Kéran National Park (6915)
Togo, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Kéran National Park
Central coordinates: Latitude: 10.1333, Longitude: 0.6833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 114 to 260
Area of KBA (km2): 1196.07931
Protected area coverage (%): 65.11
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Situated immediately south of Oti Faunal Reserve (IBA TG001) in the north of the country, Kéran National Park is composed principally of the flood-plain of the Koumongou river, a tributary of the Oti. The Koumongou is reduced to stagnant pools in the dry season but floods quickly during the rains. The main vegetation-types include wooded savanna dominated by Daniella oliveri and Butyrospermum paradoxum, good gallery forest beside the Koumongou and open, sparsely-vegetated, plains with some rocky ground. The site includes the Mare-aux-Lions, a small wetland area close to the Koumongou river which is attractive to birds and mammals. The main road north through Togo to Burkina Faso cuts across the northern part of the park.
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 2 for key species. In addition, Circus macrourus has been recorded. The park is notable for large, conspicuous species such as Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis and Neotis denhami, both of which breed, and up to 60 Anastomus lamelligerus. The gallery forest provides the most northern patch of habitat in the country suitable for such species as Apaloderma narina and Hypergerus atriceps. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals of global conservation concern include Loxodonta africana (EN).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 56 | |
| Shrubland | 42 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Although well protected until 1991, with guards enforcing regulations, including speed restrictions for vehicles travelling on the main road through the park, serious problems arose after the political upheavals that then took place. Indiscriminate hunting, uncontrolled land settlements and taking of firewood became widespread. It is not known how the birds have been affected but the larger species such as bustards will almost certainly have suffered, along with the larger mammals.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |