Fazao-Malfakassa National Park (6916)
Togo, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Fazao-Malfakassa National Park
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.7362, Longitude: 0.8064
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 250 to 848
Area of KBA (km2): 2153.36859
Protected area coverage (%): 95.98
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Fazao-Malfakassa National Park is situated in the centre-west of the country, near, and at one point against, the international border with Ghana. The park holds the most extensive area of undisturbed vegetation in Togo. The terrain is rugged and includes the Monts de Malfakassa in the north and the Monts du Fazao in the centre with a precipitous cliff-face, the Falaise de Boulowou, along its western edge. It is the only National Park with such characteristics in West Africa. The habitat is varied and includes savanna woodland (Afzelia africana, Anogeisseus leiocarpus and Isoberlinia doka communities and Monotes kerstingii–Uapaca togoensis communities), good stands of gallery forest (Dialium guineensis, Antiaris africana, Berlinia grandiflora), submontane forest and grass-covered hilltops.
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 2 for key species. The site is important on account of its large size and undisturbed habitat. It is one of the few places in the country where Bucorvus abyssinicus occurs and is a refuge for many of the rarer birds of prey (e.g. Hieraaetus dubius and Spizaetus africanus), as well as Guttera pucherani and Francolinus lathami. The area probably harbours many as yet unrecorded species, especially in the well-wooded valleys of the Kpaza and Koué rivers. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals of global conservation concern include Panthera leo (VU), Loxodonta africana (EN) and Cephalopus dorsalis (LR/nt). In addition, Pan troglodytes (EN) is reputed to occur.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 97 | |
| Shrubland | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The park suffered from increased poaching after the political upheavals of the early 1990s. Other threats include illegal gold prospecting which damages riverine habitats (e.g. in the Loukoulou river), illegal honey-gathering and a plan to build a road through the park to Ghana. The F. Weber Convention signed an agreement with the Government of Togo in 1990 to manage the park and its hotel for 25 years.