Bossematie Forest Reserve (6096)
Côte d'Ivoire, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Forêt Classée de Bossematié
Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.5167, Longitude: -3.5500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 140 to 240
Area of KBA (km2): 219.76053
Protected area coverage (%): 97.98
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is located 40 km south of Abengourou in the semi-deciduous forest zone and, although bordered to the south by the Comoé river and to the west by the small Bossematié river, the forest is in effect entirely surrounded by farmland. The topography is gently undulating with a series of ridges and valleys; the site is traversed by a number of small seasonal streams, but there is no permanent water. Characteristic tree species include Triplochiton scleroxylon, Khaya ivorensis, Piptadeniastrum africanum and Celtis spp. The site was selectively logged up to six times between 1960 and 1990 when exploitation stopped, leaving a canopy cover of about 40%, and in many places, particularly the valley bottoms, the understorey has been invaded by the introduced weed Chromoleana odorata. Average annual rainfall is 1,400 mm.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Guinea Forests of West Africa Hotspot (2015). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat status follow the 2013 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. A total of 248 species has been recorded. Populations of large species such as some of the hornbills have been much reduced by poaching. Non-bird biodiversity: The mammals Loxodonta africana cyclotis (EN) and Pan troglodytes verus (EN) occur. Some 300 species of butterfly (Lepidoptera) have been recorded.
Habitats
Land use: forestry | hunting | nature conservation and research | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Unknown | 32 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 16 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Bossematié is one of seven classified forests included in a German-funded forest rehabilitation programme that began in 1990 when logging ceased. Since then a number of illegal cocoa and banana plantations operating within the forest have been abandoned. Poaching has been reduced, but still occurs. Forest management includes planting of commercially valuable native tree species (e.g. Triplochiton scleroxylon) and enrichment planting of particularly degraded places.
Additional information
References: Waltert et al. (1999).