Species of newly identified African birds already in difficulty

The Alainine Rift region in Central Africa is a hotspot for biodiversity consisting of an upland system spanning six countries. Recent studies have shown that the Black Shrike population occupying the mid-altitude forests is a separate species and that new research is needed. The Condor: Ornithological Applications reveals that this newly discovered species may already be in danger because of the pressure of agricultural development.

The new mid-altitude species has been dubbed Willard's Willow Boubou, as opposed to previously recognized high altitude species, the Mountain Bean Boubou. Fabio Berzaghi of the Field Museum (now with the CEA Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory in France) and his colleagues used museum recordings and bird surveys to analyze the niche ecologically occupied by each species and their results confirm that there is very little overlap between the ranges of the two species, we find Willard's boucou at about 1200-1900 meters and the boubou of Sooty mountain at 1800 -3800 meters. In Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, 70% of Willard's potential Sooty Boubou lies outside protected areas and has been converted to agriculture, and figures for the Democratic Republic of Congo are only slightly better.

Sooty Boubou of Willard joins several other species of birds at risk that depend on the medium-altitude forests of the region, which have been largely neglected by conservation efforts. "The Albertine Rift is a crossroads of amazing biodiversity, spectacular and varied landscapes and harsh social and political unrest, ranging from glaciers to volcanoes, plateaus to lakes, with a succession of forest types ranging from nebulous forests of high altitude to tropical forests. ", says Berzaghi." It is home to gorillas and forest elephants as well as a large number of endemic animal and plant species. Unfortunately, much of the region has experienced endless conflict, with very negative consequences for humans and biodiversity. the populations are paramount. "

"This article provides additional data in support of the recognition of Willard's Sleepy Boubou as a species distinct from the Mountain Sooty's Boubou., Is important, as these habitats are among the worst affected in Africa by agriculture", according to Rauri Bowie, African Bird Specialist at the University of Berkeley, who did not participate in the study "Conservation organizations have the opportunity to go beyond the taxonomic debate and use the derived models of this species to improve conservation outcomes not only for this species, but also for a wide range of vertebrates endemic to the mid-altitude albertine rift. have received relatively little protection from mountainous habitats at high altitudes. "

Explore more:
Published action plan to conserve one of Africa's richest sites for biodiversity

More information:
Fabio Berzaghi et al, Comparative modeling of the niches of two shrikes (Laniarius) and conservation of the Afromontane forests at mid-altitude of the Albertine rift, The condor (2018). DOI: 10.1650 / CONDOR-18-28.1