Difference between revisions of "Gola Forest National Park"

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[[West Africa]] > [[Liberia]] > [[Gola Forest National Park]]
 
[[West Africa]] > [[Liberia]] > [[Gola Forest National Park]]
  
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= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with a one sentence overview of each of the following sections. can include a site map -->
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'''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Gola_Forest_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=fr&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Français]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Gola_Forest_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=pt&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Português]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Gola_Forest_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Español]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Gola_Forest_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=id&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Bahasa Indonesia]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Gola_Forest_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=ms&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Melayu]'''
  
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* Western chimpanzees ([https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15935/17989872 ''Pan troglodytes verus'']) are present in Gola Forest National Park.  
+
__TOC__
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* It has been estimated that 94 (CI: 225-539) individuals occur in the site.  
+
= Summary =
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* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.  
+
 
−
* This site has a total size of 880 km².  
+
<div style="float: right">{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap|7.48, -10.81~[[Gola Forest National Park]]~'Pan troglodytes verus''}}</div>
 +
* Western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus'') are present in Gola Forest National Park.
 +
* It has been estimated that 94 (CI: 225-539) individuals occur in the site.
 +
* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
 +
* This site has a total size of 880 km².
 
* Key threats to chimpanzees are hunting and habitat disturbance due to illegal farming, logging and mining activities.
 
* Key threats to chimpanzees are hunting and habitat disturbance due to illegal farming, logging and mining activities.
 
* BirdLife International, the Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia, and the Forestry Development Authority of Liberia worked together on the establishment of Gola Forest National Park; these are also the main organizations implementing conservation activities in the park.
 
* BirdLife International, the Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia, and the Forestry Development Authority of Liberia worked together on the establishment of Gola Forest National Park; these are also the main organizations implementing conservation activities in the park.
−
* Gola Forest National Park is adjacent to the Gola Rainforest National Park in Sierra Leone, forming a transboundary peace park.  
+
* Gola Forest National Park is adjacent to the Gola Rainforest National Park in Sierra Leone, forming a transboundary peace park.
  
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= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
 
  
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Situated in northwest Liberia, the site was first classified as a National Forest in 1960 (Hoke et al. 2007), and designated as National Park in 2016 (Rainforest Trust 2018). The park is located in the Upper Guinea Forest of West Africa, a biodiversity hotspot with very high rates of endemism (Hoke et al. 2007). In addition to chimpanzees, other endangered mammal species occur, including Jentink’s duiker (''Cephalophus jentinki''), forest elephant (''Loxodonta africana''), pygmy hippopotamus (''Hexaprotodon liberiensis''), leopard (''Panthera pardus''), and bongo (''Tragelaphus eurycerus'') (Barrie et al. 2007). The site has also been declared an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International 2019). Gola Forest National Park is strategically connected to Sierra Leone’s Gola Rainforest National Park to establish a bi-national peace park (Rainforest Trust 2018).
+
= Site characteristics =
  
 +
Situated in northwest Liberia, the site was first classified as a National Forest in 1960 (Hoke et al. 2007), and designated as National Park in 2016 (Rainforest Trust 2018). The park is located in the Upper Guinea Forest of West Africa, a biodiversity hotspot with very high rates of endemism (Hoke et al. 2007). In addition to chimpanzees, other endangered mammal species occur, including Jentink’s duiker (''Cephalophus jentinki''), forest elephant (''Loxodonta africana''), pygmy hippopotamus (''Hexaprotodon liberiensis''), leopard (''Panthera pardus''), and bongo (''Tragelaphus eurycerus'') (Barrie et al. 2007). The site has also been declared an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International 2019). Gola Forest National Park is strategically connected to Sierra Leone’s [[Gola Rainforest National Park]] to establish a bi-national peace park (Rainforest Trust 2018).
  
