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Nialama (or Nyalama) is located in the Fouta Djallon highland region in northern Guinea and was designated a Classified Forest (IUCN category not reported) in 1943 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019). It is 120 km northwest of Labé in the sub-prefecture of Linsan-Saran. It has a size of 100 km2 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019). Nialama is on and below a steep plateau, an area characterized by a mosaic of open savanna woodland with gallery forests, grassland, patches of bamboo and seasonal swamps (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011, BirdLife International 2019). The annual rainfall is 1,145 mm (BirdLife International 2019).  

Nialama (or Nyalama) is located in the Fouta Djallon highland region in northern Guinea and was designated a Classified Forest (IUCN category not reported) in 1943 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019). It is 120 km northwest of Labé in the sub-prefecture of Linsan-Saran. It has a size of 100 km2 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019). Nialama is on and below a steep plateau, an area characterized by a mosaic of open savanna woodland with gallery forests, grassland, patches of bamboo and seasonal swamps (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011, BirdLife International 2019). The annual rainfall is 1,145 mm (BirdLife International 2019).  

Due to its bird diversity Nialama is designated an Important Bird Area with a total size of 120 km2 consisting of Nialama CF and adjacent areas (BirdLife International 2019). Several primate species occur in the forest: western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus''), king colobus (''Colobus polykomos''), Guinea baboon (''Papio papio''), Campbell’s monkey (''Cercopithecus campbelli''), patas monkey (''Erythrocebus patas''), and Northern lesser galago (''Galago senegalensis'', Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). In addition, 17 species of amphibians have been recorded in Nialama CF (Hillers et al. 2008).

Due to its bird diversity Nialama is designated an Important Bird Area with a total size of 120 km2 consisting of Nialama CF and adjacent areas (BirdLife International 2019). Several primate species occur in the forest: western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus''), king colobus (''Colobus polykomos''), Guinea baboon (''Papio papio''), Campbell’s monkey (''Cercopithecus campbelli''), patas monkey (''Erythrocebus patas''), and Northern lesser galago (''Galago senegalensis'', Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). In addition, 17 species of amphibians have been recorded in Nialama CF (Hillers et al. 2008).

= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->

= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->

In a nationwide survey Rebecca Kormos confirmed the presence of western chimpanzees in Nialama CF (Ham 1998). Kormos identified Nialama CF as the third most important priority area for western chimpanzee conservation in Guinea due to high abundance of chimpanzees and remaining suitable habitat (Ham 1998). A follow-up survey in 1998 concluded that at least three chimpanzee communities occur in Nialama CF and additional four groups use the site periodically (Carter 2000 as cited in Kormos et al. 2003 and Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Janis Carter trained community members to monitor chimpanzees and set up a community-based monitoring system in which community members collected data monthly within and outside of Nialama CF (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Funding for this project ceased in 2009 and the current status of the monitoring project was not reported (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011).

In a nationwide survey Rebecca Kormos confirmed the presence of western chimpanzees in Nialama CF (Ham 1998). Kormos identified Nialama CF as the third most important priority area for western chimpanzee conservation in Guinea due to high abundance of chimpanzees and remaining suitable habitat (Ham 1998). A follow-up survey in 1998 concluded that at least three chimpanzee communities occur in Nialama CF and additional four groups use the site periodically (Fourrier 1999, Carter 2000 as cited in Kormos et al. 2003, Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Marc Fourrier (hired by Janis Carter to lead the conservation activities under the EU-funded project “Projet de Conservation de Chimpanzés en Guinée”) trained community members to monitor chimpanzees and set up a community-based monitoring system in which community members collected data monthly within and outside of Nialama CF (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Funding for this project ceased in 2009 and the current status of the monitoring project was not reported (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011).

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|''Pan troglodytes verus''

|''Pan troglodytes verus''

|1998

|1998-1999

|83

|83

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|Nialama forest

|~125 km²

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|Occupancy method

|Carter 2000 as cited in Kormos et al. 2003 and Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011

|Fourrier 1999, Carter 2000 as cited in Kormos et al. 2003 and Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011

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|Community members repeatedly and systematically visited 1km2 grid cells to determine area used by chimpanzees

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= 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 -->

The main threat to chimpanzees is habitat destruction and fragmentation as a results of the expansion of agricultural areas (BirdLife International 2019, Kormos et al. 2003, Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Two villages are located within Nialama Cf with a total population of several hundred inhabitants, and additional villages are located at the border of Nialama CF (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). The expansion of agricultural areas also resulted in an increase in frequency of negative chimpanzee-human interactions, for example crop raiding killing of young livestock by chimpanzees, conflict over water sources and wild fruits. Especially the first one can lead to the reduction in villager’s income. This is turn can lead to retaliatory hunting of chimpanzees by villagers (Carter 2004, 2008 as cited in Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Fires occur regularly to clear land for agriculture or foster the regrowth of new grass for cattle raising (PEGG 2012). Swamps are partly used for rice cultivation (BirdLife International 2019). At the end of 1980s large-scale logging took place (BirdLife International 2019).  

