Gbi Proposed Protected Area - Revision history

WikiEdit at 21:53, 15 October 2026

2026-10-15T21:53:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 15 October 2026
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	<span id="R02114"></span>Wild Chimpanzee Foundation. (2019). Activities of the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation for improved conservation of chimpanzees and their habitat in West Africa: Annual report 2018.		<span id="R02114"></span>Wild Chimpanzee Foundation. (2019). Activities of the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation for improved conservation of chimpanzees and their habitat in West Africa: Annual report 2018.

	<span id="R02199"></span>Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. ''PLOS Climate'', 3(2), ~~1-19~~. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345 doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345]		<span id="R02199"></span>Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. ''PLOS Climate'', 3(2), e0000345. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345 doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345]



	'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2019-10-11		'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2019-10-11

WikiEdit at 14:33, 15 October 2026

2026-10-15T14:33:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:33, 15 October 2026
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	<span id="R00596"></span>Junker, J., Boesch, C., Freeman, T., Mundry, R., Stephens, C., & Kühl, H. S. (2015). Integrating wildlife conservation with conflicting economic land-use goals in a West African biodiversity hotspot. ''Basic and Applied Ecology'', 16(8), 690-702. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2015.07.002 doi:10.1016/j.baae.2015.07.002]		<span id="R00596"></span>Junker, J., Boesch, C., Freeman, T., Mundry, R., Stephens, C., & Kühl, H. S. (2015). Integrating wildlife conservation with conflicting economic land-use goals in a West African biodiversity hotspot. ''Basic and Applied Ecology'', 16(8), 690-702. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2015.07.002 doi:10.1016/j.baae.2015.07.002]

	<span id="R00597"></span>Tweh, C. G., Lormie, M. M., Kouakou, C. Y., Hillers, A., Kühl, H. S., & Junker, J. (~~2014~~). Conservation status of ~~chimpanzeesPan~~ troglodytes ~~verusand~~ other large mammals in Liberia: a nationwide survey. ''Oryx'', 49(4), 710-718. [https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605313001191 doi:10.1017/s0030605313001191]		<span id="R00597"></span>Tweh, C. G., Lormie, M. M., Kouakou, C. Y., Hillers, A., Kühl, H. S., & Junker, J. (2015). Conservation status of chimpanzees Pan troglodytes verus and other large mammals in Liberia: a nationwide survey. ''Oryx'', 49(4), 710-718. [https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605313001191 doi:10.1017/s0030605313001191]

	<span id="R00598"></span>Wilson, S. T. K., Wang, H., Kabenge, M., & Qi, X. (2017). The mining sector of Liberia: current practices and environmental challenges. ''Environmental Science and Pollution Research'', 24(23), 18711-18720. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9647-4 doi:10.1007/s11356-017-9647-4]		<span id="R00598"></span>Wilson, S. T. K., Wang, H., Kabenge, M., & Qi, X. (2017). The mining sector of Liberia: current practices and environmental challenges. ''Environmental Science and Pollution Research'', 24(23), 18711-18720. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9647-4 doi:10.1007/s11356-017-9647-4]
Line 375:		Line 375:
	<span id="R02114"></span>Wild Chimpanzee Foundation. (2019). Activities of the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation for improved conservation of chimpanzees and their habitat in West Africa: Annual report 2018.		<span id="R02114"></span>Wild Chimpanzee Foundation. (2019). Activities of the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation for improved conservation of chimpanzees and their habitat in West Africa: Annual report 2018.