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'''Table 1: Basic site information for Gola Forest National Park'''
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'''Table 1. Basic site information for Gola Forest National Park'''
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Site_characteristics-table"
−
| Area             <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha    -->
+
|Species
 +
|'Pan troglodytes verus''
 +
|-
 +
|Area
 
|880 km²
 
|880 km²
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Coordinates
+
|Coordinates
−
|7.50 N, -10.65 W
+
|Lat: 7.48 , Lon:  -10.81
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Designation      <!-- National Park, Nature Reserve, etc.  -->
+
|Type of site
−
|National Park
+
|Protected area (National Park)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Habitat types   <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (Without number), see link below -->
+
|Habitat types
 
|Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest
 
|Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest
 +
|-
 +
|Type of governance
 +
|
 
|}
 
|}
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[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 -->
 
  
−
The most recent estimate of chimpanzee abundance was 94 individuals in the year 2012 (Tweh et al. 2014).  
+
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
−
Through the GolaMA project, line transect surveys with nest counts were conducted across a small portion of the northern sector and the adjacent community forest. Lines were surveyed in 2016-2017 and repeated in 2018-2019 The data have not yet been analyzed to obtain a density estimate.
+
= Ape status =
  
 +
The most recent estimate of chimpanzee abundance was 94 individuals in the year 2012 (Tweh et al. 2014).
  
−
'''Table 2: Great ape population estimates in Gola Forest National Park'''
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'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Gola Forest National Park'''
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Ape_status-table"
−
! Species
+
!Species
−
! Year
+
!Year
−
! Abundance estimate (95% confidence interval)
+
!Occurrence
−
! Density estimate (per km²)
+
!Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day)
−
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
+
!Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
−
! Area
+
!Abundance estimate (95% CI)
−
! Method
+
!Survey area
−
! Source
+
!Sampling method
−
! Comments
+
!Analytical framework
−
! A.P.E.S. database ID
+
!Source
 +
!Comments
 +
!A.P.E.S. database ID
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2005
 
|2005
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|Gola National Forest
 
|Gola National Forest
−
|Index survey, capture-recapture method
+
|Genetic (dung/hair), Reconnaissance walk
 +
|
 
|Barrie et al. 2007
 
|Barrie et al. 2007
 
|Only hunters reported that chimpanzees were still present in parts of the forest
 
|Only hunters reported that chimpanzees were still present in parts of the forest
Line 76: Line 76:
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2012
 
|2012
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|0.110
 
|94 (225-539)
 
|94 (225-539)
−
|0.110
+
|Gola National Forest
 +
|Line transects
 
|
 
|
−
|Gola National Forest
 
−
|Line transects (Distance)
 
 
|Tweh et al. 2014
 
|Tweh et al. 2014
 
|Survey effort: 118.3 km
 
|Survey effort: 118.3 km
Line 87: Line 89:
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2016-2017
 
|2016-2017
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|Northern part of  Gola NP
 
|Northern part of  Gola NP
−
|Line transects (Distance)
+
|Line transects
 +
|
 
|Jones unpublished data
 
|Jones unpublished data
 
|
 
|
Line 98: Line 102:
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2018-2019
 
|2018-2019
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|Northern part of  Gola NP
 
|Northern part of  Gola NP
−
|Line transects (Distance)
+
|Line transects
 +
|
 
|Jones unpublished data
 
|Jones unpublished data
 
|
 
|
Line 109: Line 115:
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2019
 
|2019
 +
|Present
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
−
|Present
 
 
|Eastern part of  Gola NP
 
|Eastern part of  Gola NP
−
|Index survey
+
|Reconnaissance walk
 +
|
 
|ELRECO Nationwide Forest Elephant Status Survey
 
|ELRECO Nationwide Forest Elephant Status Survey
 
|
 
|
Line 119: Line 127:
 
|}
 
|}
  
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= Threats =     <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
+
= Threats =
  
 
Several years of civil conflict in Liberia (1989-2003) led to the encroachment of Gola National Forest by displaced people and increased illegal mining and farming activities, as well as bushmeat hunting (Hoke et al. 2007). Illegal mining and logging activities were particularly aggravated by the civil wars (Hoke et al. 2007). Other major threats include bushmeat hunting and illegal farming activities (Hoke et al. 2007). Furthermore, since the end of the second civil war, the interest from international logging and mining companies to extract timber and mineral resources in the country was renewed (Tweh et al. 2014). In 2005, two mining companies were large-scale prospecting at Gola National Forest (Barrie et al. 2007).
 
