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Line 9: + − − − SITE UNDER PROGRESS − − − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + + + + − The Nimba mountains are a chain of mountains stretching across 40 km with the highest peak being Mount Nimba with 1,752m (Kormos & Boesch 2003). The area is characterized by a high plant and animal diversity and a high rate of endemism. The terrain is steep and the source if several rivers (Granier 2008). The habitat is moist forest up to 1,000 m altitude, but also includes grassland and wooded savanna (UNESCO 2018a). Due to strong seasonality and the abrupt change in altitude a variety of microclimates exist contributing to the high biodiversity (UNESCO 2018a). The most well-known endemic species are the Micropotamogale of Mount Nimba (Micropotamogale lamottei, a shrew), the viviparous toad of Mount Nimba (Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis) (UNESCO 2018a). In total, more than 317 vertebrate species, including 107 mammal species, more than 2,500 invertebrate species, and 2,000 plant species have been described (UNESCO 2018). − − Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and the only one in Guinea ([http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/155 UNESCO 2018]). It covers both Guinea (125.4 km²) and Côte d’Ivoire (50 km²). However, due to the threat of iron mining and the arrival of a large number of refugees from Liberia it has been listed as World Heritage in Danger since 1992 (UNESCO 2018a). − Since 1980 the Guinean part of the Nimba mountains is also part of the Mont Nimba Biosphere Reserve that also includes Déré forest and Bossou hills ([http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/africa/guinea/mont-nimba/ UNESCO 2011]).+ − − Even though the avifauna is not well studied in the Guinean part of the Nimba mountains, its diversity is assumed to be similar to the Liberian part of the mountain range, and the area is consequently recognized as an Important Bird Area ([http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/monts-nimba-(part-of-mount-nimba-transboundary-aze)-iba-guinea BirdLife International 2018a]). − − The long-term chimpanzee research site Bossou is less than 10 km to the west of Nimba Mountains and therefore the reserve area has been studied by chimpanzee researcher since the 1990’s. − − − − + − + + + + − + − + + + − = Ape status = <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->+ + − Surveys in different parts of the Nimba mountains confirmed the presence of western chimpanzees (Sugiyama 1995, Shimada 2001). From the beginning these surveys were also aimed to study chimpanzee behavior, such as nesting behavior and tool-use behavior (details below). In the Regional Conservation Action Plan for western chimpanzees in 2003 the Nimba mountains were identified as an ‘Exceptionally Important Priority Area’ (Kormos & Boesch 2003). Detailed surveys on chimpanzee density distribution were conducted by Nicolas Granier during multiple surveys after 2006 that focused on the eastern part of the protected area and the southern slope of Mount Nimba (Granier 2011, Granier et al. 2014). A transect survey conducted by the [http://www.wildchimps.org Wild Chimpanzee Foundation] estimated the chimpanzee population in the reserve at around 166 individuals (WCF 2012). − + − + − + Line 76:
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Line 297: − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + + − = Impediments = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->+ − Lack of transboundary cooperation as well as lack of technical, financial and human resources were mentioned as impediments to effective protection of the reserve (Granier and Martinez 2011, UNESCO 2018a, UNESCO 2018b). <br><br> − [[Impediments list]]+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + + + − = Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities, and keyword list of documented behaviours --> − As reviewed in Granier & Martinez (2011) the Nimba mountains have been the focus of research for several decades. In the 1940’s a research station was established in Ziéla to the North of the Nimba mountains and researchers including Maxime Lamotte, Roger Roy, and other scientists from the Institut Français d’Afrique Noire in Dakar, conducted studies on the fauna and flora, but also on climate and geology (Granier & Martinez 2011). In the context of the recognition of Nimba as a World Heritage Site several missions have been conducted by UNESCO (UNESCO 2018b). Many other organization conducted research here, for example on the Nimba toad (Hillers et al. 2008, Sandberger-Loua et al. 2016). Studies targeted at chimpanzees in the Mount Nimba Strict Nature reserve, also investigated chimpanzee behavior, such as tool-use (Sugiyama 1995, Shimada 2000), but also habitat use and nesting behavior (Granier et al. 2014).+ − ===Documented behaviours=== <!-- Paragraph describing any behaviours observed at the site, including citations --> − * traces of ant-catching with a wooden ‘wand’ (i.e., stem) found (Sugiyama 1995)+ − * ant-dipping sites in eastern part of the reserve (Granier 2011)+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − − [1] BirdLife International (2018a) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Monts Nimba (part of Mount Nimba transboundary AZE). Online: [http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/monts-nimba-(part-of-mount-nimba-transboundary-aze)-iba-guinea www.birdlife.org]<br>+ − [2] BirdLife International (2018b) Fighting rural poverty: community empowered to conserve Guinean mountain reserve. Online: [https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/fighting-rural-poverty-community-empowered-conserve-guinean-mountain-reserve www.birdlife.org/news]<br>+ − [3] Brugiere, D. & Kormos, R. (2009) Review of the protected area network in Guinea, West Africa, and recommendations for new sites for biodiversity conservation, Biodiversity and Conservation, 18:847<br>+ − [4] Granier, N. (2008) Ecological study and conservation of chimpanzees Pan troglodytes verus in the Nimba Mountain Biosphere Reserve, Republic of Guinea. Report to the Section on Great Apes of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International<br>+ − [5] Granier, N. (2011) Chimpanzees in the Eastern Part of the Nimba Mountains Biosphere Reserve: Gouéla II and Déré Forest, In: Matsuzawa, T. et al. (eds.) The Chimpanzees of Bossou and Nimba. Springer, Tokyo, Japan.