Difference between revisions of "Gola Forest National Park"

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     rather than several keywords such as "Industrial mining", "Large-scale mining", and "Mining".  
 
     rather than several keywords such as "Industrial mining", "Large-scale mining", and "Mining".  
 
-->
 
-->
−
> [[West Africa]] > [[Liberia]] > [[Gola Forest National Park]]
+
<!-- Please add information for this site -->
 +
[[West Africa]] > [[Liberia]] > [[Gola Forest National Park]]
  
 
= 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 (''Pan troglodytes verus'') are present in Gola Forest National Park.
+
* Western chimpanzees ([https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15935/17989872 ''Pan troglodytes verus'']) are present in Gola Forest National Park.  
−
* The total abundance was 94 (95% CI: 225-539) in 2012.
+
* It has been estimated that 94 (CI: 225-539) individuals occur in the site.  
−
* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
+
* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.  
 
* This site has a total size of 880 km².  
 
* This site has a total size of 880 km².  
−
* Major 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 three 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.  
  
 
= 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 -->
  
−
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 (''Pan troglodytes verus''), other endangered mammal species inhabit the site, including Jentink’s duiker (''Cephalophus jentinki''), forest elephant (''Loxodonta africana cyclotis''), pygmy hippopotamus (''Hexaprotodon liberiensis''), leopard (''Panthera pardus''), bongo (''Tragelaphus euryceros'') (Barrie et al. 2007). The site has also been declared an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (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).
+
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 inhabit the site, including Jentink’s duiker, forest elephant, pygmy hippopotamus, leopard, and bongo (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 '''
+
'''Table 1: Basic site information for Gola Forest National Park'''
 
{| 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    -->
 
|880 km²
 
|880 km²
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Designation:     <!-- Protected area, Forestry concession, Community reserve   -->
+
| Coordinates
 +
|7.497528 N, -10.648257 W
 +
|-
 +
| Designation      <!-- National Park, Nature Reserve, etc.   -->
 
|National Park
 
|National Park
 
|-
 
|-
−
|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 lowland  
+
|Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest
 
|}
 
|}
 
[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 -->
 
= 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 in Gola National Forest was 94 in the year 2012 (Tweh et al. 2014). Due to a lack of survey data, the population trend in unknown.
+
The most recent estimate of chimpanzee abundance was 94 individuals in the year 2012 (Tweh et al. 2014). Due to a lack of survey data, the population trend in unknown.
  
−
'''Table 2: Great ape population estimates in Gola Forest National Park '''
+
'''Table 2: Great ape population estimates in Gola Forest National Park'''
 
{| 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 Interval)
+
! Abundance estimate (95% confidence interval)
−
! Density estimate (per km2)
+
! Density estimate (per km²)
−
! Encounter rate
+
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
 
! Area
 
! Area
 
! Method
 
! Method
Line 55: Line 60:
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Western chimpanzee
+
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2005
 
|2005
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
−
|absent
+
|
 
|Gola National Forest
 
|Gola National Forest
−
|transect survey
+
|Index survey, capture-recapture method
 
|Barrie et al. 2007
 
|Barrie et al. 2007
−
| 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
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Western chimpanzee
+
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2012
 
|2012
−
|94 (CI: 225-539)
+
|94 (225-539)
−
|0.110 individuals/km2
+
|0.110
 
|
 
|
 
|Gola National Forest
 
|Gola National Forest
−
|transect survey
+
|Line transects (Distance)
−
| Tweh et al. 2014
+
|Tweh et al. 2014
−
| survey effort: 118.3 km
+
|survey effort: 118.3 km
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
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!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
−
|1.1 Housing & Urban Areas
+
|1.1 Housing & Urban Areas
−
| present
+
|Present
−
| illegal settlement of displaced people due to civil conflict [1]
+
|
 +
|Illegal settlement of displaced people due to civil conflict (Hoke et al. 2007)
 
|1989-2003
 
|1989-2003
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
−
| 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
+
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
−
| present
+
|Present
−
| illegal farming activities [1]
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|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
−
| illegal artisanal mining, especially during the Liberian civil wars [3, 5]
+
|
−
| ongoing
+
|illegal artisanal mining, especially during the Liberian civil wars (Barrie et al. 2007, Tweh et al. 2014)
 +
|ongoing (2007, 2014)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
−
| 4.1 Roads & railroads
+
|4.1 Roads & railroads
−
| present
+
|Present
−
| trails created by heavy machinery and poachers [3]
+
|
 +
|Trails created by heavy machinery and poachers (Barrie et al. 2007)
 
