based redundancy analysis were used to determine the vegetation groups and corresponding environmental variables; the environmental differences between different vegetation types were evaluated by ANOVA.ResultsWe classified the vegetation into four types and related each of them to a successional age, landslide position and soil pH, as well as Mn and Mg contents. Two early‐successional types (aged 5–10 years) mainly occurred in habitats in steep slip zones, which are dominated by pioneer woody species and have a high coverage of grasses, forbs, or ferns thickets. In contrast, the mid‐successional vegetation type (aged 16–40 years), growing on flat habitats, consists of pioneer woody species in the canopy layer and seedlings or saplings of shade‐tolerant species in the understorey.ConclusionsWe confirmed that the composition and recruitment of species can be well explained by environmental differences between landslide zones and successional age. Some framework species and some shade‐tolerant woody species can be applied to landslide scars with plant dispersal limitation problems and habitats suffering from poor local species pools, respectively. To overcome the problem of vegetation succession blocked by Miscanthus and ferns thickets, we suggest that pioneer woody species and herb species can be seeded on landslide scars at once for erosion control.

An unusual body colouration of Ceylon roughside snake (Aspidura ceylonensis)

The small sized, non-venomous, and fossorial colubrid snake genus Aspidura Wagler, 1830 is endemic to Sri Lanka. Aspidura ceylonensis (Günther, 1858) is rare and restricted to mid-elevation to montane and sub-montane forests at elevation of 500–1300 m a.s.l. in the Central Highlands and the Knuckles massif. It is found in cool and well-shaded forest areas, with thick moist leaflitter, woody debris, and loose soil. The usual adult body coloration on dorsum is dark reddish or dark orange, rarely yellowish, with a continuous black vertebral line and two rows of dorsolateral black spots along the body.

The endemic plant species of Mt Kupe, Cameroon with a new Critically Endangered cloud-forest tree species, Vepris zapfackii (Rutaceae)

SummaryWe revise and update the records of strict and near-endemic species of Mt Kupe, Cameroon respectively from 31 strict endemics in 2004, to 25 today, and with near-endemic species 30, unchanged in number but with turnover. The changes result from new collections, discoveries and taxonomic changes in the last 16 years. While 15 of the provisionally named putative endemic species have now been formally published, a further 18 have not. The majority of the 30 near-endemic species (18) are shared with the adjacent Bakossi Mts, far exceeding the numbers shared with the more distant Mt Etinde-Mt Cameroon, Rumpi Hills and Ebo forest areas (sharing three near-endemic species each with Mt Kupe). We test the hypothesis that a further one of the provisionally named putative Mt Kupe species, Vepris sp. 1 from submontane forest near the summit, is indeed new to science. We compare it morphologically with the two other bicarpellate high altitude Cameroon Highland tree species V. montisbambutensis Onana and V. bali Cheek, concluding that it is a new undescribed species here named as Vepris zapfackii. The new species is illustrated and its conservation status assessed as Critically Endangered using the 2012 IUCN standard, due to habitat clearance from agricultural pressures at its sole location which is unprotected. Vepris zapfackii and V. bali appear unique in African trifoliolate species of the genus in having opposite leaves. Vepris zapfackii differs in having hairy petiolules and midribs and petiolules with the blade decurrent distally, narrowing towards a winged-canaliculate base (vs glabrous and petiolule long, terete), and sparsely golden hairy pistillodes and a glabrous calyx (vs densely black hairy pistillodes, and sepals hairy).