<br>+ − [6] Granier, N., Hambuckers, A., Matsuzawa, T. and Huynen, M.-C. (2014) Density Estimates and Nesting‐Site Selection in Chimpanzees of the Nimba Mountains, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea. American Journal of Primatology 76: 999–1010<br>+ − [7] Granier, N. and Martinez, L. (2011) Conservation Issues in the Nimba Mountains, In: Matsuzawa, T. et al. (eds.) The Chimpanzees of Bossou and Nimba. Springer, Tokyo, Japan.<br>+ − [8] Hillers, A., Loua, N.-S., Rödel, M.-O. (2008) Assessment of the distribution and conservation status of the viviparous toad Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis on Monts Nimba, Guinea. Endangered Species Research, 5: 13–19. <br>+ − + − + − [11] Shimada, M. (2000) A survey of the Nimba Mountains, West Africa from three routes: confirmed new habitat and ant catching wand use of chimpanzees. Pan Africa News, 7, 7–10.<br>+ − [12] Sugiyama, Y. (1995) Tool-use for catching ants by chimpanzees at Bossou and Monts Nimba, West Africa. Primates 36: 193-205.<br>+ − [13] UNEP-WCMC and IUCN (2018) Protected Planet: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), Cambridge, UK: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN Online: [https://www.protectedplanet.net/massif-du-ziama-classified-forest www.protectedplanet.net]<br>+ − [14] UNESCO MAB (2011) UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve Directory. Haut Niger. Online: [http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/africa/guinea/mont-nimba / www.unesco.org]<br>+ − [15] UNESCO (2018a) Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve. Online: [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/155 whc.unesco.org]<br>+ − [16] UNESCO (2018b) State of Conservation - Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve. Online: [http://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/3810 whc.unesco.org/soc]<br>+ − [17] WCF (2012) Etat de la faune et des menaces dans les aires protégées terrestres et principales zones de forte biodiversité de Rep. de Guinée. Report. Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Sangaredi, Republic of Guinea. Online: [http://www.wildchimps.org www.wildchimps.org]<br>+ − + + + + + + + + + + − +
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (view source)
Revision as of 08:16, 13 January 2020
, 08:16, 13 January 2020no edit summary
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[[West Africa]] > [[Republic of Guinea]] > [[Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve]]
[[West Africa]] > [[Republic of Guinea]] > [[Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve]]
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with a one sentence overview of each of the following sections. can include a site map -->
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with a one sentence overview of each of the following sections. can include a site map -->
* Western chimpanzees ([https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15935/17989872 Pan troglodytes verus]) are present in Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve.
* Western chimpanzees ([https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15935/17989872 ''Pan troglodytes verus'']) are present in Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve.
* It has been estimated that more than 160 individuals occur in the reserve.
* There is an ongoing study to determine the chimpanzee population size (Koops et al. in prep.).
* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
* This site has a total size of 125 km².
* This site has a total size of 125 km².
* Key threats to chimpanzees are iron ore mining and poaching.
* Key threats to chimpanzees are iron ore mining, poaching and habitat encroachment.
* Conservation activities have focused on improving tri-national coordination and capacity building for local communities.
* Conservation activities have focused on improving tri-national coordination and capacity building for local communities.
* The Nimba mountains are exceptional in their diversity of fauna and flora with a high rate of endemism. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and listed as World Heritage in Danger since 1992. It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area.
* The Nimba Mountains are exceptional in their diversity of fauna and flora with a high rate of endemism. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and listed as World Heritage in Danger since 1992. It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area.
* Long-term chimpanzee research has been ongoing since 2003 at the Seringbara study site on the Guinean side of the Nimba Mountains.
= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is located in the Nimba mountains at the tri-national border of Guinea, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. It was designated a Strict Nature Reserve in 1944 (IUCN Category Ia) and is transboundary with Mount Nimba Integral Reserve (Côte d’Ivoire) and East Nimba Nature Reserve (Liberia, [https://www.protectedplanet.net/mount-nimba-strict-nature-reserve UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2018]).
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is located in the Nimba Mountains at the tri-national border of Guinea, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. It was designated a Strict Nature Reserve in 1944 (IUCN Category Ia) and is transboundary with Mount Nimba Integral Reserve (Côte d’Ivoire) and East Nimba Nature Reserve (Liberia, [https://www.protectedplanet.net/mount-nimba-strict-nature-reserve UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2018]).
Unlike other protected areas in Guinea, Nimba was managed the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris) and the Institut Français d’Afrique Noire (Dakar) after its creation (Brugière & Kormos 2009, Garnier & Martinez 2011). Consequently, the site as a long history of scientific studies (Garnier & Martinez 2011).