	<span id="R02199"></span>Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. ''PLOS Climate'', 3(2), ~~e0000345~~. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345 doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345]		<span id="R02199"></span>Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. ''PLOS Climate'', 3(2), 1-19. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345 doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345]



	'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2019-10-11		'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2019-10-11

WikiEdit at 20:27, 12 October 2026

2026-10-12T20:27:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:27, 12 October 2026
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	= Site characteristics =		= Site characteristics =

	Gbi Proposed Protected Area is located in a lowly populated and densely forested area of Grand Gedeh county, about 15 kilometers west of the county capital city Zwedru. Gbi Proposed Protected Area is an area of largely undeveloped closed dense forest and is unique in that it remains the largest area most distant from settlements in all of Liberia. This is one of the best sites for the endangered red colobus ''Piliocolobus badius'', the endangered pygmy hippopotamus ''Choeropsis liberiensis'' and the vulnerable zebra duiker ''Cephalophus zebra''. The national chimpanzee survey (Tweh et al. 2014) and subsequent data analysis indicates that this area supports a large population of the critically endangered western chimpanzees and has large mammal species diversity (Johnson 2015, Junker et al. 2015). Additional community forest applications overlapping with Krahn-Bassa Proposed Protected Area (KBPPA), which includes the entire continuous forest block and which Gbi Proposed Protected Area forms part of, poses a serious threat to this site. The decision about the community forest applications and whether they will be considered despite their overlap with the proposed protected area shall be taken after the final presentation of results from the feasibility study. While in the meantime additional funding was acquired by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation for the pre-gazettement of KBPPA, respective activities can only fully start once the extent and status of the future protected area have been confirmed by the Forestry Development Authority.		Gbi Proposed Protected Area is located in a lowly populated and densely forested area of Grand Gedeh county, about 15 kilometers west of the county capital city Zwedru. Gbi Proposed Protected Area is an area of largely undeveloped closed dense forest and is unique in that it remains the largest area most distant from settlements in all of Liberia. This is one of the best sites for the endangered red colobus ''Piliocolobus badius'', the endangered pygmy hippopotamus ''Choeropsis liberiensis'' and the vulnerable zebra duiker ''Cephalophus zebra''. The national chimpanzee survey ([[#R00597\|Tweh et al. 2014]]) and subsequent data analysis indicates that this area supports a large population of the critically endangered western chimpanzees and has large mammal species diversity ([[#R00595\|Johnson 2015]], [[#R00596\|Junker et al. 2015]]). Additional community forest applications overlapping with Krahn-Bassa Proposed Protected Area (KBPPA), which includes the entire continuous forest block and which Gbi Proposed Protected Area forms part of, poses a serious threat to this site. The decision about the community forest applications and whether they will be considered despite their overlap with the proposed protected area shall be taken after the final presentation of results from the feasibility study. While in the meantime additional funding was acquired by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation for the pre-gazettement of KBPPA, respective activities can only fully start once the extent and status of the future protected area have been confirmed by the Forestry Development Authority.

	'''Table 1. Basic site information for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''		'''Table 1. Basic site information for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
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	= Ape status =		= Ape status =

	The nationwide chimpanzee abundance model predicted chimpanzees to be present at this site (Tweh et al. 2014). More specifically, teams found signs of chimpanzee presence, including nests, feeding remains, and nut-cracking sites in the north-eastern area of Gbi while walking a reconnaissance path (“recce”) - only about 16 kilometers away from the city Zwedru. Further analysis of the nationwide dataset revealed that Gbi Proposed Protected Area was located in an area ranked highest in terms of chimpanzee density, and mammal and tree diversity (Junker et al. 2015). A feasibility study for Gbi Proposed Protected Area was conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation and completed in 2019 (Riedel pers. comm. 2019). This study had two components: a camera trap survey focusing on key conservation species and a socio-economic survey implemented by WCF’s consortium partner Fawlkes Consulting. The socio-economic survey was conducted in February-March 2019 and the camera trap survey in April 2019. During the camera trap survey threatened key species, such as forest elephants ''Loxodonta africana'' and pygmy hippopotamus ''Choeropsis liberiensis'' were recorded. However, the final results of the camera trap study have not yet been analyzed and are not available.		The nationwide chimpanzee abundance model predicted chimpanzees to be present at this site ([[#R00597\|Tweh et al. 2014]]). More specifically, teams found signs of chimpanzee presence, including nests, feeding remains, and nut-cracking sites in the north-eastern area of Gbi while walking a reconnaissance path (“recce”) - only about 16 kilometers away from the city Zwedru. Further analysis of the nationwide dataset revealed that Gbi Proposed Protected Area was located in an area ranked highest in terms of chimpanzee density, and mammal and tree diversity ([[#R00596\|Junker et al. 2015]]). A feasibility study for Gbi Proposed Protected Area was conducted by the [[#R02114\|Wild Chimpanzee Foundation and completed in 2019]] (Riedel pers. comm. 2019). This study had two components: a camera trap survey focusing on key conservation species and a socio-economic survey implemented by WCF’s consortium partner Fawlkes Consulting. The socio-economic survey was conducted in February-March 2019 and the camera trap survey in April 2019. During the camera trap survey threatened key species, such as forest elephants ''Loxodonta africana'' and pygmy hippopotamus ''Choeropsis liberiensis'' were recorded. However, the final results of the camera trap study have not yet been analyzed and are not available.

