Upper Orashi forests (6748)
Nigeria, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Upper Orashi forests
Central coordinates: Latitude: 4.9036, Longitude: 6.5185
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 35 to 35
Area of KBA (km2): 98.82912
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Upper Orashi forests are located in the northern part of the Niger Delta. The site includes the Upper Orashi Forest Reserve, the roost of Psittacus erithacus at Ikodi and its environs. These are largely areas of lowland rainforest, most of which is secondary. Parts of these forests may be seasonally flooded and support a mixture of Raphia palm and broadleaved trees. In disturbed sites in higher areas the vegetation is usually dominated by oil-palm Elaeis guineensis and Musanga cecropioides. The large roost of Psittacus erithacus is located in such an area, near Ikodi village in Ahoada Local Government Area.
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 Table 3 for key species. Over 1,000 Psittacus erithacus roost in tall oil-palm bush near Ikodi. In addition, the site is a possible locality for the restricted-range Estrilda poliopareia. To date, 91 species have been recorded. Nationally uncommon species that occur include Pteronetta hartlaubi, Dryotriorchis spectabilis, Spizaetus africanus, Turtur brehmeri, Centropus leucogaster, Ceratogymna atrata, Pogoniulus atroflavus, Indicator conirostris, Dendropicos gabonensis, Apalis nigriceps, Anthreptes rectirostris and Nigrita fusconota. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals include Cercopithecus sclateri (EN), C. erythrogaster (VU), Hexaprotodon liberiensis (VU) and Cephalophus sylvicultor (LR/nt). Hylochoerus meinertzhageni has also been recorded from the area.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 2 | |
| Unknown | 5 | |
| Forest | 91 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Uncontrolled timber extraction is the most significant threat to the area. Other threats include roads built for oil exploration activities, which open up areas previously inaccessible to poachers. Forest clearance for farming is also a threat.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the past and unlikely to return | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Powell (1993).