Several years of civil conflict in Liberia (1989-2003) led to the encroachment of Gola National Forest by displaced people and increased illegal mining and farming activities, as well as bushmeat hunting (Hoke et al. 2007). Illegal mining and logging activities were particularly aggravated by the civil wars (Hoke et al. 2007). Other major threats include bushmeat hunting and illegal farming activities (Hoke et al. 2007). Furthermore, since the end of the second civil war, the interest from international logging and mining companies to extract timber and mineral resources in the country was renewed (Tweh et al. 2014). In 2005, two mining companies were large-scale prospecting at Gola National Forest (Barrie et al. 2007).
  
−
 
+
'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Gola Forest National Park'''
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'''Table 3: Threats to great apes in Gola Forest National Park'''
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Threats-table"
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
+
!Category
−
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
+
!Specific threats
−
!Specific threats   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
+
!Threat level
−
!Threat level       <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: unknown, low, high -->
+
!Description
−
!Quantified severity <!-- e.g., encounter rate, number of miners etc. (with reference)-->
+
!Year of threat
−
!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
+
|-
−
!Year of threat     <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets-->
+
|7 Natural system modifications
 +
|
 +
|Absent
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1. Residential & commercial development
+
|8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases
−
|1.1 Housing & Urban Areas
+
|
−
|Present
+
|Absent
 +
|
 
|
 
|
−
|Illegal settlement of displaced people due to civil conflict (Hoke et al. 2007)
 
−
|1989-2003
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
+
|10 Geological events
−
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
+
|
−
|Present
+
|Absent
 +
|
 
|
 
|
−
|Illegal farming activities (Hoke et al. 2007)
 
−
|Ongoing (2007)
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|3. Energy production & mining
+
|3 Energy production & mining
 
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
 
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
−
|High
+
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
−
|
 
 
|Illegal artisanal mining, especially during the Liberian civil wars (Barrie et al. 2007, Tweh et al. 2014)
 
|Illegal artisanal mining, especially during the Liberian civil wars (Barrie et al. 2007, Tweh et al. 2014)
 
|Ongoing (2014)
 
|Ongoing (2014)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|4. Transportation & service corridors
+
|5 Biological resource use
−
|4.1 Roads & railroads
+
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
−
|Present
+
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
−
|
 
−
|Trails created by heavy machinery and poachers (Barrie et al. 2007)
 
−
|2005
 
−
|-
 
−
|5. Biological resource use
 
−
|5.1 Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals
 
−
|High
 
−
|
 
 
|Bushmeat hunting (Barrie et al. 2007, Tweh et al. 2014, Jones et al. 2019 a,b)
 
|Bushmeat hunting (Barrie et al. 2007, Tweh et al. 2014, Jones et al. 2019 a,b)
 
|Ongoing (2014)
 
|Ongoing (2014)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
|5 Biological resource use
 
