A group of scientists has identified a new ecoregion in the southeastern part of Africa, spanning across Malawi and Mozambique. This region, known as the South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA), consists of a chain of isolated mountains that rise above the surrounding landscape, forming an 'inland archipelago' or 'sky islands' with distinct ecosystems.
The SEAMA ecoregion is home to a plethora of plant and animal species that are found nowhere else on Earth. Over the past two decades, around 100 specialists from various disciplines conducted extensive biological surveys across the region, documenting hundreds of previously unknown species.
One of the remarkable discoveries in this ecoregion is the Mabu bush viper, a new snake species found on Mount Mabu. This viper, along with many other newly described animals, highlights the genetic isolation and unique evolution of species in this region.
Despite the exciting discoveries, the SEAMA ecoregion faces severe threats from deforestation, hunting, and agricultural expansion. The study reveals alarming rates of forest loss on many mountains within the ecoregion, endangering the survival of endemic species.
Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the biodiversity of the SEAMA ecoregion. Local communities are taking steps to safeguard primary rainforests, but more initiatives are needed to preserve the unique flora and fauna of this region.
The scientists behind this research emphasize the global importance of the SEAMA montane archipelago and call for international support to conserve this unique and understudied ecoregion. They stress the need for transboundary conservation initiatives between Mozambique and Malawi to ensure the long-term survival of the endemic species in this ecologically significant area.