The main threat to chimpanzees is habitat destruction and fragmentation as a result of the expansion of agricultural areas (BirdLife International 2019, Kormos et al. 2003, Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). An additional threat to habitat include uncontrolled fires that are used to prepare agricultural zones for crop planting or grazing (Fourrier 1999, PEGG 2012).  Two villages are located within Nialama CF with a total population of several hundred inhabitants, and additional villages are located at the border of Nialama CF (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). The expansion of agricultural areas also resulted in an increase in frequency of negative chimpanzee-human interactions, for example crop raiding killing of young livestock by chimpanzees, conflict over water sources and wild fruits and honey. Especially the first one can lead to the reduction in villager’s income. This is turn can lead to retaliatory hunting of chimpanzees by villagers (Fourrier 1999, Carter 2004, 2008 as cited in Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Swamps are partly used for rice cultivation (BirdLife International 2019). At the end of 1980s large-scale logging took place (BirdLife International 2019).  

|Low

|Low

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|Retaliatory killings of chimpanzees after crop raising, but generally social norms forbid the hunting and eating of chimpanzees (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Retaliatory killings of chimpanzees after crop raiding, but generally social norms forbid the hunting and eating of chimpanzees (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Conflicts between humans and chimpanzees over dry season water sources is intense and may lead to retaliation (Fourrier 1999).

|Ongoing (2011)

|Ongoing (2011)

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|Medium

|Medium

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|Fire are set for clearing areas for agricultural use and grass regrowth (BirdLife International 2019, Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Fire are set for clearing areas for agricultural use and grass regrowth (Fourrier 1999. BirdLife International 2019, PEGG 2012, Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Ongoing (2011)

|Ongoing (2019)

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|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases

|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases

= 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 -->

In 1998 as part of the project “Projet de Conservation de Chimpanzés” local hunters were trained to collect monitoring data on the number and movement of chimpanzees in Nialama forest (Kormos et al. 2003). The aim was to develop a low-cost long-term monitoring system of chimpanzees (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Since 2000 a monthly, community-based monitoring system was implemented in the areas. In addition, in 1999 Nialama CF became the first forest in Guinea to be co-managed by local communities and the National Directorate of Water and Forests (DNEF) based on a legally binding agreement between the involved parties (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Co-management implied that local communities and government authorities jointly make land and resource-use decisions as a part of a management plan. Specifically, this included ensuring that community members and forestry agents implement management activities, such as clearing and maintaining fire buffers, wildlife monitoring, enforcing rules for the sustainable use of wildlife and plants, tree replanting and demarcating the classified forest. At the same part communities can use timber and non-timber forest products from the forest, receive financial and technical support for farming and agroforestry in selected areas, all in accordance with rules set forth in the management plan (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). The project was funded by USAID until 2009. A study showed that habitat degradation was less prevalent in habitat that had been demarcated as critical for chimpanzees by the community-based project compared to other areas around Nialama CF (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011).  

In 1998 as part of the project “Projet de Conservation de Chimpanzés en Guinée” local hunters were trained to collect monitoring data on the number and movement of chimpanzees in Nialama forest (Fourrier 1999, Kormos et al. 2003). The aim was to develop a low-cost long-term monitoring system of chimpanzees (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Additionally, an environmental education / sensibilization program using film and community meetings was implemented within the Nialama CF buffer zone to increase awareness of the area’s biodiversity and chimpanzees (Fourrier 1999). Since 1998, a monthly, community-based monitoring system was implemented in the areas. In addition, in 1999 Nialama CF became the first forest in Guinea to be co-managed by local communities and the National Directorate of Water and Forests (DNEF) based on a legally binding agreement between the involved parties (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). Co-management implied that local communities and government authorities jointly make land and resource-use decisions as a part of a management plan. Specifically, this included ensuring that community members and forestry agents implement management activities, such as clearing and maintaining fire buffers, wildlife monitoring, enforcing rules for the sustainable use of wildlife and plants, tree replanting and demarcating the classified forest. At the same time communities can use timber and non-timber forest products from the forest, receive financial and technical support for farming and agroforestry in selected areas, all in accordance with rules set forth in the management plan (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). The project was funded by USAID until 2009. A study showed that habitat degradation was less prevalent in habitat that had been demarcated as critical for chimpanzees by the community-based project compared to other areas around Nialama CF (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011).  