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
 
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
−
|High
+
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
−
|
 
 
|Logging and pit-sawing (Hoke et al. 2007)
 
|Logging and pit-sawing (Hoke et al. 2007)
 
|Ongoing (2007)
 
|Ongoing (2007)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
+
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
 
|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
 
|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
−
|High
+
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
−
|
 
 
|Two civil wars resulted in the encroachment of the park by displaced people; illegal mining and logging activities were also  aggravated during this time (Hoke et al. 2007)
 
|Two civil wars resulted in the encroachment of the park by displaced people; illegal mining and logging activities were also  aggravated during this time (Hoke et al. 2007)
 
|1989-2003
 
|1989-2003
 
|-
 
|-
−
|7. Natural system modifications
+
|1 Residential & commercial development
−
|
+
|1.1 Residential areas
−
|Absent
+
|Present (unknown severity)
−
|
+
|Illegal settlement of displaced people due to civil conflict (Hoke et al. 2007)
−
|
+
|1989-2003
−
|
+
|-
 +
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
 +
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
 +
|Present (unknown severity)
 +
|Illegal farming activities (Hoke et al. 2007)
 +
|Ongoing (2007)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
+
|4 Transportation & service corridors
−
|
+
|4.1 Roads & railroads
−
|Absent
+
|Present (unknown severity)
−
|
+
|Trails created by heavy machinery and poachers (Barrie et al. 2007)
−
|
+
|2005
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|9. Pollution
+
|9 Pollution
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|10. Geological Events
+
|11 Climate change & severe weather
−
|
 
−
|Absent
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
+
|12 Other threat
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|}
 +
 +
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
 +
= Conservation activities =
 +
 +
The site is part of BirdLife International´s ([http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/programmes/forests-hope Forests of Hope program]), which aims to restore natural forests and support their long-term management. BirdLife International is also carrying out ([https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/tropical-forests-research/ monitoring projects]) in the site. As part of the ([https://www.scnlliberia.org/our-work GolaMa Project]), the Society for Conservation of Nature in Liberia (SCNL) works to manage and protect the surrounding parts of the Gola forest that are not protected.
 +
 +
'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Gola Forest National Park'''
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Conservation_activities-table"
 +
!Category
 +
!Specific activity
 +
!Description
 +
!Implementing organization(s)
 +
!Year of activity
 +
|-
 +
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
 +
|2.1 Implement road blocks to inspect cars for illegal ape bushmeat
 +
|Road blocks to inspect bushmeat traders (Jones et al. 2019b)
 
|
 
|
 +
|Ongoing (2019)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|12. Other options
+
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
 +
|2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
 +
|Forest guards of the Forestry Development Authority conduct poaching patrols (BirdLife International 2014)
 
|
 
|
−
|Unknown
+
|Ongoing (2014)
 +
|-
 +
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
 +
|2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of patrols
 +
|Monitoring work done by BirdLife International (RSPB 2018)
 
|
 
|
 +
|Ongoing (2018)
 +
|-
 +
|5 Protection & restoration
 +
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
 +
|the area was designated as National Park in 2016 (Rainforest Trust 2018)
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Ongoing (2018)
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
−
[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 list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 +
= Challenges =
  
−
The site is part of BirdLife International´s ([http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/programmes/forests-hope Forests of Hope program]), which aims to restore natural forests and support their long-term management. BirdLife International is also carrying out ([https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/tropical-forests-research/ monitoring projects]) in the site. As part of the ([https://www.scnlliberia.org/our-work GolaMa Project]), the Society for Conservation of Nature in Liberia (SCNL) works to manage and protect the surrounding parts of the Gola forest that are not protected.
 
−
Jones et al. (2019a) used cluster analysis to group hunters based on their behavioural and demographic profiles. It showed that groups with different hunting impacts also had distinct livelihood profiles, so would probably be expected to respond differently to different interventions. In a further survey of the same park-adjacent villages, Jones et al (2019b) gives a description of the species hunted and the financial returns obtained by hunters and traders. Chimpanzees and several other threatened taxa were recorded among hunters catch. The study found that traders were highly discouraged from continuing their activities by law enforcement efforts at road blocks. A household survey conducted in 2017 and 2019 found bushmeat hunting levels remained relatively unchanged at about 30-40% of households, whereas bushmeat trading may have decreased somewhat (from about 40 to 20%). This is most likely to be related to increased law enforcement efforts and meat confiscations.
 