	'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''		'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
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	= Threats =		= Threats =

	Additional community forest applications overlapping with Krahn-Bassa Proposed Protected Area (KBPPA), which includes the entire continuous forest block and which Gbi Proposed Protected Area forms part of, poses a serious threat to this site. The Gbi Proposed Protected Area is surrounded by Ratified and Proposed Logging Concessions (Junker et al. 2015), as well as by Mineral Exploration Licenses (MEL) held by Middle Island Resources Liberia Ltd. for gold, diamonds, and other commodities except for iron ore (Johnson 2015). MEL’s entail that after a proposed exploration program has been handed to the Minister of Land, Mines, and Energy, the company commences exploration (Wilson et al. 2017). Few empty gun shells or traps were recorded on line transects and recces near Gbi Proposed Protected Area (Junker unpubl. data); however, hunting with guns is a widespread threat to large mammals across most of Liberia’s forests (Junker et al. 2015).		Additional community forest applications overlapping with Krahn-Bassa Proposed Protected Area (KBPPA), which includes the entire continuous forest block and which Gbi Proposed Protected Area forms part of, poses a serious threat to this site. The Gbi Proposed Protected Area is surrounded by Ratified and Proposed Logging Concessions ([[#R00596\|Junker et al. 2015]]), as well as by Mineral Exploration Licenses (MEL) held by Middle Island Resources Liberia Ltd. for gold, diamonds, and other commodities except for iron ore ([[#R00595\|Johnson 2015]]). MEL’s entail that after a proposed exploration program has been handed to the Minister of Land, Mines, and Energy, the company commences exploration ([[#R00598\|Wilson et al. 2017]]). Few empty gun shells or traps were recorded on line transects and recces near Gbi Proposed Protected Area (Junker unpubl. data); however, hunting with guns is a widespread threat to large mammals across most of Liberia’s forests ([[#R00596\|Junker et al. 2015]]).

	'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''		'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
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	\|3.2 Mining & quarrying		\|3.2 Mining & quarrying
	\|Medium (30-70% of population affected)		\|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
	\|Mining for gold and diamonds (Johnson 2015).		\|Mining for gold and diamonds ([[#R00595\|Johnson 2015]]).
	\|Ongoing (2015)		\|Ongoing (2015)
	\|-		\|-
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	\|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals		\|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
	\|Medium (30-70% of population affected)		\|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
	\|Tweh et al. 2014, Junker unpubl. data		\|[[#R00597\|Tweh et al. 2014]], Junker unpubl. data
	\|Ongoing (2014)		\|Ongoing (2014)
	\|-		\|-
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	= Conservation activities =		= Conservation activities =

	A camera trap- and a socio-economic survey were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation in 2019 (Riedel pers. comm. 2019).		A camera trap- and a socio-economic survey were conducted by the [[#R02114\|Wild Chimpanzee Foundation in 2019]] (Riedel pers. comm. 2019).

	'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''		'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
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	= Exposure to climate change impacts =		= Exposure to climate change impacts =

	As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. (2024) extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.		As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, [[#R02199\|Kiribou et al. (2024)]] extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.