|2005
 
|2005
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
−
| 5.1 Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals
+
|5.1 Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals
−
| high
+
|High
−
| bushmeat hunting [3, 5]
+
|
−
| ongoing
+
|Bushmeat hunting (Barrie et al. 2007, Tweh et al. 2014)
 +
|ongoing (2007, 2014)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|5. Biological resource use
+
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
−
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
+
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
−
| high
+
|High
−
| logging and pit-sawing [1]
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Logging and pit-sawing (Hoke et al. 2007)
 +
|ongoing (2007)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
+
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
 
|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
−
| high
+
|High
−
| two civil wars resulted in the encroachment of the park by displaced people; illegal mining and logging activities were also aggravated during this time [1]
+
|
 +
|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
+
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|
 
|
−
|absent
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
 
|
 
|
−
|present
 
−
| Ebola virus disease was present in the counties of Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu, where the park is located [6]
 
−
|2014-2016
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|9. Pollution
 
|9. Pollution
 
|
 
|
−
|unknown
+
|Unknown
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 153: Line 161:
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|
 
|
−
|absent
+
|Absent
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 159: Line 168:
 
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
 
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
 
|
 
|
−
|unknown
+
|Unknown
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
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|12. Other options
 
|12. Other options
 
|
 
|
−
|unknown
+
|Unknown
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
[[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 site is part of BirdLife International´s [//https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/programmes/forests-hope Forests of Hope program], which aims to restore natural forests and support their long-term management. [//https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/tropical-forests-research/ BirdLife International] is also carrying out 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.  
+
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.  
−
<br>
 
  
−
'''Table 3: Conservation activities in Gola Forest National Park'''
+
'''Table 4: Conservation activities in Gola Forest National Park'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
 
!align="left"|Category  <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
 
!align="left"|Category  <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
 
!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
−
|absent
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|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
−
| 5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
+
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
−
| forest guards of the Forestry Development Authority conduct poaching patrols [7]
+
|Forest guards of the Forestry Development Authority conduct poaching patrols (BirdLife International 2014)
−
|
+
|ongoing (2014)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|
 
|
−
| 5.15. Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g. SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols
+
|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 [//https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/tropical-forests-research/ BirdLife International]
+
|Monitoring work done by BirdLife International (RSPB 2018)
−
|
+
|ongoing (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
−
|the area was designated as National Park in 2016 [2]
+
|the area was designated as National Park in 2016 (Rainforest Trust 2018)
−
|ongoing
+
|ongoing (2018)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|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 -->
 
= Impediments = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->
  
−
A lack of law enforcement has been cited as major problem, particularly with regards to the enforcement of laws that ban hunting within the protected area (Barrie et al. 2007, Jones et al. 2018).
+
'''Table 5: Impediments reported for Gola Forest National Park'''
−
<br><br>
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="impediments-table"
−
[[Impediments list]]
+
!align="left"|Impediment  <!-- Do not change categories -->
−
<br>
+
!Source  <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->
 +
|-
 +
|Lack of law enforcement
 +
|Barrie et al. 2007, Jones et al. 2019
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
  
−
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities, and keyword list of documented behaviours -->
+
Jones et al. (2019) evaluated the effectiveness of conservation interventions (e.g., participation in livelihood-support programs) in villages adjacent to Gola Forest National Park. The responsiveness of two different target groups (hunting households and high-impact hunters) to the same conservation interventions differed. This implies that audience segmentation could improve the effectiveness of conservation interventions, by targeting specific groups (Jones et al. 2019).
  
−
Jones et al. (2018) evaluated the effectiveness of conservation interventions (e.g., participation in livelihood-support programs) in villages adjacent to Gola Forest National Park. The responsiveness of two different target groups (hunting households and high-impact hunters) to the same conservation interventions differed. This implies that audience segmentation could improve the effectiveness of conservation interventions, by targeting specific groups (Jones et al. 2018).
+
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
  
−
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- Paragraph describing any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
+
'''Table 6: Great ape behaviors reported for Gola Forest National Park'''
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
 +
!align="left"|Behavior  <!-- Do not change categories -->
 +
!Source   <!-- source for behavior -->
 +
|-
 +
|Not reported
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
===Relevant datasets===
 
===Relevant datasets===
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= References =
 
