Difference between revisions of "Bia Conservation Area"
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
[[West Africa]] > [[Ghana]] > [[Bia Conservation Area]] | [[West Africa]] > [[Ghana]] > [[Bia Conservation Area]] | ||
| + | Cite as: Danquah, E. & Ofori-Amanfo, R. (2023) Bia Conservation Area. A.P.E.S. Wiki. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://wiki.iucnapesportal.org/index.php/Bia_Conservation_Area | ||
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map --> | = Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map --> | ||
<div style="float: right"> | <div style="float: right"> | ||
| Line 24: | Line 25: | ||
= 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 --> | ||
[[File: chimpanzee_OforiAmanfo.jpg | 400px | thumb| right | Chimpanzee captured on a camera trap © Richard Ofori-Amanfo]] | [[File: chimpanzee_OforiAmanfo.jpg | 400px | thumb| right | Chimpanzee captured on a camera trap © Richard Ofori-Amanfo]] | ||
| − | The Bia Conservation Area (BCA) forms a 306km2 block in the moist evergreen and moist semi-deciduous forest zones of western Ghana | + | The Bia Conservation Area (BCA) forms a 306km2 block in the moist evergreen and moist semi-deciduous forest zones of western Ghana, between the Bia River and the border with Côte d’Ivoire. Bia National Park and Bia Resource Reserve are twin Protected Areas known as Bia Conservation Area. Bia Conservation Area covers a total area of 306 km2. Bia National Park is 78 km2 and Bia Resource Reserve is 228 km2. The BCA was originally part of a larger (about 1500km2) ecosystem for forest elephants known as the Bia Group of Forest Reserves. However, the Bia elephant range has reduced over time due to clearance for cocoa cultivation, and is now an isolated population in an ecological island of forest with hard boundaries and no transitional zone to farmland (PADP 2001). |
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Bia Conservation Area''' | '''Table 1. Basic site information for Bia Conservation Area''' | ||
Revision as of 03:32, 3 July 2023
West Africa > Ghana > Bia Conservation Area
Cite as: Danquah, E. & Ofori-Amanfo, R. (2023) Bia Conservation Area. A.P.E.S. Wiki. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://wiki.iucnapesportal.org/index.php/Bia_Conservation_Area
Summary
- Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) are present in the Bia Conservation Area.
- The population size is estimated at 34 weaned individuals.
- The chimpanzee population trend is decreasing.
- The site has a total size of 306 km².
- Illegal hunting is the main threat.
- Conservation activities have focused on anti-poaching patrols.
Site characteristics
The Bia Conservation Area (BCA) forms a 306km2 block in the moist evergreen and moist semi-deciduous forest zones of western Ghana, between the Bia River and the border with Côte d’Ivoire. Bia National Park and Bia Resource Reserve are twin Protected Areas known as Bia Conservation Area. Bia Conservation Area covers a total area of 306 km2. Bia National Park is 78 km2 and Bia Resource Reserve is 228 km2. The BCA was originally part of a larger (about 1500km2) ecosystem for forest elephants known as the Bia Group of Forest Reserves. However, the Bia elephant range has reduced over time due to clearance for cocoa cultivation, and is now an isolated population in an ecological island of forest with hard boundaries and no transitional zone to farmland (PADP 2001).
Table 1. Basic site information for Bia Conservation Area
| Area | 306 km² |
| Coordinates | 6.481132, -3.112847 |
| Designation | Conservation Area |
| Habitat types | Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest |
IUCN habitat categories Site designations
Ape status
Wildlife patrol team encounters with chimpanzee signs indicate a decreasing trend (Danquah, E., pers. comm. 2022).
Table 2. Ape population estimates in Bia Conservation Area
| 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 | 2019-2020 | 34 | Bia Conservation Area | Line transects (Distance) | Ofori-Amanfo, R. pers comm. 2023 | Estimate for weaned individuals |
Threats
A total of 3,721 illegal human signs which are threats to the subspecies were recorded in 2021 and provided an overall encounter rate of 5.69 human signs per a kilometre walk. Three major threats among these were cartridge case (45.9%), wire snare (29.4%) and illegal logging (14.2%) (Danquah, E., pers. comm. 2022). Poachers still poach in the park, and set snares that also affect chimpanzees. The chimpanzees also raid crops, resulting in conflicts between them and farmers.
Table 3. Threats to apes in Bia Conservation Area
| 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 | 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Medium | 5.69 human signs/km | Cartridge cases and wire snares (Danquah, E. pers. comm. 2022). | Ongoing (2022) |
| 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 | Absent |
Conservation activities
Bia Conservation Area is a protected area so there are dedicated staff who patrol inside the Park to protect the resources including the chimpanzees. There is also a community outreach team that goes to the communities to educate them about the need to conserve natural resources including the chimpanzees. Ghana's Wildlife Division is responsible for maintaining law and order within the protected area.
Table 4. Conservation activities in Bia Conservation Area
| 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 | Wildlife patrol teams regularly conduct law enforcement duties within and around the protected area (Danquah, E., 2022). | Ongoing (2022) |
| 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 | Community outreach team that goes to the communities to educate them about the need to conserve natural resources including the chimpanzees. | Ongoing (2023) |
| 11. Habitat Protection | Not reported | ||
| 12. Species Management | Not reported | ||
| 13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives | Not reported |
Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)
Challenges
The Ghana Wildlife Division has few staff and resources to conduct effective and regular anti-poaching activities within and around the protected area. Inadequate staff, field equipment, vehicles etc. hinder effective protection of the chimpanzees.
Table 5. Challenges reported for Bia Conservation Area
| Challenge | Source |
|---|---|
| Lack of logistical means | Danquah, E. pers. observation 2022 |
Research activities
Bia Conservation Area is part of the Pan African Programme: The Cultured Chimpanzee (PanAf).
Documented behaviours
Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Bia Conservation Area
| Behavior | Source |
|---|---|
| Not reported |
External links
References
Page completed by: Emmanuel Danquah & Richard Ofori-Amanfo Date: 15/02/2023