Subri River Forest Reserve (6329)
Ghana, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2015

National site name: Subri River Forest Reserve

Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.2833, Longitude: -1.7167

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 60 to 300

Area of KBA (km²): 591.73985

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Subri River Forest Reserve is located c.16 km south of the railway line linking the towns of Huni Valley–Twifo Praso and c. 21 km from Daboase village. The site is only some 3 km from the Pra-Sushien Reserve (GH018) and is the largest Forest Reserve in the country. The topography is generally undulating with altitudes in the range 60–125 m, but in the northern, south-eastern and central parts are steep-sided hills that reach 300 m. The reserve forms part of the watershed between the Bonsa and Pra rivers and is traversed by tributaries of each, resulting in extensive areas of swampy vegetation which make access difficult even in the dry season. The vegetation is moist evergreen forest, but wet evergreen forest is reported to occur in some parts. Some areas of the reserve were subjected to salvage felling between 1966 and 1976, followed by selective logging since 1978. Some 12,372 ha have been converted to plantation.

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: Tragelaphus euryceros (LR/nt) is reported to be common; Panthera pardus and Profelis aurata have been sighted by hunters in recent times.

Habitats

Land use: forestry | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	95
Unknown	2
Artificial - Terrestrial	1

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area was designated a Forest Reserve in 1950. It is rated a Condition 3 forest (though some areas are reported to be in good condition), with GHI of 107–207. Of the total area, 5,120 ha has been designated as a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area by the Forest Department. There is evidence of some gold mining. Local people have the right to collect deadwood for firewood.

Additional information