Lower Guinean forests
The Lower Guinean forests also known as the Lower Guinean-Congolian forests, are a region of coastal tropical moist broadleaf forest in West Africa, extending along the eastern coast of the Gulf of Guinea from eastern Benin through Nigeria and Cameroon.[1]
The Dahomey Gap, a region of savanna and dry forest in Togo and Benin, divides the Lower Guinean forests from the Upper Guinean forests to the west, which extend along the western coast of the Gulf of Guinea from Togo to Liberia and north to Guinea.
To the north and northeast, the Lower Guinean forests transition to the drier inland Guinean forest–savanna mosaic and Northern Congolian forest–savanna mosaic and to the southeast are bounded by the Congolian Coastal forests, whose boundary is the Sanaga River in Cameroon.[2]
The Lower Guinean forests share many biotic affinities with the Upper Guinean forests. They are collectively known as the Guinean Forests of West Africa, location is Sierra Leone.[3]
The Lower Guinean forests, represent a vital ecological region in West and Central Africa. Stretching along the Gulf of Guinea coastline, these forests encompass parts of Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and smaller portions of neighboring countries.
The Lower Guinean forests are globally recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, characterized by their exceptional ecological significance and remarkable species diversity.[4]
Ecoregions
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) divides the Lower Guinean forests into a number of distinct ecoregions:
- Nigerian lowland forests (Togo, Nigeria)
- Niger Delta swamp forests (Nigeria)
- Cross–Niger transition forests (Nigeria)
- Cross–Sanaga–Bioko coastal forests (Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea)
- Cameroonian Highlands forests (Nigeria, Cameroon)
- Mount Cameroon and Bioko montane forests (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea)
- São Tomé, Príncipe, and Annobón moist lowland forests (Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe)
The WWF has designated two regions of the Lower Guinean forests as Global 200 priority regions for conservation. The WWF's "Coastal Congolian forests" region includes the Cross-Sanaga Bioko coastal forests, São Tomé and Príncipe moist lowland forests, and Atlantic Equatorial coastal forests ecoregions. The "Cameroon Highlands forests" Global 200 region includes the Cameroonian Highlands forests and the Mount Cameroon and Bioko montane forests ecoregions.
Geographical Features
Tropical Rainforests
These forests primarily consist of tropical rainforests, characterized by high rainfall, lush vegetation, and a wide variety of plant life. The region's rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year.[5]
Flora and Fauna
The Lower Guinean forests are recognized as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. They are home to a vast array of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic.[6]
Lower Guinean forests are known for their rich botanical diversity, including numerous tree species, epiphytes, orchids, and medicinal plants. The forests support diverse wildlife, including various primates (such as chimpanzees and gorillas), big cats (like leopards and forest elephants), numerous bird species, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.[7][5]
Ecological Significance
Carbon Storage
These forests play a critical role in sequestering carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change. Their extensive vegetation stores significant amounts of carbon.[8][9]
Water Regulation
The forests regulate water flow, helping to prevent flooding during heavy rains and ensuring a steady supply of freshwater to rivers and streams.[10][11]
Habitat for Endangered Species
Several critically endangered species, including the Cross River gorilla and various species of monkeys and birds, inhabit the Lower Guinean forests.[12][13]
Cultural and Indigenous Importance
These forests are often home to indigenous communities with rich cultural traditions. The forests provide resources and are central to the way of life of many local peoples.[14]
Threats and Conservation
Deforestation
The Lower Guinean forests are under threat from deforestation due to logging, agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development. This threatens both biodiversity and carbon storage.
Habitat Fragmentation
The expansion of human activities has led to the fragmentation of forest habitats, making it more challenging for wildlife to thrive and migrate.
Illegal Wildlife Trade
Poaching and the illegal trade in wildlife, especially for bushmeat and exotic pets, put pressure on many species within the forests.
Climate Change
Changing rainfall patterns and temperature variations associated with climate change can impact the health and distribution of forest ecosystems.
Conservation Efforts
Efforts are being made by conservation organizations, governments, and local communities to protect and conserve the Lower Guinean forests. Strategies include creating protected areas, promoting sustainable forestry practices, and raising awareness about the ecological and cultural value of these unique forests. Conservation initiatives aim to balance the need for economic development with the imperative to preserve this vital ecological region.
See also
References
- ^ Darwall, W., Polidoro, B., Smith, K., & Somda, J. (2015). Ecosystem profile guinean forests of West Africa biodiversity hotspot. Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund Report.
- ^ Linder, H. Peter, Helen M. de Klerk Julia Born et al. (2012). "The partitioning of Africa: statistically defined biogeographical regions in sub‐Saharan Africa". Journal of Biogeography Volume 39, Issue 7 May 2012. [1]
- ^ "Guinean Forests of West Africa", Wikipedia, 2023-03-29, retrieved 2023-07-01
- ^ Streck, Charlotte; Scholz, Sebastian M. (2006). "The Role of Forests in Global Climate Change: Whence We Come and Where We Go". International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944-). 82 (5): 861–879. ISSN 0020-5850.
- ^ a b Darwall, W., Polidoro, B., Smith, K., & Somda, J. (2015). Ecosystem profile guinean forests of West Africa biodiversity hotspot. Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund Report.
- ^ Carr, Jamie; Adewale Adeleke; Angu, Kenneth Angu; Belle, Elise; Burgess, Neil; Savrina Carrizo; Choimes, Argyris; Nonie Coulthard; Darwall, William; Foden, Wendy; Jean-Marc Garreau; Wenceslas Gatarabirwa; Hicks, Charlotte; Kapijimpanga, Daniel Ramlose; King, Emily (2015). "Ecosystem Profile Guinean Forests of West Africa Biodiversity Hotspot". doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.1724.8889.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Guinean Forests of West Africa - Species | CEPF". www.cepf.net. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ Nunes, Leonel J. R.; Meireles, Catarina I. R.; Pinto Gomes, Carlos J.; Almeida Ribeiro, Nuno M. C. (2020-02). "Forest Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation: Management Oriented to Carbon Capture and Storage". Climate. 8 (2): 21. doi:10.3390/cli8020021. ISSN 2225-1154.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Dixon, R. K., Winjum, J. K., & Schroeder, P. E. (1993). Conservation and sequestration of carbon: the potential of forest and agroforest management practices. Global Environmental Change, 3(2), 159-173.
- ^ Blumenfeld, S., Lu, C., Christophersen, T., & Coates, D. (2009). Water, wetlands and forests. a review of ecological, economic and policy linkages. In Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Montreal and Gland. CBD Technical Series (Vol. 47, pp. 1-38).
- ^ Nilsson, Christer; Renöfält, Birgitta Malm (2008). "Linking Flow Regime and Water Quality in Rivers: a Challenge to Adaptive Catchment Management". Ecology and Society. 13 (2). ISSN 1708-3087.
- ^ Oates, J. F., Bergl, R. A., & Linder, J. M. (2004). Africa's Gulf of Guinea forests: Biodiversity patterns and conservation priorities (p. 90). Washington, DC: Conservation International.
- ^ Mittermeier, R. A., Valladares-Pádua, C., Rylands, A. B., Eudey, A. A., Butynski, T. M., Ganzhorn, J. U., ... & Walker, S. (2006). Primates in peril: the world's 25 most endangered primates, 2004–2006. Primate Conservation, 2006(20), 1-28.
- ^ Fairhead, J., & Leach, M. (1996). Misreading the African landscape: society and ecology in a forest-savanna mosaic (No. 90). Cambridge University Press.
External links
- Guinean Forests of West Africa, at Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.
- Coastal areas of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone at World Wildlife Fund.
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