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Southern Highlands
Proportion of the area of the contribution comprising Key Biodiversity Areas: 0.7%
The Southern Highlands Conservation Program conserves key upland habitats and endangered species across southwest Tanzania. Lying between Lake Nyasa/Malawi and Lake Tanganyika the area is on the junction of the eastern and western arms of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Sites of particular interest include Kitulo Plateau, Mt Rungwe, Uporoto, Ufipa, Mpanga Kipengere and the Livingstone Mountains. It comprises of unique mosaic of plateau grasslands montane and miombo woodland forests. Dozens of species of Flora and Fauna are endemic to the area and most are globally threatened. The mountains and forests are vital to national and local economies through soil conservation and water catchment. It’s natural resource and ecosystem value contribute to agriculture sector through crop pollination, water and climate change mitigation. The Southern Highlands are ethnically diverse. Many cultures are closely tied to their environment and the landscapes have great traditional significance.
Potential conservation benefits in saving biodiversity
Potential reduction of species extinction risk resulting from threat abatement actions
Absolute value (STAR)
4.5% of the total biodiversity conservation potential of United Republic of Tanzania is covered by this project.
10.8% of Africa's biodiversity conservation potential is from United Republic of Tanzania.
19.5% of global biodiversity conservation potential is from Africa.
The chart below represents the relative disaggregation of the selected contribution's total potential opportunity for reducing global species extinction risk through taking actions to abate different threats to species within its boundaries. The percentages refer to the amount of the total opportunity that could potentially be achieved through abating that particular threat.