Jema-Asemkrom Forest Reserve (6323)
Ghana, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Jema-Asemkrom Forest Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.4333, Longitude: -2.7333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 50 to 80
Area of KBA (km2): 71.45924
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is situated c.14 km south of Enchi town and is accessible from the Enchi–Boinso road. The western boundary of the reserve is formed by the international frontier with Côte d’Ivoire. There is a range of hills in the northern section with swamps and rivers in the central, low-lying area. The vegetation is wet evergreen forest. The area adjoining the Tano river in the south is heavily degraded, but large parts of the forest are still in excellent condition. The degraded parts include farmland which was inside the reserve at the time of its establishment and are largely dominated by pioneer tree species. There are several areas of good forest outside the reserve and it is also close to the Boin-Tano Forest Reserve (GH004), to the north-east. There has been no commercial logging in the 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. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals include Cephalophus ogilbyi (LR/nt), C. dorsalis (LR/nt), Pan troglodytes (EN) (10–15) and Procolobus badius waldroni (CR).
Habitats
Land use: forestry | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 71 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 9 | |
| Unknown | 18 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area was designated a Forest Reserve in 1981. It is rated a Condition 2 forest with a GHI of 186 and it has been proposed that parts be given greater protection, including a Hill Sanctuary. Chewing-sticks are exploited.
Additional information
References: Hawthorne and Abu-Juam (1995), Holbech (1996).