A new riparian Andean Potamites (Reptilia, Squamata, Gymnophtalmidae) from El Sira Mountains, central Peru, with comments on P. ecpleopus Cope 1875, and on the taxonomy and biogeography of Potamites

We describe a new species of riparian lizard from the foothills and submontane forest of El Sira Communal Reserve, Departamento de Huánuco, Peru, at elevations from 540 to 760 m. We name the new species Potamites hydroimperator sp. nov. because it is the only lizard living in streams in this isolated mountain. The new species is distinguishable from other congeners (except P. ecpleopus) by having longitudinal rows of keeled scales on dorsum, and males with 5–8 lateral ocelli on each flank. Potamites hydroimperator sp. nov. differs from P. ecpleopus by being smaller, having dorsal scales on forelimbs smooth or slightly keeled, subconical tubercles on forelimbs weakly present or absent, and four to five superciliar scales. We comment on variation in the pattern of keeling of dorsal scales among Amazonian lowland, Andean foothills and montane species of Potamites, and the potential relevance of this scalation pattern for taxonomic and biogeographic studies. The new species increases our knowledge of the diverse and endemic herpetofauna of El Sira, and of diversity within the genus Potamites. Despite El Sira’s status as natural protected area, gold mining activities are destroying the streams where we found P. hydroimperator sp. nov., threatening their populations.

Development and degradation of a submontane forest in the Beskid Wyspowy Mountains (Polish Western Carpathians) during the Holocene

Mountain regions harbour high biodiversity; however, in numerous areas, they are strongly degraded by human activity. Our study reconstructs the development of the submontane forest belt (400 and 650 m a.s.l.) in the Beskid Wyspowy Mountains (Western Carpathians, Central Europe) affected by climate, humans, fire, and parasitic fungi during the Holocene. This forest belt is considered the most transformed by the human in the Carpathian region. Our multi-proxy study included analyses of pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs), plant macrofossils, micro- and macrocharcoal (size fraction >100 µm, analysed in contiguous sampling), geochemical, and sedimentological markers. The results revealed that Picea abies dominated on the fen subjected to study at ca. 8510–5010 cal. BP. Tilia cordata was a substantial component of the submontane forest between ca. 8510 and 2970 cal. BP and it survived a probable Kretzschmaria deusta outbreak, as well as a period of increased fire activity (ca. 6000 cal. BP). The final retreat of forests with a substantial contribution of Tilia was induced by the expansion of Abies alba, Fagus sylvatica, and partly Carpinus betulus and was preceded by the period of increased fire activity and erosion. From ca. 900 cal. BP human-induced deforestations and agricultural and pastoral activity increased. The modern presence of woodlands with Pinus sylvestris and Larix decidua, in the submontane zone in the Beskid Wyspowy Mountains, is a result of sub-recent anthropogenic afforestation on overgrazed areas. The example of the Zbludza site reveals that changes related to fire and pathogen infections, if they have low magnitudes and new competitive taxa are absent, may be reversible in a forest composed of fire-intolerant tree taxa as Tilia. Nonetheless, the widespread submontane ecosystem degradation and the introduction of alien species hamper the regeneration of forest vegetation typical of the submontane zone.

A new Dryadella Luer (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from the South Atlantic Rainforest

Dryadella catharinensis, a new orchid species found in the north-northeast part of the Santa Catarina state, in southern Brazil, is described here. The tiny new species was found in the dense ombrophilous submontane forest (Floresta Ombrófila Densa Submontana) in the Atlantic Rainforest. It is similar to Dryadella susanae, which is endemic of the Espírito Santo state and differs in the larger vegetative size, the narrow and suberect leaf, yellow flowers, the sepals with slightly denticulate margins, the petals with an obtuse apex and the cuneate lip with denticulated margins and a annular callus in the median portion of the claw. It is the fifteenth Dryadella species restricted to the Atlantic Rainforest (~25% of the genus), evidencing the importance of the conservation of this biome—of which only 11% remains—for the genus. Due to the rarity and low density of this species in the field, allied to the degradation of the habitat, we suggest a conservation status of Endangered. Further fieldwork is needed to locate additional populations and study the biological aspects for their conservation.

