Biseni forests (6749)
Nigeria, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2015

National site name: Biseni forests

Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.2500, Longitude: 6.5000

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 40 to 40

Area of KBA (km²): 216.18778

Protected area coverage (%): 99.99

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Biseni forests are located north-west of Ahoada (itself some 50 km north-west of Port Harcourt), just west of the Upper Orashi forests (NG015), in the Taylor Creek flood-plain of the Niger Delta. The forests are seasonally flooded during the rains, but dry out during the dry season leaving numerous small forest lakes. Raphia palms and some woody broadleaved species such as Symphonia globulifera and Ficus spp. are common. There are also areas of tall grass swamps close to the river channels.

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. Although as yet little explored, 96 species have been recorded. In addition, the site is a possible locality for Estrilda poliopareia. Nationally uncommon species include Baeopogon clamans, Trochocercus nigromitratus, Parmoptila woodhousei and Lamprotornis purpureiceps. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals include Cercopithecus erythrogaster (VU), Hexaprotodon liberiensis (VU) and Cephalophus sylvicultor (LR/nt).

Habitats

Land use: forestry | urban/industrial/transport

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	100

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Taylor Creek forest has been proposed as a Forest Reserve. Indiscriminate tree-felling for timber, enhanced by access roads built for exploration activities by oil companies, is progressively degrading much of the forest of the area. Hunting and other wildlife exploitation are unregulated. An NGO (Living Earth, Nigeria) is working with the local communities of the area, seeking to develop sustainable resource-exploitation strategies.

Additional information