	The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (Kiribou et al. 2024).		The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated ([[#R02199\|Kiribou et al. 2024]]).

	'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''		'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
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	= References =		= References =

	Johnson S. 2015. Aggregated Biodiversity Offsets: A Roadmap for Liberia’s Mining Sector. Unpublished report by the World Bank Group (WBG) and Program On Forests (PROFOR).		<span id="R00595"></span>Johnson S. 2015. Aggregated Biodiversity Offsets: A Roadmap for Liberia’s Mining Sector. Unpublished report by the World Bank Group (WBG) and Program On Forests (PROFOR).

	Junker J, Boesch C, Freeman T, Mundry R, Stephens C, Kühl HS. 2015. Integrating wildlife conservation with conflicting economic land-use goals in a West African biodiversity hotspot. Basic and Applied Ecology: doi:10.1016/j.baae.2015.07.002.		<span id="R00596"></span>Junker, J., Boesch, C., Freeman, T., Mundry, R., Stephens, C., & Kühl, H. S. (2015). Integrating wildlife conservation with conflicting economic land-use goals in a West African biodiversity hotspot. ''Basic and Applied Ecology'', 16(8), 690-702. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2015.07.002 doi:10.1016/j.baae.2015.07.002]

	Tweh C, Lormie M, Kouakou CY, Hillers A, Kühl HS, Junker J~~, et al~~. 2014. Conservation status of ~~chimpanzees Pan~~ troglodytes ~~verus and~~ other large mammals in Liberia: a nationwide survey. Oryx~~: http~~://~~dx.~~doi.org/10.1017/~~S0030605313001191~~.		<span id="R00597"></span>Tweh, C. G., Lormie, M. M., Kouakou, C. Y., Hillers, A., Kühl, H. S., & Junker, J. (2014). Conservation status of chimpanzeesPan troglodytes verusand other large mammals in Liberia: a nationwide survey. ''Oryx'', 49(4), 710-718. [https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605313001191 doi:10.1017/s0030605313001191]

	Wilson ~~STK~~, Wang H, Kabenge M, Qi X. 2017. The mining sector of Liberia: current practices and environmental challenges. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24: ~~18711–18720~~.		<span id="R00598"></span>Wilson, S. T. K., Wang, H., Kabenge, M., & Qi, X. (2017). The mining sector of Liberia: current practices and environmental challenges. ''Environmental Science and Pollution Research'', 24(23), 18711-18720. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9647-4 doi:10.1007/s11356-017-9647-4]

			<span id="R02114"></span>Wild Chimpanzee Foundation. (2019). Activities of the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation for improved conservation of chimpanzees and their habitat in West Africa: Annual report 2018.

			<span id="R02199"></span>Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. ''PLOS Climate'', 3(2), e0000345. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345 doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345]



	'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2019-10-11		'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2019-10-11

WikiEdit at 12:14, 3 September 2026

2026-09-03T12:14:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:14, 3 September 2026
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	= Exposure to climate change impacts =		= Exposure to climate change impacts =

	As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. ~~subm.~~ extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.		As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. (2024) extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.

	The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (~~see~~ Kiribou et al. ~~subm. for details~~).		The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (Kiribou et al. 2024).

	'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''		'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''

WikiEdit at 14:43, 25 March 2026

2026-03-25T14:43:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:43, 25 March 2026
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	* The following conservation activities were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation: camera trap survey and a socio-economic survey.		* The following conservation activities were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation: camera trap survey and a socio-economic survey.
	* The area falls into one of the conservation priority areas identified for Liberia by Junker et al. (2015). It was ranked highest of all patches in terms of chimpanzee density, and mammal and tree diversity. It is part of the largest continuous forest patch in Liberia and connects all the way up to Cestos-Senkwehn Proposed Protected Area on the Liberian coast. Gbi Proposed Protected Area is also located inside a Key Biodiversity Area.		* The area falls into one of the conservation priority areas identified for Liberia by Junker et al. (2015). It was ranked highest of all patches in terms of chimpanzee density, and mammal and tree diversity. It is part of the largest continuous forest patch in Liberia and connects all the way up to Cestos-Senkwehn Proposed Protected Area on the Liberian coast. Gbi Proposed Protected Area is also located inside a Key Biodiversity Area.