= References =
−
[1] 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>
+
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>
−
[2] Ranforest 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>
+
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>
−
[3] 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. 2019. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lofa-Gola-Mano Complex. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/03/2019.<br>
−
[4] 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>
−
[5] Tweh, C., Kouakou, C.Y., Chira, R., Freeman, B., Githaiga, J.M., Kerwillain, S., Molokwu-Odozi, M., Varney M. and Junker, J.(2018) Nest counts reveal a stable chimpanzee population in Sapo National Park, Liberia. Primate Conservation 2018 (32): 12 pp.<br>
+
Jones S., Keane A., St John F., Vickery J., Papworth S. 2019. Audience segmentation to improve targeting of conservation interventions for hunters: Audience Segmentation. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13275.<br>
−
[6] CDC (2017) 2014-2016 Ebola Outbreak Distribution in West Africa. Online: https://www.cdc.gov <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>
−
[7] 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>
+
RSPB. 2019. Tropical Forests Research. Online: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/tropical-forests-research/) <br>
−
[8] Jones S., Keane A., St John F., Vickery J., Papworth S. (2019) Audience segmentation to improve targeting of conservation interventions for hunters: Audience Segmentation. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13275. <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>
 
<br>
−
'''Page completed by:''' A.P.E.S. Wiki Team '''Date:''' 25/03/19 <!-- 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 '''Date:''' 29/08/2019 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
 
<br><br>
 
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Revision as of 08:41, 28 October 2019

West Africa > Liberia > Gola Forest National Park

Summary

  • 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 inhabit the site, including Jentink’s duiker, forest elephant, pygmy hippopotamus, leopard, and bongo (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

Area 880 km²
Coordinates 7.497528 N, -10.648257 W
Designation National Park
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest

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). Due to a lack of survey data, the population trend in unknown.

Table 2: Great ape population estimates in Gola Forest National Park

Species Year Abundance estimate (95% confidence interval) Density estimate (per km²) Encounter rate (nests/km) Area Method Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan troglodytes verus 2005 Gola National Forest Index survey, capture-recapture method Barrie et al. 2007 Only hunters reported that chimpanzees were still present in parts of the forest
Pan troglodytes verus 2012 94 (225-539) 0.110 Gola National Forest Line transects (Distance) Tweh et al. 2014 survey effort: 118.3 km

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 great apes in Gola Forest National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Quantified severity Description Year of threat
1. Residential & commercial development 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas Present 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 Illegal farming activities (Hoke et al. 2007) ongoing (2007)
3. Energy production & mining 3.2 Mining & quarrying High illegal artisanal mining, especially during the Liberian civil wars (Barrie et al. 2007, Tweh et al. 2014) ongoing (2007, 2014)
4. Transportation & service corridors 4.1 Roads & railroads Present 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) ongoing (2007, 2014)
6. Human intrusions & disturbance 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting High Logging and pit-sawing (Hoke et al. 2007) ongoing (2007)
7. Natural system modifications 6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises High 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
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Absent
9. Pollution Unknown
10. Geological Events Absent
11. Climate change & severe weather Unknown
12. Other options 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 in Gola Forest National Park

Category Specific activity Description Year of activity
1. Residential & commercial development Not reported
2. Agriculture & aquaculture Not reported
3. Energy production & mining Not reported
4. Transportation & service corridors Not reported
5. Biological resource use 5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols Forest guards of the Forestry Development Authority conduct poaching patrols (BirdLife International 2014) ongoing (2014)
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 Not reported
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Not reported
9. Pollution Not reported
10. Education & Awareness Not reported
11. Habitat Protection 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
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives Not reported

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Impediments

Table 5: Impediments reported for Gola Forest National Park

Impediment Source
Lack of law enforcement Barrie et al. 2007, Jones et al. 2019

Research activities

Jones et al. (2019) evaluated the effectiveness of conservation interventions (e.g., participation in livelihood-support programs) in villages adjacent to Gola Forest National Park. The responsiveness of two different target groups (hunting households and high-impact hunters) to the same conservation interventions differed. This implies that audience segmentation could improve the effectiveness of conservation interventions, by targeting specific groups (Jones et al. 2019).

Documented behaviours

Table 6: Great ape behaviors reported for Gola Forest National Park

Behavior Source
Not reported

Relevant datasets

A.P.E.S Portal


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., Keane A., St John F., Vickery J., Papworth S. 2019. Audience segmentation to improve targeting of conservation interventions for hunters: Audience Segmentation. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13275.
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 completed by: A.P.E.S. Wiki Team Date: 29/08/2019

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