User:ASally Ruth/sandbox/Echuya Central Forest Reserve
The Echuya Central Forest Reserve is a Forest Reserve in Uganda. This typical tropical rain forest is covering over 34 Square Kilometers. it is located at the intersection of Kisoro and Rubanda districts. It is one of the few magical rain forests that still exist in Uganda. [1][2]
Location[edit]
Echuya central forest reserve is located in the South Western part of Uganda. It is found in Bufumbira County of Kisoro district and Rubanda county in Kabale district.[3][4] This forest reserve can easily be accessed through the Kabale-Kisoro road, the drive from Kampala to Echuya Central forest reserve is about 8 hours.[1]
Ecology[edit]
This forest is a Global bio-diversity site. It is popularly for being an important bird area. This is because of the high and rich diversity of bird species of which are threatened and endemic. It comprises of an estimated population of 153 bird species, 18 of these are endemic. Birds to expect to sight on birding tour in Echuya Central Forest Reserve are; the red throated alethe, collared apalis, mountain masked apalis, kivu ground thrush, red faced woodland warblers, dwarf honeyguide, archer’s robin chat, strange weavers, Doherty’s bush shrike, regal sunbird, Rwenzori batis, white eyed slaty flycatcher and others. Grauer’s warbler, is globally threatened bird species.[2][1]
The forest has a total of 127 tree species in the whole forest. 72 species of herbs, and 46 species of shrubs that have been recorded in the forest. Approximately 80% of the forest cover is mature macaranga kilimandscharia and hagenia abyssinica and 20% of high quality mountain bamboo known as Yushania Alpina.[1][2][5]
This forest was also once a home to the Batwa pygmies who used to hunt animals, gather fruit and firewood.
It is also a home to large and small mammals i.e. 10 species of mammals were recorded to be living there. Three carnivore species were recorded i.e. African golden cat (Caracal Aurata), serval cat (Leptailurus Serval) and side striped jackal (Canis Adustus). The forest also has 53 butterfly species and 43 moth species.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Echuya Forest Reserve". Bamboo Ecotours. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ a b c d "Echuya Forest - Places to Visit | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park". 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ "Echuya Forest - NFA Uganda". 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ "Echuya Forest Reserve | Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation". itfc.must.ac.ug. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ "Visit Echuya Forest". Inside Mgahinga National Park. Retrieved 2024-06-17.