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Cause for Concern in Africa
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Eastern Guinean forests
Thousands of years of human activity have left this ecoregion highly fragmented. Several protected areas are scattered throughout the region, as are a number of timber reserves that also support wildlife. But much of the rest of the region has been burned for agriculture or logged. In some places, roads have been built into the forests to get access to mahogany and other valuable hardwoods, opening up the regions to increased exploitation.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Ethiopian montane forests
All the natural habitats in this ecoregion are highly threatened because they have been reduced to very small, scattered areas and because they are poorly protected. Forest cover has been lost to coffee plantations and other kinds of agriculture, as well as to the gathering of fuelwood. And in some places, overgrazing and intensive farming are causing massive soil erosion.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Granitic Seychelles forests
The Seychelles government has set aside a number of national parks and reserves to protect the natural heritage of the islands. Together, these protected areas and reserves do a good job of saving critically endangered species as well as the habitats they rely upon, particularly in the native forests in the higher reaches of the granitic islands. However, most of the lowland forests of the Seychelles Granitic Islands have been disturbed or destroyed. Coconut, vanilla, and cinnamon plantations occupy most of the coastal plateaus. Human disturbance of native habitats is still a problem, and human-facilitated introduction of exotic species is a continuing threat. Exotic species now comprise more than half of the total plant species of the Seychelles. Introduced goats, pigs, and cattle inhibit regeneration of native forest; and introduced cats and dogs prey upon native species, particularly seabirds, lizards, caecilians, and invertebrates. Aside from clearing of land and introduced species, the main conservation concern in the Seychelles is the small size of many plant and animal populations. Although many native species have probably always had small populations, the majority of them were spread over several islands. Following human settlement, one species after another has been reduced to one or two relict populations with very small ranges.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Guinean montane forests
The two biggest threats to this region are mining and deforestation. Although some mountain zones remain largely untouched, others have been severely degraded and fragmented.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Knysna-Amatole montane forests
The forests of this ecoregion have been harvested for their valuable wood since the 1700s. Today, this harvesting is conducted in a sustainable manner, and exotic plantations supply most of the timber demands. The yellowwoods, stinkwoods, and hard pears are the most sought-after species. Commercial plantations of hardwoods and coastal development further threaten these wild lands.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
KwaZulu-Cape coastal forest mosaic
Humans heavily populate this ecoregion, and development has destroyed much of its natural habitat. Holiday resorts have taken over many of the beaches, and in the north much of the area has been reforested with eucalyptus and other non-native trees for paper pulp production. The mining of dunes for titanium ore is a particular threat to the ecoregion's natural health. An extremely destructive process, the mining involves removing all the natural vegetation, excavating the sand, and extracting the ore. After the sand is returned, non-native plant species are usually planted in place of the original dune plant life.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Madagascar lowland forests
The major threat to this ecoregion is deforestation, a severe problem throughout Madagascar. In fact, humans have destroyed more than 90 percent of the island's original forest cover. Farmers practice "slash and burn" agriculture here, cutting down and burning the forests to make room for crops such as manioc, which is used to make tapioca. Remaining forests are fragmented, and population pressures are increasing. It is estimated that only seven percent of the remaining forests is well protected.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Madagascar subhumid forests
Since the arrival of humans 2,000 years ago, Madagascar has lost more than 90 percent of its original forest cover and many of its endemic species. For example, the world's largest flightless bird, the ten-foot-tall "elephant bird" Aepyornis, once lived in this ecoregion, as did the pygmy hippopotamus, the giant tortoise, and 16 additional species of lemur, including a giant ground-dwelling species. Today's species face a similar fate as their habitats are destroyed. In addition to habitat destruction, the exportation of reptiles for the pet trade has greatly reduced the population of leaf-tailed geckos and chameleons.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Maputaland coastal forest mosaic
While many of the habitats within the Maputaland coastal forest mosaic are protected, most of the ecoregion faces continued threats. The dune forest habitat in particular is not well protected and faces threats from strip mining for titanium. Other major threats to the region include the conversion of natural habitat to cropland and to large tree farms that grow eucalyptus and pines for paper pulp and timber.
Afrotropics
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Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Mascarene forests
Since humans colonized the Mascarenes Islands, the natural habitat has been fragmented and degraded from agriculture, livestock grazing, tourism, and the introduction of alien plants and animals. On Rodrigues Island, for example, the native vegetation clings to survival on high hilltops and ravines but accounts for less than one percent of the land area. Cyclones now hammer the degraded landscape, causing landslides and giving alien plants a foothold from which to further invade native habitats. Many of the endemic plants and animals in this ecoregion are severely threatened, and many have already been lost forever. Birds such as the endemic pink pigeon and Mauritius kestrel are threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators. What's more, introduced animals such as deer, wild pigs, black rats, and giant African land snails prevent forests from regenerating and cause problems for native animals. One of the rare boas on Round Island is feared extinct because that island has been overrun by rabbits and goats.
