Boundaries

The Albertine Highlands ecoregion is defined by the basins of the high-elevation rivers and streams that drain to the Lualaba River in the far eastern part of the Congo Basin. Whereas the Albertine Highlands topographic feature extends across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, this ecoregion is located entirely within eastern DRC. 

Topography

Maximum elevation in the ecoregion is above 3,000 m asl for some eastern summits (e.g., Mount Kahuzi and Mohi (Itombwe)), which give way to the west to elevated plateaus at about 1,500 to 2,000 m asl (Hughes & Hughes 1992). After passing through the numerous wetlands of these plateaus, the rivers descend sharply to about 800 to 1,000 m asl, where the land levels off again in the middle and west of the ecoregion. A particularly extensive floodplain occurs along the banks of the Luama River for about 130 km, where the river flows through a relatively low valley and drains a swamp about 600 km² in extent (Hughes & Hughes 1992). 

Freshwater habitats

On their westward course, the headwater streams flow from the summits of the Albertine Highlands through savanna plateaus, where swamps and wetlands surround them. In the large swamps that line streams on the savanna plateaus, Typha domingensis and Cyperus latifolius dominate. Cyperus latifolius sometimes forms pure stands and covers large areas. Abundant wetlands along many of the rivers provide habitat for important waterbird populations.

Terrestrial habitats

Vegetation varies across the ecoregion with elevation. Wet rainforest and semi-deciduous forest grow below the plateaus (elevation between 1,500-2,000 m asl), whereas the vegetation is primarily woody savanna at higher elevations on the plateaus (Hughes & Hughes 1992). Miscanthidium violaceum, Scleria sp., and Nymphaea mildbraedii grow away from the plateau streams, and on the swamp edges a woody canopy about three meters in height is composed of Hypericum lanceolatum, Maytenus acuminatus, and Myrica kandtiana. At lower altitudes, Uapaca guineensis, Ficus mucuso, Irvingia smithii, Klainedoxa sp., and Mitragyna stipulosa dominate the riverside forest. Below 1,000 m, Gilbertiodendron dewevrei and Staudtia stipitata comprise gallery forests and Mitragyna stipulosa grows in semi-permanent swamp areas.  Monospecific stands of Michelsonia microphylla grow near the equator (Hughes & Hughes 1992).

Other noteworthy fishes

Interesting fish include Chiloglanis and Amphilius species possessing elaborate sucker-like mouths that allow them to cling to substrates and likely facilitate feeding on the vegetation growing on rocks (Welcomme & De Mérona 1988). Also of interest is Kneria wittei, which is found in streams up to 1,800 m in elevation.

Justification for delineation

This ecoregion is defined by the upper basins of the high-elevation rivers that drain to the Lualaba River in the east of the Congo Basin. Although the fauna is incompletely known, it is thought that this area may have served as an important refuge zone for aquatic species during dry periods (Lévêque 1997). 

Level of taxonomic exploration

Poor