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The Rondo Plateau is a high and extensive massif in the Mtwara Region of southeastern of Tanzania, which is in part protected by the Rondo Forest Reserve. It is reached about 60 km inland of Lindi, and is situated 15 km north of the Masasi road. It was revealed as an important biodiversity site in studies conducted since the 1980s.
Contents
Map of Rondo Plateau, Tanzania
Flora
It is an important stand of primary coastal forest in Tanzania, but also contains elements of montane forest, as it reaches 900 metres in altitude. The higher slopes are covered in extensive semi-deciduous, hardwood forest, constituting over 18 square km of closed canopy forest. Some 100 species of plant are endemic to the area.
Fauna
Various monkey species and small mammals occur. The Rondo dwarf galago was discovered here in the 1990s by Simon Bearder.
Conservation
Though a forest reserve since colonial times, much wood was harvested in the 1950s, when some 20 square km of forest was cleared to establish exotic plantations.