  
  
−
'''Table 4: Conservation activities in Gola Forest National Park'''
+
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Gola Forest National Park'''
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Challenges-table"
−
!align="left"|Category  <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
+
!Challenges
−
!Specific activity    <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
+
!Specific challenges
−
!Description        <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
+
!Source
−
!Year of activity        <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets -->
+
!Year(s)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1. Residential & commercial development
+
|4 Institutional support
−
|Not reported
+
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
−
|
+
|Barrie et al. 2007, Jones et al. 2019a
 
|
 
|
 +
|}
 +
 +
= Enablers =
 +
 +
 +
 +
'''Table 6. Enablers reported for Gola Forest National Park'''
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="enabler-table"
 +
!Enablers
 +
!Specific enablers
 +
!Source
 +
!Year(s)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
+
|1 Site management
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
|3. Energy production & mining
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|4. Transportation & service corridors
+
|2 Resources and capacity
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|5. Biological resource use
 
−
|5.4. Implement road blocks to inspect cars for illegal primate bushmeat
 
−
|Road blocks to inspect bushmeat traders (Jones et al. 2019b)
 
−
|Ongoing (2019)
 
−
|-
 
 
|
 
|
−
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
 
−
|Forest guards of the Forestry Development Authority conduct poaching patrols (BirdLife International 2014)
 
−
|Ongoing (2014)
 
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|3 Engaged community
 
|
 
|
−
|5.15. Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g. SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols
 
−
|Monitoring work done by BirdLife International (RSPB 2018)
 
−
|Ongoing (2018)
 
−
|-
 
−
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|7. Natural system modifications
+
|4 Institutional support
−
|Not reported
 
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|9. Pollution
+
|5 Ecological context
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
|10. Education & Awareness
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|11. Habitat Protection
+
|6 Safety and stability
−
|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat
 
−
|the area was designated as National Park in 2016 (Rainforest Trust 2018)
 
−
|Ongoing (2018)
 
−
|-
 
−
|12. Species Management
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
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|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
−
|
 
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
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[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 
  
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= Impediments = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->
+
= Research activities =
 +
 
 +
Research activities in Gola Forest National Park focus on the monitoring of western chimpanzees (details in section on ape status), the bushmeat trade and appropriate conservation interventions (Jones et al. 2019 a,b; details section on conservation activities).
 +
 
 +
= Documented behaviours =
  
  
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'''Table 5: Impediments reported for Gola Forest National Park'''
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="impediments-table"
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'''Table 7. Behaviours documented for Gola Forest National Park'''
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!align="left"|Impediment  <!-- Do not change categories -->
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviours-table"
−
!Source   <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->
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!Behavior
−
|-
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!Source
−
|Lack of law enforcement
 
−
|Barrie et al. 2007, Jones et al. 2019a
 
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|Not reported
 +
|
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
+
= Exposure to climate change impacts =
  
−
Research activities in Gola Forest National Park focus on the monitoring of western chimpanzee (details in section on ape status), the bushmeat trade and appropriate conservation interventions (Jones et al. 2019 a,b; details section on conservation activities).
 
  
  
−
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
+
= External links =
  
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'''Table 6: Great ape behaviors reported for Gola Forest National Park'''
 
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
 
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!align="left"|Behavior  <!-- Do not change categories -->
 
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!Source  <!-- source for behavior -->
 
−
|-
 
−
|Not reported
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
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===Relevant datasets===
 
−
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
 
  
−
<br>
+
= Relevant datasets =
 +
 
 +
 
  
 
= References =
 
= References =
−
Barrie, A., Zwuen, S., Kota, A.N., Lou, M. Sr, Luke, R. 2007. Rapid survey of large mammals of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests. In A Rapid Biological Assessment of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, Liberia (eds P. Hoke, R. Demey & A. Peal), pp. 59–64. Conservation International, Washington, DC, USA.<br>
 
