Ouré‐Kaba (with Pinselli and Soyah Classified Forests)
West Africa > Republic of Guinea > Ouré‐Kaba (with Pinselli and Soyah Classified Forests)
Summary
- Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) are present in Ouré-Kaba.
- It has been estimated that 86 (CI: 36-207) individuals occur at the site.
- The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
- This site has a total size of 1.136 km².
- Key threats to chimpanzees are agriculture and livestock farming.
- Conservation activities focus on environmental education and co-management of forests.
- Ouré-Kaba connects the Foutah Djallon with Outamba-Kilimi National Park in Sierra Leone.
Site characteristics
Ouré-Kaba is a sub-prefecture located in the South of the Foutah Djallon in the prefecture of Mamou with a total size of 1.136 km2. The area is characterized by a savanna-forest mosaic impacted by anthropogenic usage for agriculture and cattle grazing. Around 20.600 people live in the area with most of them being farmers and cattle pastoralists, but also hunters, loggers and storekeepers. The area is rugged and part of the Foutah Djallon Plateau, and transversed by many streams including Kaba and Pinselli. The area is important in connecting the Foutah Djallon with the Outamba-Kilimi National Park in northern Sierra Leone. The two Classified Forests of Pinselli (or Pinsely / Pinselly) and Soyah (or Souyah / Soya) are part of Ouré-Kaba. Pinselli CF has a total size of 130.00 km2 and was a wildlife reserve in the 1930s that was open to hunting big game (Kormos et al. 2003, UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019a). It is characterized by a high biodiversity including locally-protected species of duikers, birds, reptiles, and potentially red colobus (JGI 2007 as cited in WCF 2012). Soyah CF has a size of 84.00 km2 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019b). Despite the relatively strong anthropogenic impact, the area harbors a diversity of primate species including western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys), western red colobus (Piliocolobus badius), mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona), Guinea baboons (Papio papio), and patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas, WCF 2012). A survey of Amphibians found 33 amphibin species in the area south of the town Oure Kaba and 27 species in Soyah (Sandberger et al. 2012). However, overall densities of wildlife seem to be rather low (WCF 2012). Ouré-Kaba was identified as an important area for the protection of biodiversity by several programs and researchers: It was identified as a priority area for the protection of the western chimpanzee in the National Action Plan for Chimpanzee Conservation in Guinea from 2005. It was also identified as ‘Priority Zone 1’ by the STEWARD program (Sustainable and Thriving Environments for West African Regional Development funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Forest Service / International Programs (USFS/IP) (WCF 2015). Furthermore, Brugière & Kormos (2009) identified Pinselli and Soyah CFs as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA).
Table 1. Basic site information for Ouré-Kaba
| Area | 1.136 km² |
| Coordinates | 10.07, -11.66 |
| Designation | Pinselli and Soyah designated as Classified Forests (IUCN Management Category not reported) |
| Habitat types | Dry savanna, subtropical/tropical dry shrubland, subtropical/tropical dry forest, permanent rivers, arable land |
Ape status
In the nationwide survey by Rebecca Kormos the presence of chimpanzees around villages throughout Ouré-Kaba was confirmed based on a questionnaire survey (Ham 1998). A transect survey in the same area established relatively low chimpanzee densities (Ham 1998). In 2005 the Jane Goodall Institute started working in the area and found a high biodiversity and the presence of chimps (JGI 2007 as cited in WCF 2012). The associated report is not publicly available. In 2009 the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute UK and the Direction Nationale pour les Eaux et Forêts (DNEF) surveyed an area in the south-west of Ouré-Kaba (WCF 2012). Ouré-Kaba was also surveyed as part of the Foutah Djallon wide survey by the WCF in 2011 and while chimpanzee densities were low, they were present throughout the entire area (WCF 2012).