	= Site characteristics =		= Site characteristics =
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	!Year of threat		!Year of threat
	\|-		\|-
	\|~~5 Biological resource use~~		\|3 Energy production & mining
	\|5.~~3 Logging~~ & ~~wood harvesting~~		\|3.2 Mining & quarrying
	\|~~High~~ (~~more than~~ 70% of population affected)		\|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
	\|~~The site is surrounded by/~~ and ~~overlaps with ratified and proposed logging concessions~~ (~~Tweh et al.~~ 2015~~, Riedel pers~~. ~~comm. 2019)~~		\|Mining for gold and diamonds (Johnson 2015).
	\|~~2015-~~Ongoing (~~2019~~)		\|Ongoing (2015)
	\|-		\|-
	\|5 Biological resource use		\|5 Biological resource use
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	\|Ongoing (2014)		\|Ongoing (2014)
	\|-		\|-
	\|~~3 Energy production & mining~~		\|5 Biological resource use
	\|3~~.2 Mining~~ & ~~quarrying~~		\|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
	\|~~Medium~~ (~~30-~~70% of population affected)		\|High (more than 70% of population affected)
	\|~~Mining for gold~~ and ~~diamonds~~ (~~Johnson~~ 2015).		\|The site is surrounded by/ and overlaps with ratified and proposed logging concessions (Tweh et al. 2015, Riedel pers. comm. 2019)
	\|Ongoing (~~2015~~)		\|2015-Ongoing (2019)
	\|}		\|}

WikiEdit at 07:06, 6 November 2025

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← Older revision		Revision as of 03:06, 6 November 2025
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	<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:PrecipAnomaly_Gbi.png\| 450px \| thumb\| none \| Precipitation anomaly ~~inGbi~~ Proposed Protected Area]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:TempAnomaly_Gbi.png \| 450px \| thumb\| none \| Temperature anomaly ~~inGbi~~ Proposed Protected Area]] </li></ul></div>		<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:PrecipAnomaly_Gbi.png\| 450px \| thumb\| none \| Precipitation anomaly in Gbi Proposed Protected Area]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:TempAnomaly_Gbi.png \| 450px \| thumb\| none \| Temperature anomaly in Gbi Proposed Protected Area]] </li></ul></div>

	= External links =		= External links =

WikiEdit at 06:49, 6 November 2025

2025-11-06T06:49:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:49, 6 November 2025
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	* The following conservation activities were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation: camera trap survey and a socio-economic survey.		* The following conservation activities were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation: camera trap survey and a socio-economic survey.
	* The area falls into one of the conservation priority areas identified for Liberia by Junker et al. (2015). It was ranked highest of all patches in terms of chimpanzee density, and mammal and tree diversity. It is part of the largest continuous forest patch in Liberia and connects all the way up to Cestos-Senkwehn Proposed Protected Area on the Liberian coast. Gbi Proposed Protected Area is also located inside a Key Biodiversity Area.		* The area falls into one of the conservation priority areas identified for Liberia by Junker et al. (2015). It was ranked highest of all patches in terms of chimpanzee density, and mammal and tree diversity. It is part of the largest continuous forest patch in Liberia and connects all the way up to Cestos-Senkwehn Proposed Protected Area on the Liberian coast. Gbi Proposed Protected Area is also located inside a Key Biodiversity Area.