Unlike other protected areas in Guinea, Nimba was managed by the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris) and the Institut Français d’Afrique Noire (Dakar) after its creation (Brugière & Kormos 2009, Garnier & Martinez 2011). Consequently, the site as a long history of scientific studies (Garnier & Martinez 2011).
The reserve is now managed by the Centre for the Management of the Environment of Mount Nimba-Simandou (‘Centre National de Gestion de l’Environnement des Monts Nimba et Simandou‘, CEGENS) under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests and Sustainable Development, and fulfills administrative as well as scientific responsibilities (UNESCO 2018a).
The reserve is now managed by the Centre for the Management of the Environment of Mount Nimba-Simandou (‘Centre National de Gestion de l’Environnement des Monts Nimba et Simandou‘, CEGENS) under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests and Sustainable Development, and fulfills administrative as well as scientific responsibilities (UNESCO 2018a).
The Nimba Mountains are a chain of mountains stretching across 40 km with the highest peak being Mount Nimba with 1,752m (Kormos & Boesch 2003). The area is characterized by a high plant and animal diversity and a high rate of endemism. The terrain is steep and the source if several rivers (Granier 2008). The habitat is moist forest up to 1,000 m altitude, but also includes grassland and wooded savanna (UNESCO 2018a). Due to strong seasonality and the abrupt change in altitude a variety of microclimates exist contributing to the high biodiversity (UNESCO 2018a). The most well-known endemic species are the Micropotamogale of Mount Nimba (''Micropotamogale lamottei'', a shrew), the viviparous toad of Mount Nimba (''Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis'') (UNESCO 2018a). In total, more than 317 vertebrate species, including 107 mammal species, more than 2,500 invertebrate species, and 2,000 plant species have been described (UNESCO 2018).
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and the only one in Guinea ([http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/155 UNESCO 2018]). It covers both Guinea (125.4 km2) and Côte d’Ivoire (50 km2). However, due to the threat of iron mining and the arrival of a large number of refugees from Liberia it has been listed as World Heritage in Danger since 1992 (UNESCO 2018a).
Since 1980 the Guinean part of the Nimba Mountains is also part of the Mont Nimba Biosphere Reserve that also includes Déré forest and Bossou hills ([http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/africa/guinea/mont-nimba/ UNESCO 2011]).
Even though the avifauna is not well studied in the Guinean part of the Nimba Mountains, its diversity is assumed to be similar to the Liberian part of the mountain range, and the area is consequently recognized as an Important Bird Area ([http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/monts-nimba-(part-of-mount-nimba-transboundary-aze)-iba-guinea BirdLife International 2018a]).
'''Table 1: Basic site information for Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve'''
'''Table 1: Basic site information for Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve '''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
| Area: <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
|Area <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
|125 km²
|125 km²
|-
|-
| Designation: <!-- Protected area, Forestry concession, Community reserve -->
|Coordinates
|7.64 N, -8.41 W
|-
|Designation <!-- National Park, Nature Reserve, etc. -->
|Strict Nature Reserve
|Strict Nature Reserve
|-
|-
|Habitat types: <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (Without number), see link below -->
|Habitat types <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (Without number), see link below -->
|Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest, subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, dry savanna, permanent rivers
|Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest, subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, dry savanna, permanent rivers, arable land
|}
|}
[http://www.unitar.org/hiroshima/sites/unitar.org.hiroshima/files/Annex%201%20-%20IUCN%20Classification%20Schemes.pdf IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
[http://www.unitar.org/hiroshima/sites/unitar.org.hiroshima/files/Annex%201%20-%20IUCN%20Classification%20Schemes.pdf IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
<br>
= Ape status = <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
Surveys in different parts of the Nimba Mountains confirmed the presence of western chimpanzees (Sugiyama 1995, Shimada 2001). From the beginning these surveys were also aimed to study chimpanzee behavior, such as nesting behavior and tool-use behavior (details below). In the Regional Conservation Action Plan for western chimpanzees in 2003 the Nimba Mountains were identified as an ‘Exceptionally Important Priority Area’ (Kormos & Boesch 2003). Detailed surveys on chimpanzee density distribution were conducted by Nicolas Granier during multiple surveys after 2006 that focused on the eastern part of the protected area and the southern slope of Mount Nimba (Granier 2011, Granier et al. 2014). A transect survey conducted by the [http://www.wildchimps.org Wild Chimpanzee Foundation] estimated the chimpanzee population in the reserve at around 166 individuals (WCF 2012).
