Mitumba Mountains

The Mitumba Mountains stretch along the Western Rift Valley in Eastern Congo (DRC), west of Lake Tanganyika and Lake Kivu. The two main peaks, Mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biéga (2,790 m) are dormant volcanoes. The northern portion of the range is also known as the Itombwe Mountains or Itombwe Plateau.[1]

This article is about the mountains. For the donated clothing, see Mitumba (clothing).
Mitumba Mountains
Monts Mitumba
Mitumba Mountains, March 2023
Highest point
PeakMount Kahuzi
Elevation3,308 m (10,853 ft)
Coordinates2.249216°S 28.691139°E / -2.249216; 28.691139
Geography
Mitumba Mountains is located in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mitumba Mountains
Mitumba Mountains
CountryDemocratic Republic of the Congo
ProvinceSouth Kivu

Ecology

Most of the mountain range is in the Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion. At lower elevations, the montane forests transition to lowland rain forests at the northern end of the range, to forest–savanna mosaic in the central portion of the range, and miombo woodlands to the south.[2]

Gambeya gorungosana and Syzygium guineense are characteristic trees of the primary or mature montane forests. Macaranga kilimandscharica, Neoboutonia macrocalyx, and Xymalos monospora are trees typical of secondary forests, which regrow in areas cleared by wind or human disturbance.[3]

Protected areas

Kahuzi-Biéga National Park covers a portion of the mountains, including mounts Kahuzi and Biéga.[3]

References
  1. Moeyersons, Jan & Trefois, Philippe & Nahimana, Louis & Ilunga, L. & Vandecasteele, Ine & Byizigiro, Rutazuyaza Vaillant & Sadiki, S.. (2009). River and landslide dynamics on the western Tanganyika rift border, Uvira, D.R. Congo: Diachronic observations and a GIS inventory of traces of extreme geomorphologic activity. Natural Hazards. 53. 291-311. 10.1007/s11069-009-9430-z.
  2. "Kahuzi-Biega National Park". DOPA Explorer. Accessed 22 March 2022.
  3. Masumbuko, N. C., Habiyaremye, M. F., & Lejoly, J. (2012). Woody climbing plants influence the structure of the mountain forest in the kahuzi-biega national park, DR congo. Regional Environmental Change, 12(4), 951-959. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10113-012-0309-2
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