Line 44:		Line 45:

	[[Types of sites]] [[Governance types]] [[Habitat types]]		[[Types of sites]] [[Governance types]] [[Habitat types]]

	= Ape status =		= Ape status =

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	[[Sampling methods]] [[Analytical frameworks]]		[[Sampling methods]] [[Analytical frameworks]]

	= Threats =		= Threats =

Line 110:		Line 113:

	[[Threats]]		[[Threats]]

	= Conservation activities =		= Conservation activities =

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	[[Conservation activities]]		[[Conservation activities]]

	= Challenges =		= Challenges =

Line 148:		Line 153:

	[[Challenges]]		[[Challenges]]

	= Enablers =		= Enablers =

Line 191:		Line 197:

	[[Enablers]]		[[Enablers]]

	= Research activities =		= Research activities =

	In 2019, a camera trap- and a socio-economic survey were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (Riedel pers. comm. 2019).		In 2019, a camera trap- and a socio-economic survey were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (Riedel pers. comm. 2019).


	= Documented behaviours =		= Documented behaviours =
Line 233:		Line 241:

	[[Behaviours]]		[[Behaviours]]

	= Exposure to climate change impacts =		= Exposure to climate change impacts =

Line 351:		Line 360:
	\|}		\|}


			<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:PrecipAnomaly_Gbi.png\| 450px \| thumb\| none \| Precipitation anomaly inGbi Proposed Protected Area]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:TempAnomaly_Gbi.png \| 450px \| thumb\| none \| Temperature anomaly inGbi Proposed Protected Area]] </li></ul></div>

	= External links =		= External links =

WikiEdit at 08:14, 31 October 2025

2025-10-31T08:14:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:14, 31 October 2025
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	\|Max no. consecutive dry days (per year)		\|Max no. consecutive dry days (per year)
	\|15.2		\|15.2
	\|18.~~100000000000001~~		\|18.1
	\|15.6		\|15.6
	\|18.3		\|18.3
	\|16.~~399999999999999~~		\|16.4
	\|-		\|-
	\|No. days with heavy precipitation (per year)		\|No. days with heavy precipitation (per year)
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	\|River flood		\|River flood
	\|1		\|1
	\|7.~~0000000000000007E-2~~		\|0.07
	\|2		\|2
	\|4.22		\|4.22

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[[West Africa]] > [[Liberia]] > [[Gbi Proposed Protected Area]]

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__TOC__
= Summary =

<div style='float: right'>{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers=OpenStreetMap,OpenTopoMap|6.00, -8.53~[[Gbi Proposed Protected Area]]~''Pan troglodytes verus''}}</div>
* Western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus'') are present in Gbi Proposed Protected Area.
* The population size is unknown.
* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
* This site has a total size of 884 km².
* Key threats to chimpanzees are hunting and commercial logging.
* The following conservation activities were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation: camera trap survey and a socio-economic survey.
* The area falls into one of the conservation priority areas identified for Liberia by Junker et al. (2015). It was ranked highest of all patches in terms of chimpanzee density, and mammal and tree diversity. It is part of the largest continuous forest patch in Liberia and connects all the way up to Cestos-Senkwehn Proposed Protected Area on the Liberian coast. Gbi Proposed Protected Area is also located inside a Key Biodiversity Area.

= Site characteristics =

Gbi Proposed Protected Area is located in a lowly populated and densely forested area of Grand Gedeh county, about 15 kilometers west of the county capital city Zwedru. Gbi Proposed Protected Area is an area of largely undeveloped closed dense forest and is unique in that it remains the largest area most distant from settlements in all of Liberia. This is one of the best sites for the endangered red colobus ''Piliocolobus badius'', the endangered pygmy hippopotamus ''Choeropsis liberiensis'' and the vulnerable zebra duiker ''Cephalophus zebra''. The national chimpanzee survey (Tweh et al. 2014) and subsequent data analysis indicates that this area supports a large population of the critically endangered western chimpanzees and has large mammal species diversity (Johnson 2015, Junker et al. 2015). Additional community forest applications overlapping with Krahn-Bassa Proposed Protected Area (KBPPA), which includes the entire continuous forest block and which Gbi Proposed Protected Area forms part of, poses a serious threat to this site. The decision about the community forest applications and whether they will be considered despite their overlap with the proposed protected area shall be taken after the final presentation of results from the feasibility study. While in the meantime additional funding was acquired by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation for the pre-gazettement of KBPPA, respective activities can only fully start once the extent and status of the future protected area have been confirmed by the Forestry Development Authority.