Long-term chimpanzee research has been ongoing at the Seringbara study site since 2003 on the Guinean side of the Nimba Mountains (Koops 2011). The Seringbara study site is on the western side of the Nimba Mountains, in the foothills adjacent to the small village of Seringbara in south-eastern Guinea (7° 37’50.0”N, 8° 27’44.7”W). The study area covers about 30 km² and is about 6 km southeast of the Bossou research site and 10 km from the Yealé study site on the other side of the Nimba Mountains in Ivory Coast. The Seringbara region of the Nimba Mountains is separated from the Bossou hills by 4 km of savannah. Since 2003, Kathelijne Koops has directed research at the Seringbara study site and researchers and field assistants have maintained a near-constant presence at the site. The study population remains only partly habituated to human observers due to the extremely rugged nature of the terrain. For more information on the study site, see Koops (2011), Koops et al (2007; 2010; 2012a, b; 2013; 2015, 2019) and Fitzgerald et al. (2018).
'''Table 2: Great ape population estimates in Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve '''
'''Table 2: Great ape population estimates in Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
! Species
! Species
! Year
! Year
! Abundance estimate (95% Confidence Intervall)
! Abundance estimate (95% confidence interval)
! Density estimate (per km²)
! Density estimate (per km²)
! Encounter rate
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
! Area
! Area
! Method
! Method
! A.P.E.S. database ID
! A.P.E.S. database ID
|-
|-
|Western chimpanzee
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|1991
|1991
|
|
|
|
|present
|Present
|north of Goera
|North of Goera
|reconnaissance survey
|Index survey
|Sugiyama 1995
|Sugiyama 1995
|
|Reconnaissance survey
|
|
|-
|-
|Western chimpanzee
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|1999
|1999
|
|
|
|
|present
|Present
|north east of Seringbara village
|North east of Seringbara village
|reconnaissance survey
|Index survey
|Shimada 2000
|Shimada 2000
|
|Reconnaissance survey
|
|
|-
|-
|Western chimpanzee
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|1999
|1999
|
|
|
|
|present
|Present
|north of Goera
|North of Goera
|reconnaissance survey
|Index survey
|Shimada 2000
|Shimada 2000
|
|Reconnaissance survey
|
|
|-
|-
|Western chimpanzee
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|2006-2008
|2006-2008
|
|
|
|
|1.14 chimpanzee signs/km
|1.14 chimpanzee signs /km
|eastern part of the reserve
|Eastern part of the reserve
|combination of transect, reconnaissance and scouting surveys
|Line transects (Distance), Index survey
|Granier 2011
|Granier 2011
|total survey effort: 350 km
|Total survey effort: 350 km; combination of line transect, reconnaissance survey and scouting surveys
|
|
|-
|-
|Western chimpanzee
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|2009-2011
|2009-2011
|8-39 individuals
|8-39
|0.46 chimpanzee/km²
|0.46
|
|
|southern slope of Nimba mountains [covered Guinean section (10 km²) and Côte d’Ivoirian section (50 km²)]
|Southern slope of Nimba Mountains [covered Guinean section (10km2) and Côte d’Ivoirian section (50km²)]
|combination of transect and reconnaissance surveys, DISTANCE analysis
|Line transects (Distance), Index survey
|Granier et al. 2014
|Granier et al. 2014
|total survey effort: 78.21 km; abundance and density estimate only based on transects (i.e., 12.5 km)
|Total survey effort: 78.21 km; combination of line transect and reconnaissance survey, abundance and density estimate only based on transects (i.e., 12.5 km)
|
|
|-
|-
|Western chimpanzee
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|2009
|2009
|166 individuals
|166
|1.33 individuals/km²
|1.33
|6.58 nests/km
|6.58
|Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (i.e., Guinean part of Nimba mountains)
|Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (i.e., Guinean part of Nimba Mountains)
|transect survey, DISTANCE analysis
|Line transects (Distance)
|WCF 2012
|WCF 2012
|total survey effort: 59.4 km
|Total survey effort: 59.4 km
|
|
|}
|}
= Threats = <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
= Threats = <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
Since 1992 Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is listed as a ‘World Heritage in Danger’ because of plans to mine iron ore inside the reserve and an increase in anthropogenic pressure due to the arrival of refugees from Liberia (UNESCO 2018). Insufficient institutional structure was also reported as a threat (UNESCO 2018). As a result the boundary of the reserve were changed by the World Heritage Committee in 1993 and 15.5 km² were degazetted so that mining operations could take place (Brugière & Kormos 2009).
Since 1992 Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is listed as a ‘World Heritage in Danger’ because of plans to mine iron ore inside the reserve and an increase in anthropogenic pressure due to the arrival of refugees from Liberia (UNESCO 2018). Insufficient institutional structure was also reported as a threat (UNESCO 2018). As a result the boundary of the reserve were changed by the World Heritage Committee in 1993 and 15.5 km2 were degazetted so that mining operations could take place (Brugière & Kormos 2009).
Population density is high in the area around the reserve, also as consequence of mining activities in the Nimba Mountains. Consequently, poaching, wood extraction, land conversion to agriculture and cattle grazing using fires, and harvesting of medicinal plants is very prevalent across the area (Shimada 2000, WCF 2012, BirdLife International 2018b, UNESCO 2018a). In a nation-wide survey across 12 sites in Guinea, the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation concluded that Nimba was the most threatened site with 3.94 signs of human activity per km (WCF 2012). The most prevalent threat was poaching (2.74 signs/km), followed by agriculture, and wood extraction (WCF 2012). Agricultural activities have been on-going for decades especially in the northern part close to Seringbara and around Thuo towards the Liberian border (WCF 2012).
