Difference between revisions of "Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest"
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* Key threats to chimpanzees are habitat destruction and fragmentation, leading to chimpanzee-human conflict. | * Key threats to chimpanzees are habitat destruction and fragmentation, leading to chimpanzee-human conflict. | ||
* Conservation activities have focused on education, livelihood support, and biomonitoring. | * Conservation activities have focused on education, livelihood support, and biomonitoring. | ||
| − | [[File: Mobonda_Mangroves.JPG | | + | [[File: Mobonda_Mangroves.JPG | 300px | thumb| right |Mobonda mangroves © TCP]] |
= 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 --> | ||
The Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest (YSF) and Mai-Mokombo Forest (MMF) are in the South East of Moyamba District, Sierra Leone. The sites are located on the shores of the Bagru creek and the Sherbro river. The area includes five small settlements: Mobondah, Yelleh, Sorbengi, Mai, and Mokombo. The two forest blocks are separated by an area of land confirmed through research as a corridor for the movement of chimpanzees and other wildlife known to exist in the area. The corridor area and the core area of the two forests comprise a matrix of vegetation types and features. Vegetation types in the area include: mangroves, primary and secondary growth forest, swamps, grassy savannah, wild oil palm and agricultural lands. The two forests cover approximately 3 sq.km and the swamp/mangrove ecosystems approximately 50 sq.km. The mangroves are part of the Marine Protected Area Shebro River Estuary. The mangroves are categorised among one of the Marine Protected Areas - Shebro River Estuary in Sierra Leone. | The Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest (YSF) and Mai-Mokombo Forest (MMF) are in the South East of Moyamba District, Sierra Leone. The sites are located on the shores of the Bagru creek and the Sherbro river. The area includes five small settlements: Mobondah, Yelleh, Sorbengi, Mai, and Mokombo. The two forest blocks are separated by an area of land confirmed through research as a corridor for the movement of chimpanzees and other wildlife known to exist in the area. The corridor area and the core area of the two forests comprise a matrix of vegetation types and features. Vegetation types in the area include: mangroves, primary and secondary growth forest, swamps, grassy savannah, wild oil palm and agricultural lands. The two forests cover approximately 3 sq.km and the swamp/mangrove ecosystems approximately 50 sq.km. The mangroves are part of the Marine Protected Area Shebro River Estuary. The mangroves are categorised among one of the Marine Protected Areas - Shebro River Estuary in Sierra Leone. | ||
| − | [[File: Swamp on the edge of Yelleh forest.JPG | | + | [[File: Swamp on the edge of Yelleh forest.JPG | 300px | thumb| right |Swamp on the edge of Yelleh forest © TCP]] |
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest''' | '''Table 1. Basic site information for Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest''' | ||
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= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results --> | = Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results --> | ||
| − | [[File: Mobonda Community_forest_chimps.JPG | | + | [[File: Mobonda Community_forest_chimps.JPG | 300px | thumb| right | © TCP]] |
Conservation activities involving the use of camera traps and reconnaissance walks have revealed and confirmed evidence of the presence of chimpanzee thriving at the sites through direct capture on camera traps in three successive years: 2016, 2018 and 2019, and indirect signs (nests, trail, feeding remain on fruits and oil palm tops) encountered during the camera trap survey periods (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). Density and abundance estimates were not provided for all three studies. Reported so far are: capture locations of chimpanzees on camera traps and the identification of chimpanzee individuals based on facial and body features as well as individual characteristics such as injuries, and estimated their number, gender. On one event of camera capture of the species, the maximum numbers reported of different individuals were 8 individuals (2016), 5 individuals (2018) and 4 individuals (2019) (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). | Conservation activities involving the use of camera traps and reconnaissance walks have revealed and confirmed evidence of the presence of chimpanzee thriving at the sites through direct capture on camera traps in three successive years: 2016, 2018 and 2019, and indirect signs (nests, trail, feeding remain on fruits and oil palm tops) encountered during the camera trap survey periods (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). Density and abundance estimates were not provided for all three studies. Reported so far are: capture locations of chimpanzees on camera traps and the identification of chimpanzee individuals based on facial and body features as well as individual characteristics such as injuries, and estimated their number, gender. On one event of camera capture of the species, the maximum numbers reported of different individuals were 8 individuals (2016), 5 individuals (2018) and 4 individuals (2019) (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). | ||
Revision as of 07:56, 26 January 2023
West Africa > Sierra Leone > Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest
Summary
- Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) are present in Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest.
- The population size is unknown.
- The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
- The site has a total size of 50 km².
- Key threats to chimpanzees are habitat destruction and fragmentation, leading to chimpanzee-human conflict.
- Conservation activities have focused on education, livelihood support, and biomonitoring.
Site characteristics
The Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest (YSF) and Mai-Mokombo Forest (MMF) are in the South East of Moyamba District, Sierra Leone. The sites are located on the shores of the Bagru creek and the Sherbro river. The area includes five small settlements: Mobondah, Yelleh, Sorbengi, Mai, and Mokombo. The two forest blocks are separated by an area of land confirmed through research as a corridor for the movement of chimpanzees and other wildlife known to exist in the area. The corridor area and the core area of the two forests comprise a matrix of vegetation types and features. Vegetation types in the area include: mangroves, primary and secondary growth forest, swamps, grassy savannah, wild oil palm and agricultural lands. The two forests cover approximately 3 sq.km and the swamp/mangrove ecosystems approximately 50 sq.km. The mangroves are part of the Marine Protected Area Shebro River Estuary. The mangroves are categorised among one of the Marine Protected Areas - Shebro River Estuary in Sierra Leone.