Table 2. Ape population estimates in Ouré-Kaba
| 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 | 1997 | Present | Villages throughout Oure-Kaba | Interview method | Ham 1998 | Questionnaire survey | |||
| Pan troglodytes verus | 1997 | 0.3 | 4.81 | 10°10'N, 11°50'W | Line transects (Distance) | Ham 1998 | Total survey effort: 5.2 km, 25 nests found | ||
| Pan troglodytes verus | 2005 | Present | Unknown | Unknown | JGI 2007 as cited in WCF 2012 | ||||
| Pan troglodytes verus | 2009 | 86 (36-207) | 0.17 (0.07-0.42) | 1.45 | 490 km2 in South-western Ouré-Kaba | Line transects (Distance) | WCF 2012 | Total survey effort: 47.6 km |
Threats
Large parts of Ouré-Kaba are used for agriculture, including slash and burn practices, and cattle grazing (WCF 2012). The WCF estimated that around one third of the area are used for agriculture. Signs of other human pressures such as hunting, logging, settlements and fire were present, but encounter rates were low (WCF 2012). However, a rapid assessment on the status of classified forests in Guinea by the Program for Environmental Governance in Guinea (PEGG) stated that during political unrest in 2007 and 2008 Pinselli and Soyah were heavily impacted by illegal logging, and that 50 ha of fruit plantation in Pinselli were given to federal employees (PEGG 2012). Hunting pressure is low as local traditions discourage bushmeat consumption, especially for primates and swine (WCF 2012). A railway that would cut through this area, including directly through Pinselli CF has been proposed to transport extracted minerals to ports at the coast of Guinea as part of the Simandou Project (Rio Tinto 2013). The current status of this project is not clear. In addition, there are plans to develop a hydroelectric site at Kassa very close to the Guinean-Sierra-Leonean border, only 12 km from Pinselli CF that could impact the area. However, while a feasibility study was commissioned, the current status or whether it will be developed is not clear (ECOWAPP 2011).
Table 3. Threats to great apes in Ouré-Kaba
| Category | Specific threats | Threat level | Quantified severity | Description | Year of threat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Residential & commercial development | 1.1 Housing & urban areas | Low | 0.13 villages/km (6 villages, survey effort: 47.6 km, WCF 2012) | Sign of villages (WCF 2012) | Ongoing (2012) |
| 2. Agriculture & aquaculture | 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops | High | 0.82 signs of agriculture/km (39 signs of agriculture, survey effort: 47.6 km, WCF 2012) | 30% of the area used for agriculture (WCF 2012) | Ongoing (2012) |
| 2.3 Livestock farming & ranching | Medium | Signs of cattle grazing in Pinselli CF (WCF 2012) | Ongoing (2012) | ||
| 3. Energy production & mining | Absent | Development of a hydroelectric site including a dam has been proposed (ECOWAPP 2011) | |||
| 4. Transportation & service corridors | 4.1 Roads & railroads | Low | 0.06 roads/km (3 roads, survey effort: 47.6 km, WCF 2012) | Low encounter rate of roads (WCF 2012), railroad proposed that would cut through the area (Rio Tinto 2013) | Ongoing (2012) |
| 5. Biological resource use | 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Low | 0.04 signs of wood extraction/km (2 signs of wood extraction, survey effort: 47.6 km, WCF 2012) | According to one source Pinselli and Soyah were heavily impacted by illegal logging during political instability in 2007/2008 (PEGG 2012) | Ongoing (2012) |
| 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting | Unknown | 0.04 signs of wood extraction/km (2 signs of wood extraction, survey effort: 47.6 km, WCF 2012) | According to one source Pinselli and Soyah were heavily impacted by illegal logging during political instability in 2007/2008 (PEGG 2012) | 2007-2008 | |
| 6. Human intrusions & disturbance | Absent | ||||
| 7. Natural system modifications | 7.1 Fire & fire suppression | Low | 0.04 signs of fire/km (2 signs of fire, survey effort: 47.6 km, WCF 2012) | Signs of fire (WCF 2012) | Ongoing (2012) |
| 8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases | Unknown | ||||
| 9. Pollution | Absent | ||||
| 10. Geological Events | Absent | ||||
| 11. Climate change & severe weather | Unknown | ||||
| 12. Other options | Absent |
Conservation activities
In 2005 JGI started an education and awareness-raising campaign in Ouré-Kaba and neighboring Sierra Leone focused on chimpanzees and biodiversity conservation in general (JGI 2019). Also in 2005 the LAMIL-TBA project (Landscape Management for Improved Livelihoods – transboundary activity) strengthened forest management committees in four villages within and around the Soyah CF to enable a co-management of the remaining forested areas at this site (CIFOR 2008). Co-management contracts were signed with the Ministry of Agriculture of Guinea. This project was managed by CIFOR and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) with the aim to improve local livelihoods while ensuring biodiversity conservation (CIFOR 2008). The project also helped farmers in buffer zones to adapt new agroforestry techniques leading to increase in productivity and diversify their crops. Several forest management committees had decided to ban hunting in the forest and it was reported that this benefited wildlife (CIFOR 2008). The STEWARD program by USAID has been active in the region since 2008 and its aim is to protect biodiversity and improve rural livelihoods in transboundary areas in the Upper Guinean Forest Ecosystem. They also focus on harmonizing policies and legal frameworks regarding management of natural resources (WCF 2015). Specific activities implemented include the creation of a community forest in Ouré-Kaba, and the training of local authorities in using Geographic Information System (WCF 2015). During its survey the WCF noted a high environmental awareness by local communities as a result of the above mentioned projects (WCF 2012).