−
BirdLife International. 2014. Are we finally almost there? The Gola Forest National Park gazettement in Liberia: an update. Online: https://www.birdlife.org/africa/news/are-we-finally-almost-there-gola-forest-national-park-gazettement-liberia-update <br>
 
−
BirdLife International. 2019. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lofa-Gola-Mano Complex. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/03/2019.<br>
 
−
Hoke, P., R. Demey and A. Peal (eds.). 2007. A rapid biological assessment of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, Liberia. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 44. Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA. <br>
 
−
Jones S et al. 2019a. Audience segmentation to improve targeting of conservation interventions for hunters: Audience Segmentation. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13275.<br>
 
−
Jones, S. et al. 2019b. Incentives and social relationships of hunters and traders in a Liberian bushmeat system. Biol. Conserv. 237, 338–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.06.006<br>
 
−
Rainforest Trust. 2018. Liberia Marks Official Launch of Gola Forest National Park With Community Ceremony. Online: https://www.rainforesttrust.org/liberia-marks-official-launch-of-gola-forest-national-park-with-community-ceremony/ <br>
 
−
RSPB. 2019. Tropical Forests Research. Online: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/tropical-forests-research/) <br>
 
−
Tweh, C., Lormie, M., Kouakou, C.Y., Hillers, A., Kühl, H.S., Junker, J., et al. 2014. Conservation status of chimpanzees Pan troglodytes verus and other large mammals in Liberia: a nationwide survey. Oryx, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605313001191 <br>
 
  
−
<br>
+
Barrie, A., Zwuen, S., Kota, A.N., Lou, M. Sr, Luke, R. 2007. Rapid survey of large mammals of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests. In A Rapid Biological Assessment of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, Liberia (eds P. Hoke, R. Demey & A. Peal), pp. 59–64. Conservation International, Washington, DC, USA.
−
'''Page completed by:''' A.P.E.S. Wiki Team, Martina Vogt & Sorrel Jones '''Date:''' 12/12/2019  <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
+
 
−
<br><br>
+
BirdLife International. 2014. Are we finally almost there? The Gola Forest National Park gazettement in Liberia: an update. Online: https://www.birdlife.org/africa/news/are-we-finally-almost-there-gola-forest-national-park-gazettement-liberia-update
 +
 
 +
BirdLife International. 2019. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lofa-Gola-Mano Complex. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/03/2019.
 +
 
 +
Hoke, P., R. Demey and A. Peal (eds.). 2007. A rapid biological assessment of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, Liberia. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 44. Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA.
 +
 
 +
Jones S et al. 2019a. Audience segmentation to improve targeting of conservation interventions for hunters: Audience Segmentation. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13275.
 +
 
 +
Jones, S. et al. 2019b. Incentives and social relationships of hunters and traders in a Liberian bushmeat system. Biol. Conserv. 237, 338–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.06.006
 +
 
 +
Rainforest Trust. 2018. Liberia Marks Official Launch of Gola Forest National Park With Community Ceremony. Online: https://www.rainforesttrust.org/liberia-marks-official-launch-of-gola-forest-national-park-with-community-ceremony/
 +
 
 +
RSPB. 2019. Tropical Forests Research. Online: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/tropical-forests-research/)
 +
 
 +
Tweh, C., Lormie, M., Kouakou, C.Y., Hillers, A., Kühl, H.S., Junker, J., et al. 2014. Conservation status of chimpanzees Pan troglodytes verus and other large mammals in Liberia: a nationwide survey. Oryx, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605313001191
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Page created by: '''Martina Vogt & Sorrel Jones''' Date:''' NA

Latest revision as of 09:51, 18 March 2025

West Africa > Liberia > Gola Forest National Park

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Summary

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  • Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) are present in Gola Forest National Park.
  • It has been estimated that 94 (CI: 225-539) individuals occur in the site.
  • The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
  • This site has a total size of 880 km².
  • Key threats to chimpanzees are hunting and habitat disturbance due to illegal farming, logging and mining activities.
  • BirdLife International, the Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia, and the Forestry Development Authority of Liberia worked together on the establishment of Gola Forest National Park; these are also the main organizations implementing conservation activities in the park.
  • Gola Forest National Park is adjacent to the Gola Rainforest National Park in Sierra Leone, forming a transboundary peace park.


