Mopri Forest Reserve (6101)
Côte d'Ivoire, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Forêt Classée de Mopri
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.8333, Longitude: -4.9167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 10 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 324.58611
Protected area coverage (%): 69.62
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is located south-west of the town of Tiassalé, about 130 km north-west of Abidjan. Situated in the transition zone between evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, much of the original forest was cleared in blocks, between 1967 and 1976, and planted with commercially valuable native species such as Entandrophragma candollei, Khaya ivorensis and Terminalia ivorensis. Blocks of exotic species such as teak were planted between 1975 and 1991. Some of the plantings failed and these plots have regenerated into scrubby secondary growth while others, such as Terminalia ivorensis, have developed into imposing stands reaching 30 m. There is a block of 900 ha of natural forest set aside as a Biological Reserve.
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 186 species has been recorded; in view of the drastic modifications to which the vegetation of the site has been subject, it holds a surprisingly large and diverse forest avifauna. The site is the easternmost locality known for Melaenornis annamarulae and also holds species which are nationally rare such as Sasia africana, Cossypha cyanocampter and Bias musicus. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: forestry | nature conservation and research | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 22 | |
| Forest | 32 | |
| Unknown | 45 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The commercial exploitation of this site seems certain to continue. Efforts need to be made to ensure this is done in a manner as sympathetic to the avifauna as the needs of commerce will allow.
Additional information
References: Gartshore et al. (1995).