Population density is high in the area around the reserve, also as consequence of mining activities in the Nimba Mountains. Consequently, poaching, wood extraction, land conversion to agriculture and cattle grazing using fires, and harvesting of medicinal plants is very prevalent across the area (Shimada 2000, WCF 2012, BirdLife International 2018b, UNESCO 2018a). In a nation-wide survey across 12 sites in Guinea, the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation concluded that Nimba was the most threatened site with 3.94 signs of human activity per km (WCF 2012). The most prevalent threat was poaching (2.74 signs/km), followed by agriculture, and wood extraction (WCF 2012). Agricultural activities have been on-going for decades especially in the northern part close to Seringbara and around Thuo towards the Liberian border (WCF 2012).
According to the World Heritage Centre, the Guinean government arranged for all mining operations to halt in the reserve and that mining permits had been withdrawn (UNESCO 2018b). However, the World Heritage Center concluded that provided information was ambiguous, and that Environmental and Social Impact Assessments had not yet been implemented by mining companies or did not confirm to international standards (UNESCO 2018b). In addition, there are plans to tarmac a road from Lola (Guinea) to Danané (Côte d’Ivoire) that would pass by Mount Nimba and likely negatively impact biodiversity due to pollution, increased poaching and illegal logging (UNESCO 2018b).
According to the World Heritage Centre, the Guinean government arranged for all mining operations to halt in the reserve and that mining permits had been withdrawn (UNESCO 2018b). However, mining will commence in the mining enclave, a part of the World Heritage Site that has been declassified. The World Heritage Center concluded that provided information was ambiguous, and that Environmental and Social Impact Assessments had not yet been implemented by mining companies or did not confirm to international standards (UNESCO 2018b). In addition, there are plans to tarmac a road from Lola (Guinea) to Danané (Côte d’Ivoire) that would pass by Mount Nimba and likely negatively impact biodiversity due to pollution, increased poaching and illegal logging (UNESCO 2018b).
'''Table 3: Threats to great apes in Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve'''
'''Table 3: Threats to great apes in Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve '''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
!Specific threats <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
!Specific threats <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
!Threat level <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: unknown, low, high -->
!Threat level <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: unknown, low, high -->
!Quantified severity <!-- e.g., encounter rate, number of miners etc. (with reference)-->
!Description <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
!Description <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
!Year of threat
!Year of threat <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets-->
|-
|-
|1. Residential & commercial development
|1. Residential & commercial development
|
|
|absent
|Absent
|
|
|
|
|
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
|2.1. Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops
|2.1. Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops
|medium
|Medium
|agricultural activities especially in the northern part around Seringbara and towards the border with Liberia [17]
|0.62 signs of agriculture/km (37 signs of agriculture, survey effort: 59.424 km, WCF 2012)
|on-going
|Agricultural activities especially in the northern part around Seringbara and towards the border with Liberia (METT 2009, WCF 2012)
|Ongoing (2012)
|-
|-
|
|
|2.3. Livestock Farming & Ranching
|2.3. Livestock Farming & Ranching
|present
|Present
|present [16], level of threat not known
|
|on-going
|Present (METT 2009, UNESCO 2018b), level of threat not known
|Ongoing (2018)
|-
|-
|3. Energy production & mining
|3. Energy production & mining
|3.2. Mining & quarrying
|3.2. Mining & Quarrying
|present
|Present
|exploration for iron ore, activities seem to have ceased, but current threat level not clear [16]
|0.05 signs of mines/km (3 signs of mines, survey effort: 59.424 km, WCF 2012)
|unknown
|Exploration for iron ore, activities seem to have ceased, but current threat level not clear (METT 2009, UNESCO 2018b)
|Unknown (2018)
|-
|-
|4. Transportation & service corridors
|4. Transportation & service corridors
|4.1. Roads & railroads
|4.1. Roads & railroads
|present
|Present
|tarmacking of a road passing by the reserve in planning and would reinforce anthropogenic pressures such as poaching and illegal wood extraction [16]
|0.08 roads/km (5 roads, survey effort: 59.424 km, WCF 2012)
|in planning
|Tarmacking of a road passing by the reserve in planning and would reinforce anthropogenic pressures such as poaching and illegal wood extraction (UNESCO 2018b), signs of paths inside reserve (WCF 2012)
|Ongoing (2018)
|-
|-
|5. Biological resource use
|5. Biological resource use
|5.1.Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|5.1. Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|high
|High
|most prevalent sign of human activity inside the reserve [17, also confirmed by 2, 11, 16]
|2.74 signs of hunting/km (163 signs of hunting, survey effort: 59.424 km, WCF 2012)
|on-going
|Most prevalent sign of human activity inside the reserve (WCF 2012), also confirmed by BirdLife International 2018b, METT 2009, Shimada 2000, UNESCO 2018b
|Ongoing (2012)
|-
|-
|
|
|5.2. Gathering terrestrial plants
|5.2. Gathering terrestrial plants