'''Table 1. Basic site information for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Site_characteristics-table"
|Species
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|-
|Area
|884 km²
|-
|Coordinates
|Lat: 6.00 , Lon: -8.53
|-
|Type of site
|Proposed protected area
|-
|Habitat types
|Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest
|-
|Type of governance
|
|}

[[Types of sites]] [[Governance types]] [[Habitat types]]
= Ape status =

The nationwide chimpanzee abundance model predicted chimpanzees to be present at this site (Tweh et al. 2014). More specifically, teams found signs of chimpanzee presence, including nests, feeding remains, and nut-cracking sites in the north-eastern area of Gbi while walking a reconnaissance path (“recce”) - only about 16 kilometers away from the city Zwedru. Further analysis of the nationwide dataset revealed that Gbi Proposed Protected Area was located in an area ranked highest in terms of chimpanzee density, and mammal and tree diversity (Junker et al. 2015). A feasibility study for Gbi Proposed Protected Area was conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation and completed in 2019 (Riedel pers. comm. 2019). This study had two components: a camera trap survey focusing on key conservation species and a socio-economic survey implemented by WCF’s consortium partner Fawlkes Consulting. The socio-economic survey was conducted in February-March 2019 and the camera trap survey in April 2019. During the camera trap survey threatened key species, such as forest elephants ''Loxodonta africana'' and pygmy hippopotamus ''Choeropsis liberiensis'' were recorded. However, the final results of the camera trap study have not yet been analyzed and are not available.

'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Ape_status-table"
!Species
!Year
!Occurrence
!Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day)
!Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
!Abundance estimate (95% CI)
!Survey area
!Sampling method
!Analytical framework
!Source
!Comments
!A.P.E.S. database ID
|-
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|2010-2012
|Present
|
|
|
|Gbi Proposed Protected Area
|Reconnaissance walk
|
|Junker unpubl. data
|‘Reconnaissance walk’, 3 nests were found (old and recent), chimpanzees were heard vocalizing and nut cracking tools and feeding remains were found
|
|}

[[Sampling methods]] [[Analytical frameworks]]
= Threats =

Additional community forest applications overlapping with Krahn-Bassa Proposed Protected Area (KBPPA), which includes the entire continuous forest block and which Gbi Proposed Protected Area forms part of, poses a serious threat to this site. The Gbi Proposed Protected Area is surrounded by Ratified and Proposed Logging Concessions (Junker et al. 2015), as well as by Mineral Exploration Licenses (MEL) held by Middle Island Resources Liberia Ltd. for gold, diamonds, and other commodities except for iron ore (Johnson 2015). MEL’s entail that after a proposed exploration program has been handed to the Minister of Land, Mines, and Energy, the company commences exploration (Wilson et al. 2017). Few empty gun shells or traps were recorded on line transects and recces near Gbi Proposed Protected Area (Junker unpubl. data); however, hunting with guns is a widespread threat to large mammals across most of Liberia’s forests (Junker et al. 2015).

'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Threats-table"
!Category
!Specific threats
!Threat level
!Description
!Year of threat
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|The site is surrounded by/ and overlaps with ratified and proposed logging concessions (Tweh et al. 2015, Riedel pers. comm. 2019)
|2015-Ongoing (2019)
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Tweh et al. 2014, Junker unpubl. data
|Ongoing (2014)
|-
|3 Energy production & mining
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Mining for gold and diamonds (Johnson 2015).
|Ongoing (2015)
|}

[[Threats]]
= Conservation activities =

A camera trap- and a socio-economic survey were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation in 2019 (Riedel pers. comm. 2019).

