Peri-urban conservation in the Mondah forest of Libreville, Gabon: Red List assessments of endemic plant species, and avoiding protected area downsizing

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_D5DD5470985B
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Peri-urban conservation in the Mondah forest of Libreville, Gabon: Red List assessments of endemic plant species, and avoiding protected area downsizing
Journal
Oryx : The International Journal of Conservation
Author(s)
Walters G., Ngagnia Ndjabounda E., Ikabanga D., Biteau J. P., Hymas O., White L. J. T., Ndong Obiang A.-M., Ndong Ondo P., Jeffery K. J., Lachenaud O., Stévart T.
ISSN
0030-6053 (Print)
1365-3008 (Online)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
07/2016
Volume
50
Number
3
Pages
419-430
Language
english
Abstract
Urban development is an increasing threat to the integrity of formerly remote protected areas, in some cases resulting in their downgrading, downsizing or degazetting. One-quarter of previously remote protected areas are now within 17 km of a city and thus face the threat of urbanization. Here we describe a case of avoided downgrading, downsizing and degazetting of a protected area in the Mondah forest of Gabon, north of Libreville. Since its creation in 1934 the Forêt Classée de la Mondah has been downsized regularly, losing 40% of its area over 80 years. During this time the forest surrounding the Forêt Classée was subject to usage for urban and peri-urban needs, including agriculture, sand extraction, collection of medicinal plants, ceremonies, and housing construction. In 2010 the area was threatened with further downsizing. The presence of narrowly endemic plant species in the area was suspected, and mapping and evaluation of these species was proposed in an effort to maintain the protected area boundaries. Botanical field work, including ex situ conservation measures and participant observation in nearby forest communities, was conducted; 24 endemic species, all threatened by urbanization, were evaluated using the criteria for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The borders of the protected area were maintained because of its role in maintaining irreplaceable habitat for threatened species. The area was renamed Raponda Walker Arboretum in 2012.
Keywords
protected areas, IUCN Red List Threatened Species, Gabon, urbanisation, endemism, plants
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
25/02/2019 17:24
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:55
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