Site characteristics

Situated in northwest Liberia, the site was first classified as a National Forest in 1960 (Hoke et al. 2007), and designated as National Park in 2016 (Rainforest Trust 2018). The park is located in the Upper Guinea Forest of West Africa, a biodiversity hotspot with very high rates of endemism (Hoke et al. 2007). In addition to chimpanzees, other endangered mammal species occur, including Jentink’s duiker (Cephalophus jentinki), forest elephant (Loxodonta africana), pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis), leopard (Panthera pardus), and bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) (Barrie et al. 2007). The site has also been declared an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International 2019). Gola Forest National Park is strategically connected to Sierra Leone’s Gola Rainforest National Park to establish a bi-national peace park (Rainforest Trust 2018).

Table 1. Basic site information for Gola Forest National Park

Species 'Pan troglodytes verus
Area 880 km²
Coordinates Lat: 7.48 , Lon: -10.81
Type of site Protected area (National Park)
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest
Type of governance

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Ape status

The most recent estimate of chimpanzee abundance was 94 individuals in the year 2012 (Tweh et al. 2014).

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Gola Forest National Park

Species Year Occurrence Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Abundance estimate (95% CI) Survey area Sampling method Analytical framework Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan troglodytes verus 2005 Gola National Forest Genetic (dung/hair), Reconnaissance walk Barrie et al. 2007 Only hunters reported that chimpanzees were still present in parts of the forest
Pan troglodytes verus 2012 0.110 94 (225-539) Gola National Forest Line transects Tweh et al. 2014 Survey effort: 118.3 km
Pan troglodytes verus 2016-2017 Northern part of Gola NP Line transects Jones unpublished data
Pan troglodytes verus 2018-2019 Northern part of Gola NP Line transects Jones unpublished data
Pan troglodytes verus 2019 Present Eastern part of Gola NP Reconnaissance walk ELRECO Nationwide Forest Elephant Status Survey

Threats

Several years of civil conflict in Liberia (1989-2003) led to the encroachment of Gola National Forest by displaced people and increased illegal mining and farming activities, as well as bushmeat hunting (Hoke et al. 2007). Illegal mining and logging activities were particularly aggravated by the civil wars (Hoke et al. 2007). Other major threats include bushmeat hunting and illegal farming activities (Hoke et al. 2007). Furthermore, since the end of the second civil war, the interest from international logging and mining companies to extract timber and mineral resources in the country was renewed (Tweh et al. 2014). In 2005, two mining companies were large-scale prospecting at Gola National Forest (Barrie et al. 2007).

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Gola Forest National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Description Year of threat
7 Natural system modifications Absent
8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases Absent
10 Geological events Absent
3 Energy production & mining 3.2 Mining & quarrying High (more than 70% of population affected) Illegal artisanal mining, especially during the Liberian civil wars (Barrie et al. 2007, Tweh et al. 2014) Ongoing (2014)
5 Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals High (more than 70% of population affected) Bushmeat hunting (Barrie et al. 2007, Tweh et al. 2014, Jones et al. 2019 a,b) Ongoing (2014)
5 Biological resource use 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting High (more than 70% of population affected) Logging and pit-sawing (Hoke et al. 2007) Ongoing (2007)
6 Human intrusions & disturbance 6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises High (more than 70% of population affected) Two civil wars resulted in the encroachment of the park by displaced people; illegal mining and logging activities were also aggravated during this time (Hoke et al. 2007) 1989-2003
1 Residential & commercial development 1.1 Residential areas Present (unknown severity) Illegal settlement of displaced people due to civil conflict (Hoke et al. 2007) 1989-2003
2 Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops Present (unknown severity) Illegal farming activities (Hoke et al. 2007) Ongoing (2007)
4 Transportation & service corridors 4.1 Roads & railroads Present (unknown severity) Trails created by heavy machinery and poachers (Barrie et al. 2007) 2005
9 Pollution Unknown
11 Climate change & severe weather Unknown
12 Other threat Unknown

