Mole National Park (6338)
Ghana, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Mole National Park
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.6495, Longitude: -1.7557
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 120 to 490
Area of KBA (km2): 4900.77021
Protected area coverage (%): 96.19
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mole National Park lies c.146 km north-west of Tamale. The terrain is undulating with low scarps. The vegetation is predominantly open Guinea Savanna woodland with an average tree height of 11 m and individuals reaching up to 22 m. Common tree species include Isoberlinia doka, Butyrospermum paradoxum, Burkea africana, Combretum spp. and Terminalia avicenniodes. Watercourses are lined with species-rich riparian forest, with a dense undergrowth and a closed canopy, from which emergents reach 38 m. There are also areas of grassland and swamps in the flood-plain of rivers and around water-holes.
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)
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 3 for key species. A total of 314 bird species have been reported to occur in Mole, the largest number of species reported for any site in the country. Non-bird biodiversity: Some 90 mammal species have been recorded, including Loxodonta africana africana (EN), Panthera leo (VU) and Colobus polykomos (LR/nt). Four plant taxa Aneilema setiferum var. pallidiciliatum, Gongronema obscurum, Kyllinga echinata and Rhinopterys angustifolia are considered endemic to the area.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 11 | |
| Forest | 88 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The park was established as a game reserve in 1958 and upgraded to a National Park in 1971. Poaching for bush-meat is a serious problem. Improper fire management is also an issue of concern: fires started by poachers inside the park and others originating from outside result in the almost complete burning of the park every dry season. These factors, coupled with the general lack of community support for the protection of the park, threaten the the future of at least the large mammal species.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Greig-Smith (1976), Grimes (1987), Rijksen et al. (1998), Schmitt and Adu-Nsiah (1993), Taylor and Macdonald (1978).