Gulf of Guinea Islands' Biodiversity Network: Ornithology

GULF OF GUINEA CONSERVATION GROUP

GULF OF GUINEA ISLANDS' BIODIVERSITY NETWORK

Bird Habitats in São Tomé e Príncipe

Obo - Lowland primary rainforest

Lowland rainforest extends from sea level to 800m. Much of this has now been cultivated in the past and only a small amount of virgin habitat remains. The only primary rainforest occurs in the central and south-western parts of São Tomé and Príncipe and in São Tomé is only accessible by following rivers such as the Ana Chaves, Xufexufe or Quija.

Four specialist birds occur only in lowland forest - the São Tomé Grosbeak, São Tomé Short-tail, São Tomé Fiscal Shrike and Dwarf Olive Ibis. In Príncipe the rare Príncipe White-eye, Príncipe Thrush and endemic subspecies of the Olive Ibis are confined to primary areas

Montane and Mist forest

This picture taken at Lagoa Amelia shows a typical cloudforest scene. The fog has come down into the forest and the whole habitat is dripping with condensation.

The Montane Forest Region, extends from 800 to 1,400m, is very different to lowland forest due to the different edaphic conditions. The trees are tall, with a high dense canopy and are covered with epiphytes. Exell notes the abundance of ferns as being remarkable. Much of this type of habitat is intact on the south and west side of São Tomé; development has destroyed most of this type of habitat on the north and eastern sides. These areas in the north are now being used for the production of coffee and the farming of vegetables. This zone is the most at threat from agricultural development.

The Mist Forest Region from 1,400 m to 2,024 m. Forest cover extends to the top of the Pico de São Tomé, where the trees are stunted and the canopy open. The Pico is virtually always covered with mist and the temperatures get extremely low though frosts are unknown. This is probably the only habitat that has not been altered and is also one of the least known mainly due to the difficulty of access.

High altitude forest is home to the Giant Sunbird, Maroon Pigeon, Sao Tome White-eye and also the Sao Tome Scops Owl is easy to see up here.

Secondary forest & abandoned plantation

One of the most common habitats on the island and extremely valuable as it holds all the endemic birds apart from the primary forest specialists. São Tomé Scops Owl are common and it is a stonghold of the São Tomé Weaver.

Most of the forest along rivers in the south-east and south-west is old secondary growth dating back to the 1930s. On satellite images and aerial photographs this type of forest is virtually indistinguishable from primary forest. It is only through plantation and government archives, which are difficult to obtain, and by visiting these areas that it is possible to distinguish between primary forest and previously cultivated areas.

Roças

Working plantations are extremely important to many of the common endemic birds. In symapathetically managed cocoa plantations, São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher densities are more than double that found in mature forest.

Shade trees are important in maintaining a forest structure with both an understorey and a canopy - ideal for many insectivorous species.

Savannas / Mangroves

Savanna areas in the north and east of São Tomé have developed as a result of the clearance of the original dry deciduous forest in the early years of colonisation. Today the savanna is home to non- endemic bird species such as the Vitelline Masked Weaver, Bishops, Pintailed Whydahs etc as well as being home to the endemic sub-species of quail.

Remaining areas of Mangrove are few, with small areas in the north and east. Malanza, an extensive brackish lagoon in the very south of São Tomé, is the largest remaining area of mangrove and has been proposed for protection.

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	Obo - Lowland primary rainforest Lowland rainforest extends from sea level to 800m. Much of this has now been cultivated in the past and only a small amount of virgin habitat remains. The only primary rainforest occurs in the central and south-western parts of São Tomé and Príncipe and in São Tomé is only accessible by following rivers such as the Ana Chaves, Xufexufe or Quija. Four specialist birds occur only in lowland forest - the São Tomé Grosbeak, São Tomé Short-tail, São Tomé Fiscal Shrike and Dwarf Olive Ibis. In Príncipe the rare Príncipe White-eye, Príncipe Thrush and endemic subspecies of the Olive Ibis are confined to primary areas
	Montane and Mist forest This picture taken at Lagoa Amelia shows a typical cloudforest scene. The fog has come down into the forest and the whole habitat is dripping with condensation. The Montane Forest Region, extends from 800 to 1,400m, is very different to lowland forest due to the different edaphic conditions. The trees are tall, with a high dense canopy and are covered with epiphytes. Exell notes the abundance of ferns as being remarkable. Much of this type of habitat is intact on the south and west side of São Tomé; development has destroyed most of this type of habitat on the north and eastern sides. These areas in the north are now being used for the production of coffee and the farming of vegetables. This zone is the most at threat from agricultural development. The Mist Forest Region from 1,400 m to 2,024 m. Forest cover extends to the top of the Pico de São Tomé, where the trees are stunted and the canopy open. The Pico is virtually always covered with mist and the temperatures get extremely low though frosts are unknown. This is probably the only habitat that has not been altered and is also one of the least known mainly due to the difficulty of access. High altitude forest is home to the Giant Sunbird, Maroon Pigeon, Sao Tome White-eye and also the Sao Tome Scops Owl is easy to see up here.
	Secondary forest & abandoned plantation One of the most common habitats on the island and extremely valuable as it holds all the endemic birds apart from the primary forest specialists. São Tomé Scops Owl are common and it is a stonghold of the São Tomé Weaver. Most of the forest along rivers in the south-east and south-west is old secondary growth dating back to the 1930s. On satellite images and aerial photographs this type of forest is virtually indistinguishable from primary forest. It is only through plantation and government archives, which are difficult to obtain, and by visiting these areas that it is possible to distinguish between primary forest and previously cultivated areas.
	Roças Working plantations are extremely important to many of the common endemic birds. In symapathetically managed cocoa plantations, São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher densities are more than double that found in mature forest. Shade trees are important in maintaining a forest structure with both an understorey and a canopy - ideal for many insectivorous species.
	Savannas / Mangroves Savanna areas in the north and east of São Tomé have developed as a result of the clearance of the original dry deciduous forest in the early years of colonisation. Today the savanna is home to non- endemic bird species such as the Vitelline Masked Weaver, Bishops, Pintailed Whydahs etc as well as being home to the endemic sub-species of quail. Remaining areas of Mangrove are few, with small areas in the north and east. Malanza, an extensive brackish lagoon in the very south of São Tomé, is the largest remaining area of mangrove and has been proposed for protection.