'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Conservation_activities-table"
!Category
!Specific activity
!Description
!Implementing organization(s)
!Year of activity
|-
|8 Permanent presence
|8.1 Run research project and ensure permanent human presence at site
|A camera trap- and a socio-economic survey were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (Riedel pers. comm. 2019).
|
|2019
|}

[[Conservation activities]]
= Challenges =

'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Challenges-table"
!Challenges
!Specific challenges
!Source
!Year(s)
|-
|
|Not reported
|
|
|}

[[Challenges]]
= Enablers =

'''Table 6. Enablers reported for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="enabler-table"
!Enablers
!Specific enablers
!Source
!Year(s)
|-
|1 Site management
|
|
|
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|
|
|
|-
|3 Engaged community
|
|
|
|-
|4 Institutional support
|
|
|
|-
|5 Ecological context
|
|
|
|-
|6 Safety and stability
|
|
|
|}

[[Enablers]]
= Research activities =

In 2019, a camera trap- and a socio-economic survey were conducted by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (Riedel pers. comm. 2019).

= Documented behaviours =

Junker and her teams (unpubl. data) found nut-cracking sites with stone- and wood hammers and –anvils, as well as a termite mound that was broken/opened by chimpanzees on the northern fringes of Gbi Proposed Protected Area.

'''Table 7. Behaviours documented for Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviours-table"
!Category
!Behavior
!Observation type
!Prevalence
!Observation dates
!Source
!Habituation
!Species
!Comment
|-
|
|Termite eating
|
|
|
|Junker unpubl. data
|
|
|
|-
|
|Nut cracking
|
|
|
|Junker unpubl. data
|
|
|
|}

[[Behaviours]]
= Exposure to climate change impacts =

As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. subm. extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.

The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (see Kiribou et al. subm. for details).

'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="clima-table"
!Value
!1981-2010
!2021-2050, RCP 2.6
!2021-2050, RCP 6.0
!2071-2099, RCP 2.6
!2071-2099, RCP 6.0
|-
|Mean temperature [C]
|25
|26
|25.9
|26.1
|27.2
|-
|Annual precipitation [mm]
|2477
|2472
|2553
|2512
|2630
|-
|Max no. consecutive dry days (per year)
|15.2
|18.100000000000001
|15.6
|18.3
|16.399999999999999
|-
|No. days with heavy precipitation (per year)
|5.9
|11.6
|11.6
|12.6
|14.8
|}

'''Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Gbi Proposed Protected Area'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="clima2-table"
!Type
!No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)
!% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)
!No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)
!% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)
!No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)
!% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)
!No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
!% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
|-
|Crop failure
|4
|0.01
|3.5
|0.01
|2
|0.01
|8.5
|0.01
|-
|Drought
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|Heatwave
|10
|100
|9
|100
|13.5
|100
|14
|100
|-
|River flood
|1
|7.0000000000000007E-2
|2
|4.22
|2
|3.36
|2
|0.73
|-
|Tropical cyclone
|0
|0
|0.5
|0.11
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|Wildfire
|30
|0.44
|30
|0.44
|29
|0.48
|28.75
|0.42
|}

= External links =

= References =

Johnson S. 2015. Aggregated Biodiversity Offsets: A Roadmap for Liberia’s Mining Sector. Unpublished report by the World Bank Group (WBG) and Program On Forests (PROFOR).

Junker J, Boesch C, Freeman T, Mundry R, Stephens C, Kühl HS. 2015. Integrating wildlife conservation with conflicting economic land-use goals in a West African biodiversity hotspot. Basic and Applied Ecology: doi:10.1016/j.baae.2015.07.002.

Tweh C, Lormie M, Kouakou CY, Hillers A, Kühl HS, Junker J, et al. 2014. Conservation status of chimpanzees Pan troglodytes verus and other large mammals in Liberia: a nationwide survey. Oryx: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605313001191.

Wilson STK, Wang H, Kabenge M, Qi X. 2017. The mining sector of Liberia: current practices and environmental challenges. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24: 18711–18720.

'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2019-10-11