The Kilimanjaro Ranges are made up several types of ecological zones. There are about five distinct Kilimanjaro Ecological Zones on the Kilimanjaro. Every vegetation type runs about 100 meters.
In the range of about 800 to about 1800 meters there will be human settlement and human activity
The Five Kilimanjaro Climate Zones
Below are the five Kilimanjaro climate zones:
- Cultivation Zone: The ranges from 1800 to about 2800 meters is another level of vegetation that as lush green growth. This lush vegetation is so because this area receives between 1000 t0 2000mm of rain. While in this level of the ranges you will see a lot of huge tree ferns, moss, Junipers and sycamore trees. This place is abit humid and this supports a range of plants like the impatiens Kilimanjaro.
- Forest Zone: The level between 2800to 4000meters is the Semi-Alpine (Forest) vegetation. At this level you will see a lot of Lobelias, giant goundsel, colorful red pokers and Senecios trees. This area of the mountain mainly receives rain through the mist which usually covers the area without notice. The temperatures here of course will be below 0 degrees.
- Heath/Moorland Zone: After you have gone through the forest, you will meet the heath and moorland vegetation zone. This is made up of giant heathers and Tall grass. This will however expose you to more winds unlike the previous section. This zone has hot temperatures during the day with very low temperature at night. Since the area receives more sunshine, the tails here are abit more dry compared to the forested zone. The sun rays are stronger since there is no canopy cover.
- Alpine/High Desert Zone: The other level above the 4000meters comprises of the Alpine desert vegetation zone. This area has alot temperature variations during the days and night. This level of the mountain will barely have any plant life. The landscape is abit desolate with some yellow daisies.
- Arctic Zone: At the level of about 5000meters above sea level, we find the arctic zone which is characterized by the frozen moonscape. This pace is covered in rocks and ice. The nights usually cold to the extreme and the sun has scotching rays during the day. This area has no life that survives and those small plants that try to grow can’t go beyond.
The lower mountain levels that have forested lands have good animal presence and birds like Green Wood Hoopoes, Hartlaub Turacos, and Silvery cheeked, tropical Boubous. There will be primates like olive baboons and more, mongoose monkeys. There is presence of elephants and duikers.
Animals and plants struggle to survive in the higher altitudes of Moorland and the Heath vegetations. But you will see some mouse, doves, ravens and sunbirds at this altitude. The mice may be had to locate as move in the undergrowth.
The rest of the vegetation zones above 4000 meters above sea level are too harsh for any animals to survive and so you won’t find animals in the Arctic and Alpine zones.