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

The site is part of BirdLife International´s (Forests of Hope program), which aims to restore natural forests and support their long-term management. BirdLife International is also carrying out (monitoring projects) in the site. As part of the (GolaMa Project), the Society for Conservation of Nature in Liberia (SCNL) works to manage and protect the surrounding parts of the Gola forest that are not protected.

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Gola Forest National Park

Category Specific activity Description Implementing organization(s) Year of activity
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.1 Implement road blocks to inspect cars for illegal ape bushmeat Road blocks to inspect bushmeat traders (Jones et al. 2019b) Ongoing (2019)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols Forest guards of the Forestry Development Authority conduct poaching patrols (BirdLife International 2014) Ongoing (2014)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of patrols Monitoring work done by BirdLife International (RSPB 2018) Ongoing (2018)
5 Protection & restoration 5.2 Legally protect ape habitat the area was designated as National Park in 2016 (Rainforest Trust 2018) Ongoing (2018)

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Gola Forest National Park

Challenges Specific challenges Source Year(s)
4 Institutional support 4.1 Lack of law enforcement Barrie et al. 2007, Jones et al. 2019a

Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for Gola Forest National Park

Enablers Specific enablers Source Year(s)
1 Site management
2 Resources and capacity
3 Engaged community
4 Institutional support
5 Ecological context
6 Safety and stability

Research activities

Research activities in Gola Forest National Park focus on the monitoring of western chimpanzees (details in section on ape status), the bushmeat trade and appropriate conservation interventions (Jones et al. 2019 a,b; details section on conservation activities).

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Gola Forest National Park

Behavior Source
Not reported

Exposure to climate change impacts

External links

Relevant datasets

References

Barrie, A., Zwuen, S., Kota, A.N., Lou, M. Sr, Luke, R. 2007. Rapid survey of large mammals of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests. In A Rapid Biological Assessment of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, Liberia (eds P. Hoke, R. Demey & A. Peal), pp. 59–64. Conservation International, Washington, DC, USA.

BirdLife International. 2014. Are we finally almost there? The Gola Forest National Park gazettement in Liberia: an update. Online: https://www.birdlife.org/africa/news/are-we-finally-almost-there-gola-forest-national-park-gazettement-liberia-update

BirdLife International. 2019. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lofa-Gola-Mano Complex. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/03/2019.

Hoke, P., R. Demey and A. Peal (eds.). 2007. A rapid biological assessment of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, Liberia. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 44. Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA.

Jones S et al. 2019a. Audience segmentation to improve targeting of conservation interventions for hunters: Audience Segmentation. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13275.

Jones, S. et al. 2019b. Incentives and social relationships of hunters and traders in a Liberian bushmeat system. Biol. Conserv. 237, 338–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.06.006

Rainforest Trust. 2018. Liberia Marks Official Launch of Gola Forest National Park With Community Ceremony. Online: https://www.rainforesttrust.org/liberia-marks-official-launch-of-gola-forest-national-park-with-community-ceremony/

RSPB. 2019. Tropical Forests Research. Online: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/tropical-forests-research/)

Tweh, C., Lormie, M., Kouakou, C.Y., Hillers, A., Kühl, H.S., Junker, J., et al. 2014. Conservation status of chimpanzees Pan troglodytes verus and other large mammals in Liberia: a nationwide survey. Oryx, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605313001191


Page created by: Martina Vogt & Sorrel Jones Date: NA

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