Noteworthy is also people’s traditional believes forbid the hunting and eating of chimpanzees, resulting in some level of protection to chimpanzees, but is not followed by all community members (Kormos et al. 2003, Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011).

Noteworthy is also people’s traditional believes forbid the hunting and eating of chimpanzees, resulting in some level of protection to chimpanzees, but is not followed by all community members (Kormos et al. 2003, Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011).

|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

|As part of co-management approach critical chimpanzee habitat was delineated, management plan exists, farmers received technical and financial support (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|As part of co-management approach critical chimpanzee habitat was delineated, management plan exists, farmers received technical and financial support (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Since 1999

|1999 to early 2000s

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|3. Energy production & mining

|3. Energy production & mining

|5.16. Implement community control of patrolling, banning hunting and removing snares

|5.16. Implement community control of patrolling, banning hunting and removing snares

|Hunting regulated as part of management plan (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Hunting regulated as part of management plan (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Since 1999

|1999 to early 2000s

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|6. Human intrusions & disturbance

|6. Human intrusions & disturbance

|Community-based monitoring system of chimpanzees implemented (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Community-based monitoring system of chimpanzees implemented (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Since 1998

|Since 1998

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|11. Habitat Protection

|11. Habitat Protection

|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat

|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat

|1) designated as Classified Forest (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2019), 2) co-management of forest (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2019)

|1) designated as Classified Forest (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2019), 2) co-management of forest (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2019)

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|1) since 1943, 2) 1999 to early 2000s

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|13.1. Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife

|13.1. Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife

|Villagers benefited from  technical and financial support for farming and other livelihoods which led to increased income (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Villagers benefited from  technical and financial support for farming and other livelihoods which led to increased income (Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011)

|Since 1999

|1999 to early 2000s

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= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->

= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->

As detailed above surveys and long-term monitoring of chimpanzees has been implemented (Ham 1998, Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). A study on amphibian diversity has also been done (Hillers at al. 2008).  

As detailed above surveys and long-term monitoring of chimpanzees has been implemented (Ham 1998, Fourrier 1999, Sunderland-Groves et al. 2011). A study on amphibian diversity has also been done (Hillers at al. 2008).  

BirdLife International. 2019. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Nialama. Online: [http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/nialama-iba-guinea www.birdlife.org]<br>

BirdLife International. 2019. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Nialama. Online: [http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/nialama-iba-guinea www.birdlife.org]<br>

Carter J. 2000. Les Chimpanzés de Guinée. Une etude pour une survie: Nyalama et Pita. Unpublished report for the US Agency for International Development, Conakry, Republic of Guinea, the Direction Nationale des Eaux et Forets, Conakry, Guinea and Friends of Animals, USA.<br>

Carter J. 2000. Les Chimpanzés de Guinée. Une etude pour une survie: Nyalama et Pita. Unpublished report for the US Agency for International Development, Conakry, Republic of Guinea, the Direction Nationale des Eaux et Forets, Conakry, Guinea and Friends of Animals, USA.<br>

Kormos R et al. 2003. The Republic of Guinea, in Kormos, R. Boesch, C., Bakarr, M.I. & Butynski, T.M. [eds.] Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK<br>

Kormos R et al. 2003. The Republic of Guinea, in Kormos, R. Boesch, C., Bakarr, M.I. & Butynski, T.M. [eds.] Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK<br>

Ham R. 1998. Nationwide chimpanzee census and large mammal survey Republic of Guinea. Projet de conservation des chimpanzés en Guineée. Report to the European Union. <br>

Ham R. 1998. Nationwide chimpanzee census and large mammal survey Republic of Guinea. Projet de conservation des chimpanzés en Guineée. Report to the European Union. <br>

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'''Page completed by:''' A.P.E.S. Wiki Team '''Date:''' 07/06/2019  <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->

'''Page completed by:''' A.P.E.S. Wiki Team & Marc Fourrier '''Date:''' 26/11/2019  <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->

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