|medium
|Medium
|collection of medicinal plants [2]
|
|on-going
|Collection of medicinal plants (BirdLife International 2018b)
|Ongoing (2018)
|-
|-
|
|
|5.3. Logging & wood harvesting
|5.3. Logging & wood harvesting
|medium
|Medium
|wood extraction [17]
|0.40 signs of wood extraction/km 24 signs of wood extraction, survey effort: 59.424 km, WCF 2012)
|on-going
|Wood extraction (WCF 2012)
|Ongoing (2012)
|-
|-
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
|
|Absent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|7. Natural system modifications
|7. Natural system modifications
|7.1. Fire & Fire suppression
|7.1. Fire & Fire suppression
|medium
|Medium
|fires used to clear land for agricultural and cattle grazing [16]
|0.07 signs of fire/km (4 signs of fire, survey effort: 59.424 km, WCF 2012)
|on-going
|Fires used to clear land for agricultural and cattle grazing (METT 2009, UNESCO 2018b, WCF 2012)
|Ongoing (2018)
|-
|-
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
|
|
|unknown
|Unknown
|
|
|
|
|
|9. Pollution
|9. Pollution
|
|
|unknown
|Unknown
|
|
|
|
|
|10. Geological Events
|10. Geological Events
|
|
|absent
|Absent
|
|
|
|
|
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
|
|
|unknown
|Unknown
|
|
|
|
|
|12. Other options
|12. Other options
|
|
|absent
|Absent
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|}
|}
[[Threats list]]
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
= Conservation activities = <!-- a text overview of conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
= Conservation activities = <!-- a text overview of conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
The governmental unit responsible for the administration of the reserve is the Centre for the Management of the Environment of Mount Nimba-Simandou (CEGENS) under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests and Sustainable Development, and fulfills administrative as well as scientific responsibilities (UNESCO 2018a).
The governmental unit responsible for the administration of the reserve is the Centre for the Management of the Environment of Mount Nimba-Simandou (CEGENS) under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests and Sustainable Development, and fulfills administrative as well as scientific responsibilities (UNESCO 2018a).
The project ‘Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests and Sustainable Development’ by Fauna & Flora International and funded by the Darwin Initiative established a transboundary biodiversity governance platform with the aim to compile data, build capacity and improve stakeholder collaboration (2009 -20012, [http://www.nimbadarwin.org/index.html Darwin Nimba Project]). The project also received follow-up funding from USAID, but whether it is still operational as of 2018 is not clear. Activities included stakeholder consultation, capacity building through workshops and data compilation (Darwin Nimba Project).
The project ‘Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests and Sustainable Development’ by Fauna & Flora International and funded by the Darwin Initiative established a transboundary biodiversity governance platform with the aim to compile data, build capacity and improve stakeholder collaboration (2009 -20012, [http://www.nimbadarwin.org/index.html Darwin Nimba Project]). The project also received follow-up funding from USAID, but whether it is still operational as of 2018 is not clear. Activities included stakeholder consultation, capacity building through workshops and data compilation (Darwin Nimba Project).
The nine-month project ‘Strengthening capacity of local communities to sustainably manage Mount Nimba’s natural resources’ headed by BirdLife International and financed by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund’s (CEPF) was implemented by the ‘Initiative de Base pour la Gestion des Ressources Naturelles’ (IBGRN) until February 2018 ([https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/fighting-rural-poverty-community-empowered-conserve-guinean-mountain-reserve BirdLife International 2018b]). The project established community groups, youth-led or women-led, and also two networks of traditional healers and hunters, and the groups also received legal status. Implemented activities included workshops and trainings in “micro-projects, internal governance, financial management, marketing, advocacy and communication” (BirdLife International 2018b). In addition, group members were trained in gardening and farming practices, and use of fuel efficient stoves with the aim to reduce reliance on natural resources from the protected area (BirdLife International 2018b).
The nine-month project ‘Strengthening capacity of local communities to sustainably manage Mount Nimba’s natural resources’ headed by BirdLife International and financed by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund’s (CEPF) was implemented by the ‘Initiative de Base pour la Gestion des Ressources Naturelles’ (IBGRN) until February 2018 ([https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/fighting-rural-poverty-community-empowered-conserve-guinean-mountain-reserve BirdLife International 2018b]). The project established community groups, youth-led or women-led, and also two networks of traditional healers and hunters, and the groups also received legal status. Implemented activities included workshops and trainings in “micro-projects, internal governance, financial management, marketing, advocacy and communication” (BirdLife International 2018b). In addition, group members were trained in gardening and farming practices, and use of fuel efficient stoves with the aim to reduce reliance on natural resources from the protected area (BirdLife International 2018b).
