Obudu Plateau (6734)
Nigeria, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2015

National site name: Obudu Plateau

Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.5357, Longitude: 9.4708

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1500 to 1700

Area of KBA (km²): 707.42754

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is situated in the south-east of the country, close to the border with Cameroon, to the north-east of Cross River National Park—Okwangwo Division (NG010). The area is wet and mountainous with a plateau at about 1,500 m and peaks which rise to 1,700 m, and is a western extension of the Cameroon mountain range. It comprises a large area of montane grassland criss-crossed by numerous perennial mountain streams flowing through valleys. These valleys support patches of relict montane forest. Typical plants include Andropogon distachyos in the grasslands and various Ficus spp., Polyscias fulva and the tree-fern Cyathea manniana in the forests. Forest trees are often festooned with epiphytes. A state-owned cattle ranch covers part of the area, while the remainder of the land is owned by local communities. Access is via an asphalted road from the nearby town of Obudu. The wet season lasts from March to November and average annual rainfall is about 4,200 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. About 128 species have been recorded, among which seven species of the Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome (A04) and 17 species of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome (A05) occur (see Table 3). Non-bird biodiversity: The primate Cercopithecus preussi (EN) still occurs; Gorilla gorilla (EN) at least used to do so, and is thought to visit the area seasonally, crossing from neighbouring Cameroon during the wet season. Some 52 of Nigeria’s 550 nationally endangered plants are found on the Obudu Plateau.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial	4
Forest	74
Savanna	7
Wetlands(Inland)	2
Unknown	9

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Many of the montane forest patches are badly degraded through subsistence farming and the grasslands suffer from overgrazing which, in places, has engendered serious sheet and gully erosion. Other major threats include bush fire and hunting. One of the largest forest patches and adjoining grassland has, however, been fenced by the Leventis Foundation to keep out livestock, and a firebreak has been constructed. A birdwatching trail and tree hide are maintained in an attempt to boost ecotourism. A local NGO is working with communities in the area to promote the sustainable use of the plateau’s natural resources.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Only in the future
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Small-holder farming	Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Suppression in fire frequency/intensity	Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Only in the future
Transportation & service corridors	Roads & railroads		Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Commercial & industrial areas		Only in the future
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Only in the future
Geological events	Avalanches/landslides		Ongoing
Climate change & severe weather	Habitat shifting & alteration		Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Tourism & recreation areas		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Wood & pulp plantations	Agro-industry plantations	Unknown

Additional information