Table 4. Conservation activities in Ouré-Kaba
| Category | Specific activity | Description | Year of activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Residential & commercial development | Not reported | ||
| 2. Agriculture & aquaculture | 2.11. Farm more intensively and effectively in selected areas and spare more natural land | The LAMIL-TBA project helped farmers to adopt more efficient agroforestry techniques (CIFOR 2008) | Started in 2005, current status unknown |
| 3. Energy production & mining | Not reported | ||
| 4. Transportation & service corridors | Not reported | ||
| 5. Biological resource use | 5.16. Implement community control of patrolling, banning hunting and removing snares | Several forest management committees had decided to ban hunting in the forest (CIFOR 2008) | Started in 2005, current status unknown |
| 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 | 10.1. Educate local communities about primates and sustainable use | JGI conducted education and awareness-raising campaign focused on chimpanzee and biodiversity conservation (JGI 2019) | Started 2005, current status unclear |
| 11. Habitat Protection | 11.2. Legally protect primate habitat | Co-management contracts signed between forest management committees and the Ministry of Agriculture (CIFOR 2008) | Started 2005, current status unclear |
| 12. Species Management | Not reported | ||
| 13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives | 13.1. Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. REDD, employment) | the LAMIL-TBA project supported forest management committees in villages (CIFOR 2008) | since 2005 |
| 13.1. Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. REDD, employment) | the STEWARD program created a community forest (WCF 2015); led to raise in income through increased productivity | 2011-2015 |
Challenges
Table 5. Challenges reported for Ouré-Kaba
| Challenge | Source |
|---|---|
| Not reported |
Research activities
As detailed above several surveys on chimpanzees have been implemented (Ham 1998, JGI 2007, WCF 2012).
Documented behaviours
Table 6. Great ape behaviors reported for Ouré-Kaba
| Behavior | Source |
|---|---|
| Not reported |
References
Brugiere D, Kormos R. 2009. Review of the protected area network in Guinea, West Africa, and recommendations for new sites for biodiversity conservation, Biodiversity and Conservation, 18:847
CIFOR. 2008. Thinking beyond the canopy – annual report. Pp. 28
ECOWAPP. 2011. Final Report Volume 3: Investment program development and priority project implementation strategy. West African Power Pool (WAPP). Report by Tractebel Engineering S.A., Belgium.
Ham R. 1998. Nationwide chimpanzee census and large mammal survey Republic of Guinea
JGI. 2007. Development of a Border Region Conservation Strategy for Targeted Areas in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia Concept Paper, in Chimpanzee Conservation and Sensitization Program, 29 pp.
JGI. 2019. Project Locations: Guinea and Sierra Leone, the Jane Goodall Institute, UK www.janegoodall.org.uk
Kormos R et al. 2003. The Republic of Guinea, in Kormos, R. Boesch, C., Bakarr, M.I. & Butynski, T.M. [eds.] Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK
PEGG. 2012. Current state of the classified and co-managed forests of Balayan Souroumba, Nialama, Sincery Oursa and Souti Yanfou. Program in Environmental Governance in Guinea for Capacity Building and Biodiversity Conservation. A rapid assessment conducted by PEGG, in collaboration with DNEF, BGEEE, and COSIE
Rio Tinto. 2013. Social and Environmental Baseline Study Simandou Project (Guinea) – Rail Component.
Sandberger et al. 2012. Amphibian and reptile survey – Wet season 2011, Final report. Simandou Project (Guinea) Railway component.
UNEP-WCMC, IUCN. 2019a. Protected Planet: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), Cambridge, UK: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN Online: www.protectedplanet.net
UNEP-WCMC, IUCN. 2019b. Protected Planet: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), Cambridge, UK: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN Online: www.protectedplanet.net
WCF. 2012. Etat de la faune et des menaces dans les aires protégées terrestres et principales zones de forte biodiversité de Rep. de Guinée. Report. Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Sangaredi, Republic of Guinea. Online: Wild Chimpanzee Foundation
WCF 2015. Baseline assessment of chimpanzee and elephant populations in the Mano River Union Countries – Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea (2007-2014). Report. Wild Chimpanzee Foundation. Online: Wild Chimpanzee Foundation
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