!Specific activity <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
!Specific activity <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
!Description <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
!Description <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
!Year of activity <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
!Year of activity <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets -->
|-
|-
|1. Residential & commercial development
|1. Residential & commercial development
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
|2.11. Farm more intensively and effectively in selected areas and spare more natural land
|2.11. Farm more intensively and effectively in selected areas and spare more natural land
|communities received training on improved farming practices [2]
|Communities received training on improved farming practices (BirdLife International 2018b)
|2017 - 2018
|2017-2018
|-
|-
|3. Energy production & mining
|3. Energy production & mining
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|4. Transportation & service corridors
|4. Transportation & service corridors
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|5. Biological resource use
|5. Biological resource use
|5.17. Provide sustainable alternative livelihoods; establish fish- or domestic meat farms
|5.17. Provide sustainable alternative livelihoods; establish fish- or domestic meat farms
|communities received training in financial, marketing and advocacy matters and in farming practices to decrease their reliance of natural resources from the protected area [2]
|Communities received training in financial, marketing and advocacy matters and in farming practices to decrease their reliance of natural resources from the protected area (BirdLife International 2018b)
|2017 - 2018
|2017-2018
|-
|-
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|7. Natural system modifications
|7. Natural system modifications
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|9. Pollution
|9. Pollution
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|10. Education & Awareness
|10. Education & Awareness
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|11. Habitat Protection
|11. Habitat Protection
|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat
|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat
|designated a Strict Nature Reserve in 1944 [13]
|Designated a Strict Nature Reserve in 1944 (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2018)
|since 1944
|Since 1944
|-
|-
|12. Species Management
|12. Species Management
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives
|absent
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|}
|}
[[Conservation activities list]]
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
= Impediments = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->
Lack of transboundary cooperation as well as lack of technical, financial and human resources were mentioned as impediments to effective protection of the reserve (Granier and Martinez 2011, UNESCO 2018a, UNESCO 2018b).
'''Table 5: Impediments reported for Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="impediments-table"
!align="left"|Impediment <!-- Do not change categories -->
!Source <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->
|-
Lack of capacity
|UNESCO 2018a, UNESCO 2018b
|-
|Lack of financial means
|UNESCO 2018a, UNESCO 2018b
|-
|Lack of human resources
|UNESCO 2018b
|-
|Lack of technical means
|UNESCO 2018a
|-
|Lack of transboundary cooperation
|Granier and Martinez 2011, UNESCO 2018b
|}
<br>
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
The Nimba Mountains have been the focus of research for several decades. In the 1940’s a research station was established in Ziéla to the North of the Nimba Mountains and researchers including Maxime Lamotte, Roger Roy, and other scientists from the Institut Français d’Afrique Noire in Dakar, conducted studies on the fauna and flora, but also on climate and geology (Granier & Martinez 2011). In the context of the recognition of Nimba as a World Heritage Site several missions have been conducted by UNESCO (UNESCO 2018b). Many other organization conducted research here, for example on the Nimba toad (Hillers et al. 2008, Sandberger-Loua et al. 2016). Studies targeted at chimpanzees in the Mount Nimba Strict Nature reserve, also investigated chimpanzee behavior, such as tool use (Sugiyama 1995, Shimada 2000), but also habitat use and nesting behavior (Granier et al. 2014). Long-term chimpanzee research is ongoing at the Seringbara study site in Guinea. Initial research at Seringbara focused on tool use behaviour by the Nimba chimpanzees especially in comparison to the chimpanzees at Bossou (e.g., Humle & Matsuzawa 2001, Koops 2011, Shimada 2000, Sugiyama 1995). Subsequently, Seringbara research broadened to include chimpanzee tool use patterns (Koops et al. 2013, 2015), feeding ecology (Koops 2011, Koops et al. 2013, 2019), grouping and ranging patterns (van Leeuwen et al. in press), nesting behaviour (Koops et al. 2007, 2012a,b), habitat suitability modeling (Fitzgerald et al. 2018), molecular genetics (Koops et al 2012b, Koops et al. in prep), nutritional analyses (Koops et al. 2019) and conservation strategies (Fitzgerald et al. in prep).
