Harenna Forest

The Bale Mountains are in Ethiopia's Oromia Region, and form the southwestern portion of the Ethiopian Highlands.

The Harenna Forest is known for its native plants, mammals, amphibians and birds, including many endemic species.

The southern edge of the plateau drops in a steep escarpment, descending from 3800 to 2800 meters elevation.

Other canopy trees include Cassipourea malosana, Celtis africana, and Croton macrostachyus.

[1] Subalpine heathland, dominated by the tree heath Erica arborea, extends from 3250 to 3500 meters elevation, and forms the transition between the forest and the high-elevation alpine moorlands of the Sanetti Plateau.

[1] The tree Gymnosporia harenensis is endemic to the forest, and is also classified by the IUCN as vulnerable due to the threat of logging.

[5] The Harenna Forest was once habitat to packs of the endangered painted hunting dog, Lycaon pictus.

[6] The subalpine heathlands and alpine moorlands of the Sanetti Plateau are home to the largest population of the rare and endangered Ethiopian wolf.

[8] The Harenna Forest is home to Ethiopia's only population of Harvey's duiker (Cephalophus harveyi).

New residents cleared areas of forest for coffee cultivation, pasture, and subsistence farming, mostly in Harena Buluk woreda.