Donga river basin forests (6747)
Nigeria, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Donga river basin forests

Central coordinates: Latitude: 7.1350, Longitude: 10.5401

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 200 to 1200

Area of KBA (km²): 416.40151

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Donga river basin forests are located on the slopes and at the foot of the Mambilla Plateau, south-west of Gashaka-Gumti National Park (NG002). They include Baissa, Amboi and Bissaula River Forest Reserves as well as some areas of unprotected forests near the villages of Akwabe and Akoforo. The area is lowland forest beside the Donga river, south of Buru village and about 10 km from the border with Cameroon. The terrain is hilly and rocky. Derived savanna occurs in disturbed parts, but more forest survives in the east and south of the site. Dominant tree species include Brachystegia sp., Khaya grandifoliola, Erythrophleum guineensis, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Pterygota macrocarpa, Cleistopholis patens and Garcinia kola. Amongst the many species of lianas present are Entada pursaetha, Laccosperma opacum and Piper guineense. Rainfall is heavy and persistent due to the influence of the neighbouring Mambilla Plateau and the Cameroon mountains, but no figures are available. Soils are well drained, brown sandy loams, containing limited organic material.

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. Over 190 bird species have been recorded, including three of the Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome (A04); see Table 3. The site is the only one known in Nigeria for Smithornis sharpei. Other nationally uncommon species include Pteronetta hartlaubii, Terathopius ecaudatus, Stephanoaetus coronatus, Indicator maculatus, Muscicapa sethsmithi, Nectarinia johannae and Mandingoa nitidula. Non-bird biodiversity: The mammals Syncerus caffer (LR/cd) and Pan troglodytes (VU) occur.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | forestry | hunting | nature conservation and research | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	72
Savanna	27

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Although some parts are Forest Reserves, the majority of the area does not enjoy any legal protection. Much of the easily accessible forest has been logged since the 1970s and, in some areas, extensive habitat degradation has occurred. While the less accessible areas remain relatively intact, the northern forests have been split into three compartments, all earmarked for commercial logging, including parts of the Forest Reserves. One of these areas has already been virtually destroyed. The remaining forests are in the hands of the local communities. Land-use includes subsistence agriculture, fruit collection, hunting and grazing. Cocoa-farming and slash-and-burn agriculture are increasing and pose a threat, as does unregulated hunting. There is, however, strong local opposition to hunting by outsiders without permission and locals are keen to prevent fishing with chemicals or explosives. A community-based participatory conservation project began in 1999 in the area, managed by NCF in conjunction with the RSPB, WWF-UK and DFID.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Marine & freshwater aquaculture	Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing

Additional information