===Documented behaviours=== <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
'''Table 6: Great ape behaviors reported for Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
!align="left"|Behavior <!-- Do not change categories -->
!Source <!-- source for behavior -->
|-
|Ant dipping
|Humle & Matsuzawa 2001, Koops et al. 2015, Granier 2011
|-
|Crab fishing
|Koops et al. 2019
|-
|Fruit cleaving (''Treculia'')
|Koops et al. 2010
|-
|Hand clapping
|Koops & Matsuzawa 2006
|-
|Leaf biting
|Koops 2011
|-
|Leaf cushion
|Koops 2011
|-
|Leaf swallowing
|Koops 2011
|-
|Making ground nests
|Humle & Matsuzawa 2001, Koops et al. 2007, Koops 2011, Koops et al. 2012a,b
|-
|Medicinal uses of leaves
|Koops 2011
|}
===Relevant datasets===
===Relevant datasets===
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
<br>
<br>
= References =
= References =
BirdLife International. 2018a. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Monts Nimba (part of Mount Nimba transboundary AZE). Online: [http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/monts-nimba-(part-of-mount-nimba-transboundary-aze)-iba-guinea www.birdlife.org]<br>
BirdLife International. 2018b. Fighting rural poverty: community empowered to conserve Guinean mountain reserve. Online: [https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/fighting-rural-poverty-community-empowered-conserve-guinean-mountain-reserve www.birdlife.org/news]<br>
Brugiere D, Kormos R. 2009. Review of the protected area network in Guinea, West Africa, and recommendations for new sites for biodiversity conservation, Biodiversity and Conservation, 18:847<br>
Granier N. 2008. Ecological study and conservation of chimpanzees Pan troglodytes verus in the Nimba Mountain Biosphere Reserve, Republic of Guinea. Report to the Section on Great Apes of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International<br>
Fitzgerald et al 2018. Modeling habitat suitability for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in the Greater Nimba Landscape, Guinea, West Africa. Primates 59: 361-375.<br>
Granier N. 2011. Chimpanzees in the Eastern Part of the Nimba Mountains Biosphere Reserve: Gouéla II and Déré Forest, In: Matsuzawa, T. et al. (eds.) The Chimpanzees of Bossou and Nimba. Springer, Tokyo, Japan.<br>
Granier N et al. 2014. Density Estimates and Nesting-Site Selection in Chimpanzees of the Nimba Mountains, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea. American Journal of Primatology 76: 999–1010<br>
Granier N, Martinez L. 2011. Conservation Issues in the Nimba Mountains, In: Matsuzawa, T. et al. (eds.) The Chimpanzees of Bossou and Nimba. Springer, Tokyo, Japan.<br>
[9] Kormos, R. & Boesch, C. (2003) Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees in West Africa. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International, Washington DC.<br>
Hillers A et al. 2008. Assessment of the distribution and conservation status of the viviparous toad Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis on Monts Nimba, Guinea. Endangered Species Research, 5: 13–19. <br>
[10] Sandberger-Loua, L., Doumbia, J., and Rödel, M.-O. (2016) Conserving the unique to save the diverse — Identifying key environmental determinants for the persistence of the viviparous Nimba toad in a West African World Heritage Site, Biological Conservation 198: 15-21<br>
Koops K et al. 2007. Ground-nesting by the chimpanzees of the Nimba Mountains, Guinea: environmentally or socially determined? American Journal of Primatology 69: 407–419.<br>
Koops K et al. 2010. Do chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) use cleavers and anvils to fracture Treculia africana fruits? Preliminary data on a new form of percussive technology. Primates 51:175-178. <br>
Koops K et al. 2012a. Nest-building by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) at Seringbara, Nimba Mountains: anti-predation, thermoregulation, and anti-vector hypotheses. International Journal of Primatology 33 (2): 356-380.<br>
Koops et al 2012b. Terrestrial nest-building in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus): Implications for the tree-to-ground sleep transition in early hominins. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 148: 351-361.<br>
Koops et al 2013. Ecology of culture: Do environmental factors influence foraging tool use in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus)? Animal Behaviour 85: 175-185.<br>
Koops et al 2015. Chimpanzees prey on army ants at Seringbara, Nimba Mountains, Guinea: Predation patterns and tool characteristics. American Journal of Primatology 77: 319-329.<br>
Koops et al 2019. Crab-fishing by chimpanzees in the Nimba Mountains, Guinea. Journal of Human Evolution 133: 230-241.<br>
Koops K. 2011. Chimpanzees in the Seringbara Region of the Nimba Mountains, in Matsuzawa, T., Humle, T. and Sugiyama, Y. [eds.] The chimpanzees of Bossou and Nimba. Springer. Tokyo<br>
Kormos R, Boesch C. 2003. Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees in West Africa. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International, Washington DC.<br>
METT. 2009. Management Effectiveness Evaluations – Reserve naturelle integrale des Monts Nimba. Online: [https://papaco.org/guinea/ papaco.org]<br>
Sandberger-Loua L et al. 2016. Conserving the unique to save the diverse — Identifying key environmental determinants for the persistence of the viviparous Nimba toad in a West African World Heritage Site, Biological Conservation 198: 15-21<br>
Shimada M. 2000. A survey of the Nimba Mountains, West Africa from three routes: confirmed new habitat and ant catching wand use of chimpanzees. Pan Africa News, 7, 7–10.<br>
Sugiyama Y. 1995. Tool-use for catching ants by chimpanzees at Bossou and Monts Nimba, West Africa. Primates 36: 193-205.<br>
UNEP-WCMC, IUCN. 2018. Protected Planet: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), Cambridge, UK: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN Online: [https://www.protectedplanet.net/mount-nimba-strict-nature-reserve www.protectedplanet.net]<br>
UNESCO MAB. 2011. UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve Directory. Haut Niger. Online: [http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/africa/guinea/mont-nimba / www.unesco.org]<br>
UNESCO. 2018a. Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve. Online: [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/155 whc.unesco.org]<br>
UNESCO. 2018b. State of Conservation - Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve. Online: [http://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/3810 whc.unesco.org/soc]<br>
WCF. 2012. Etat de la faune et des menaces dans les aires protégées terrestres et principales zones de forte biodiversité de Rep. de Guinée. Report. Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Sangaredi, Republic of Guinea. Online: [http://www.wildchimps.org www.wildchimps.org]<br>
<br>
<br>
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