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The Gola Forest – The Green Diamond of Sierra Leone
The Gola forest at 750 square km (300 square miles) is Sierra Leone’s most important and most diverse forest. The Forest is a fragment of a once extensive forest belt that stretched across West Africa, commonly know in conservation circles as ‘The Upper Guinea Forest’. The vibrant history of human activity and its impact on these forests been well documented. The biggest impact began in colonial times, where the forests of the interior were heavily exploited. Much forest remains, but there are several, larger key fragments of these forests across the region. The largest of these can be found in Liberia. Most notable are Taï Forest National Park in Ivory Coast, the Gola Forest in Sierra Leone and largest and least known of all; the Lofa-Mano in Liberia. Biological surveysOver the last two years the RSPB, with its partners in Sierra Leone, undertook intensive biological surveys of the entire Gola forest. The survey team led by an RSPB Research Biologist surveyed over 180 km of the forest through the cutting of transects through the forest, identifying, measuring and counting trees, observing and counting birds and other animals. Significant efforts were made to train and develop field staff in this time. The partners also invited other top scientists and RSPB staff sabbaticals to survey the trees, butterflies and birds with some spectacular results. The BirdsAll of the key species found in the Gola Forest in past surveys have been spotted and new locations have been found for some. There are records now of over 330 species. The threatened Gola malimbe, a black and yellow weaverbird, found in the forest canopy has been seen in Gola for the first time since 1976, The rufous fishing-owl, also threatened, lives along the river banks of the Gola forest and has been spotted on several occasions, also for the first time in 20 years. Over 30 nesting sites of the white-necked picathartes (pictured) have been recorded. Most are outside the Gola Forest in the adjacent community forests, emphasising the need to build strong links with the local communities. Mammals and butterfliesOver 50 species have been recorded included flagship species such as the forest elephant, pygmy hippo, bongo, chimpanzee and many species of monkey. The Forest has also been visited by West Africa’s Butterfly expert who recorded over 370 species in two weeks. He predicts that there may well be over 600 species to be found in the Gola Forest. Studies will continue in the forest over the next 2 years. We hope that further insights can be made into the habits of some of the more elusive species such as the pygmy hippo and the Gola malimbe. The project also hopes to discover some potential sites where visitors can see and study the rare species found in Gola to boost the tourism potential of the area. Last modified: 28 August 2007 |
Minsmere RSPB Reserve, general view of Boomacre Mere - David Tipling (rspb-images.com)
Hummingbird hawkmoth - Steve Round
Tree sparrow perched on branch in woodland - Sue Tranter (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1018091)