Table 1. Basic site information for Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest
| Area | 50 km² |
| Coordinates | 7.770640, -12.549755 |
| Designation | Community forest |
| Habitat types | Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical/tropical swamp forest, savanna |
IUCN habitat categories Site designations
Ape status
Conservation activities involving the use of camera traps and reconnaissance walks have revealed and confirmed evidence of the presence of chimpanzee thriving at the sites through direct capture on camera traps in three successive years: 2016, 2018 and 2019, and indirect signs (nests, trail, feeding remain on fruits and oil palm tops) encountered during the camera trap survey periods (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). Density and abundance estimates were not provided for all three studies. Reported so far are: capture locations of chimpanzees on camera traps and the identification of chimpanzee individuals based on facial and body features as well as individual characteristics such as injuries, and estimated their number, gender. On one event of camera capture of the species, the maximum numbers reported of different individuals were 8 individuals (2016), 5 individuals (2018) and 4 individuals (2019) (Garriga & Kanneh 2022).
Table 2. Ape population estimates in Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest
| Species | Year | Abundance estimate (95% CI) | Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) | Encounter rate (nests/km) | Area | Method | Source | Comments | A.P.E.S. database ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pan troglodytes verus | 2016 | Present | YSF and MMF | Camera trap and index survey | Garriga 2016, 2018 and 2019 | Camera trap and reconnaissance walks | |||
| Pan troglodytes verus | 2018 | Present | YSF and MMF | Camera trap and index survey | Garriga 2016, 2018 and 2019 | Camera trap and reconnaissance walks | |||
| Pan troglodytes verus | 2019 | Present | YSF and MMF | Camera trap and index survey | Garriga 2016, 2018 and 2019 | Camera trap and reconnaissance walks |
Threats
Threats to the conservation of the species are limited at this site. The main threat is the reduction and disappearance of suitable habitats for their movements and survival mainly due to deforestation from slash and burn agriculture for cassava, rice and groundnut cultivation in the area. This is gradually leaving the chimpanzee population vulnerable to human conflicts, as the remaining patch of chimpanzee habitats overlaps with human settlements and cultivated areas thereby resulting in first crop raiding and then human wildlife conflict where chimpanzees have been killed in the process (Garriga & Kanneh 2022).
Table 3. Threats to apes in Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest
| Category | Specific threats | Threat level | Quantified severity | Description | Year of threat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Residential & commercial development | Unknown | ||||
| 2. Agriculture & aquaculture | Unknown | ||||
| 3. Energy production & mining | Unknown | ||||
| 4. Transportation & service corridors | Unknown | ||||
| 5. Biological resource use | Unknown | ||||
| 6. Human intrusion & disturbance | Unknown | ||||
| 7. Natural system modifications | Unknown | ||||
| 8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases | Unknown | ||||
| 9. Pollution | Unknown | ||||
| 10. Geological Events | Absent | ||||
| 11. Climate change & severe weather | Unknown | ||||
| 12. Other options | Present, but threat severity unknown | Human-chimpanzee conflict due to habitat fragmentation, destruction and reduction (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). | Ongoing (2022) |
Conservation activities
Table 4. Conservation activities in Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest
| 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 | 5.15. Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g. SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols | Community bio-monitoring and forest patrols implemented by Tacugama (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). | 2018- 2020 |
| 6. Human intrusion & 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 | 10.1. Educate local communities about primates and sustainable use | Introduction of the Tacugama Kids Environmental Education Program (TKEEP) in two schools and regular training community bio-monitors (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). | 2018- 2020 |
| 11. Habitat Protection | Not reported | ||
| 12. Species Management | Not reported | ||
| 13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives | 13.2. Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. better education, infrastructure development) | Livelihood support projects organized by Tacugama, including agricultural seed support (rice and groundnuts) and sustainable oyster farming (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). | 2018- 2020 |
| 13.3. Run research project and ensure permanent human presence at site | Research through camera trapping and reconnaissance walks implemented by Tacugama (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). | 2018- 2020 |
Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)
Challenges
Addressing the human-chimpanzee conflict is a serious challenge at this site with limited livelihood intervention for the local population at the conservation area. At present there is no ongoing conservation project to complement previous conservation efforts and promote continuity. Establishment and strengthening of local bylaws as the forest area is owned by the surrounding communities (Garriga & Kanneh 2022).
Table 5. Challenges reported for Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest
| Challenge | Source |
|---|---|
| Lack of financial means | Garriga & Kanneh 2022 |
| Lack of trust and support from local communities | Garriga & Kanneh 2022 |
Research activities
Camera trap survey in 2016, 2018 and 2019; biomonitoring initiated in 2018 and presently on hold due to lack of funds. Community needs assessment (compilation of community profile) through questionnaire surveys in 2016 and 2018 (Garriga & Kanneh 2022).
Documented behaviours
High frequency of chimpanzees nesting on palm trees which is not common to other places. This is probably due to the widespread presence of palm trees within the landscape in Sierra Leone and not the same case in other parts of the country (Garriga 2019).
Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest
| Behavior | Source |
|---|---|
| Nesting on palm trees | Garriga 2019 |
External links
References
Garriga, R. & Kanneh, A. (2022, October 20-21). Sierra Leone. Regional workshop on IUCN APES wiki, Monrovia, Liberia.
Garriga R.M., 2019. Mobondah community conservation project Moyamba District, Sierra Leone camera trap surveys. Report, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Freetown Sierra Leone, 27p.
Page completed by: Rosa M. Garriga & Ambrose Bockarie Kanneh Date:19/12/2022