Broad-Winged Hawks Overwintering in the Neotropics: Landscape Composition and Threats in Wintering Areas of a Long-Distance Migrant

The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is an obligate long-distance migrant that breeds in deciduous and mixed forests of North America and migrates to Neotropical regions to overwinter. Despite advances in understanding the breeding ecology and migration of this species, the overwintering period and associated threats remain understudied. We used telemetry data to quantify land cover composition and threats during the overwintering period of seven females affixed with Argos solar-powered transmitters between 2014 and 2018. Broad-winged Hawks in our study nested in Pennsylvania, USA, and overwintered in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. Overwintering areas varied in size (x̄ = 243.6 ± 101.2 km2) and were composed of evergreen sub-montane forests, lowland non-flooded forests, and lowland flooded evergreen forest. In general, the loss of forest cover in all areas used by Broad-winged Hawks in our study did not exceed 10% of the total overwintering area used, suggesting Broad-winged Hawks may select wintering areas with little forest disturbance. Illegal mining was a common disturbance in areas used by Broad-winged Hawks overwintering in southern Peru, and forest fires were the prevalent disturbance in the overwintering area of Mato Grosso in western Brazil. These results provide the first analysis of land cover composition and threats of Broad-winged Hawks during the overwintering period. Although more data are needed to determine specific habitat selection for this species, our study suggests large forested areas in the Neotropics are key to ensure the conservation of the Broad-winged Hawk during the overwintering period, an understudied stage of its annual cycle.

First record of Caecilia guntheri Dunn, 1942 (Gymnophiona, Caeciliidae) in Central America

I report the first encounter in Central America of an individual of Caecilia guntheri Dunn, 1942 (Gymnophiona, Caeciliidae). The individual was observed and collected in a primary evergreen submontane forest in Cerro Pirre, Darien Province, Republic of Panama. It was identified mainly by the low counts of secondary and primary folds. The encounter of this individual of C. guntheri highlights the disjunct populations and apparently the results of dispersion of this species from South to Central America by biotic exchange as result of the closure of the Isthmus of Panama.

A wake-up call: playback attraction data link numbers of Mount Cameroon Francolin Pternistis camerunensis to abundance and debarking of red stinkwood Prunus africana

SummaryThe little studied Mount Cameroon Francolin Pternistis camerunensis is endangered and strictly endemic to the undergrowth of Mount Cameroon’s primary forest. We surveyed the species in the Mount Cameroon National Park in July–August 2016 using call playback at 86 plots systematically placed along 17 transects in an attempt to assess the occupancy and conservation threats to the species. The study’s three main results are as follows. Firstly, Mount Cameroon Francolin occurred in the stratified vegetation types across the altitudinal range of 1,023–2,186 m. Secondly, the response rates of francolin were 15% in submontane forest (800–1,600 m altitude range); 80.8% in montane forest (1,600–1,800 m); 3.9% in montane scrub (1,800–2,400 m); and nil in the lowland forest (0–800 m). Thirdly, bird abundance significantly increased with latitude, ground vegetation height, presence of Prunus africana and tall grass cover but decreased with the density of small trees and disturbance caused by heavy Prunus exploitation, and also, based on indirect evidence, hunting. We recommend: (1) systematic use of call playback in monitoring the population status of francolins; (2) an increase in patrolling and law enforcement to control illegal hunting, land clearance and burning of the upper slopes; (3) promotion of sustainable harvesting of Prunus and agroforestry practices aimed at curbing land clearance in the park surroundings. Further research priorities and conservation strategies have been suggested based on this study’s emerging results.

Two new species from the mountains of southern Malawi and northern Mozambique

SummaryTwo new species are described from the proposed Mulanje-Namuli-Ribáuè Centre of Endemism. Isoglossa perdita I.Darbysh. (Acanthaceae) is apparently restricted to the submontane forests of southeastern Mt Mulanje in Malawi, and is assessed as Critically Endangered. Agelanthus patelii Polhill & Timberlake (Loranthaceae) is recorded from the montane forests of Mt Mulanje and from Mt Namuli in Mozambique, and the earlier assessment of this species as Endangered is confirmed. The habitat preferences and taxonomic affinities of these species are discussed. This work contributes to the ongoing assessment of the biodiversity and endemism of this montane region, and to the identification of Important Plant Areas in Mozambique.