Species

Giant Lobelia flower

The Albertine Rift is incredibly rich in the number of species it contains and in the number of endemic species confined to this region. This is a result of the high diversity of habitats that can be found here. These habitats include: glaciers, alpine vegetation (including giant forms of plants that occur at lower altitudes such as giant Lobelias and Senecios), montane forest, lowland forest, savanna grasslands and woodlands, papyrus swamps, high altitude swamps, lava rock and the specialist vegetation that colonizes it, hot springs, and lakes which also have high numbers of species of fish.

Species numbers

Banded Mongoose

The information that exists on species numbers in Africa is usually confined to the large mammals and birds. Some records exist for reptiles and amphibians, but few other groups have been surveyed. It is still likely that species will be added to existing lists for protected areas so the numbers presented here should be taken as preliminary.

• Mammals. 402 species of mammal have been recorded for the Rift. This is 39% of all the mammals that occur on the African continent. Of these species, 35 are considered to be highly threatened by extinction (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable as classified by IUCN criteria).
• Birds. 1,061 species of bird have been recorded here. This is 52% of all of Africa's birds. Of these species, 25 are considered to be highly threatened.
• Reptiles. 175 species of reptile have been found in the Rift. This is about 14% of the total species numbers for Africa. However, this group has been poorly collected in the Rift and numbers could increase with more work. Only two are currently classified as threatened, although the classification is currently being revised.
• Amphibians. 118 species of amphibian have been recorded in the Albertine Rift. This is about 19% of Africa's amphibian species. Again, species are being discovered in this region as surveys take place and these numbers will increase with more survey work. 16 species of amphibian are highly threatened.
• Fish. Over 400 species of fish occur in the region's lakes although no complete list has been made at any site.
• Plants. 5,800 species of plant have been recorded in the Albertine rift. This is about 14% of the estimated total number of plants in Africa. At present, 40 species are classified as highly threatened but the list of threatened plants is in the process of revision and Africa is poorly represented at the moment.