Bia Biosphere Reserve, Ghana

The Bia National Park and Bia Resource Reserve constitute the twin conservation area and represents the best example of transitional zone between moist evergreen and moist semideciduous forest types.

 

   

Ecological Characteristics

The area is dominated by Celtis-Triplochiton associations,Teighemella heckelii and Entadrophragma angolense. The National Park is almost a virgin forest with almost no human interference (apart from snail picking). It is only pristine rainforest and the finest example of its type remaining in Ghana today.

However, the Resource Reserve has been opened up due to the past logging at the area and regeneration is taking place.

Annual average precipitation is in the range 1,500-1,700 mm. Sixty-one species of mammals have been recorded. These include 9 primates amongst which are the Black and White Colobus, the Olive Colobus monkeys and chimpanzees; the area is one of the few areas in the country known to support the chimpanzees.

The forest elephant and the highly threatened bongo are present. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded; they include the internationally endangered white-breasted guinea fowl. The forest is actually very rich with biodiversity.

 

 

Socio-Economic Characteristics

The project “Green Economy in Biosphere Reserves (GEBR): A means to biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa” was implemented in three Biosphere Reserves: Bia (Ghana), Omo (Nigeria) and East Usambara (Tanzania). The ultimate goal is to improve local communities’ socio-economic status while conserving biodiversity.

• GEBR in Bia Biosphere Reserve
• Green economy initiatives reconcile people and nature in Ghana

 

 

 

 

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Last updated: October 2018