REMA Unveils Shocking List of Threatened Ecosystems, Species in Rwanda

The state of environment and outlook report 2015 by Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has unveiled a shocking list of ecosystems and species that are threatened in the country and therefore urgently need protection. Despite Rwanda being one of Africa's most biologically rich regions, the report says there are 17 threatened terrestrial ecosystems of different categories in the country. Three ecosystems, that are classified as 'collapsed' are; Ndoha Natural forests, Sanza natural forest and Mashyuza natural forest. The report unveils that ten ecosystems are classified as critically endangered namely; volcanoes National Park, natural forests of Busaga, Dutake, Gishwati, Karama, Karehe-Gatuntu, Ibanda-Makera, Nyagasenyi, Rujambura and Mukura Natural Forest while the four endangered ecosystems are Kibirizi and Muyira natural forest, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Muvumba Gallery Forest.

The list also specifies trees that are in danger of disappearing, trees endemic to the Albertine Rift and rare trees endemic to Rwanda, trees of medicinal value, important trees for the timber industry that take more than 20 years to reach harvesting maturity, trees with cultural significance, and trees that are protected internationally.

The 2015 study also considered five groups of species namely plants, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians where 42 plants are threatened of which 7 are critically endangered, 28 are endangered and 7 are vulnerable.

The report says 17 birds are threatened, 9 critically endangered 4 endangered, 4 vulnerable but data was insufficient to assess 46 birds. The survey shows 42 mammals are threatened of which 6 are critically endangered, 32 endangered, 4 Vulnerable while 4 reptiles and amphibians are threatened of which 2 critically endangered and 2 endangered.

The country has 2,250 known plant species, 151 mammal species representing 40 per cent of Africa's mammal species, 87 species of amphibians and reptiles and 670 bird species.

The report indicates that Rwanda is a home of 30 per cent of global population of mountain gorillas where gorilla tourism for example generated a significant proportion of $293.6m in 2013.
Source: All Africa, 20 June 2016
http://allafrica.com/stories/201606210714.html