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= Summary =
= Summary =


<div style='float: right'>{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers=OpenStreetMap,OpenTopoMap|6.198033916291155, 8.97788933605928~[[Afi River Forest Reserve]]~''Pan troglodytes ellioti'', ''Gorilla gorilla diehli''}}</div>
<div style='float: right'>{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers=OpenStreetMap,OpenTopoMap|6.33, 8.97~[[Afi River Forest Reserve]]~''Pan troglodytes ellioti'', ''Gorilla gorilla diehli''}}</div>
* Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes ellioti'') & Cross river gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla diehli'') are present in Afi River Forest Reserve.
* Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes ellioti'') & Cross river gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla diehli'') are absent in Afi River Forest Reserve.
* The population sizes are unknown.
* Great apes have not been observed in the area for several years.
* The great ape population trend is unknown.
* The great ape population trend is unknown.
 
* The area is severely degraded, but it is still considered important for maintaining connectivity between [[Afi Mountain Wildlife Reserve]] and [[Cross River National Park]].




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|-
|-
|Coordinates
|Coordinates
|Lat: 6.198033916291155 , Lon:  8.97788933605928
|Lat: 6.33 , Lon:  8.97
|-
|-
|Type of site
|Type of site
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|-
|-
|Habitat types
|Habitat types
|Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest
|Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest, Subtropical/tropical heavily degraded former forest, Agricultural land
|-
|-
|Type of governance
|Type of governance
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|Reconnaissance walk
|Reconnaissance walk
|
|
|Imong 2008
|[[#R00006|Imong 2008]]
|
|
|
|NGA0006
|-
|-
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
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|Reconnaissance walk
|Reconnaissance walk
|
|
|Imong 2008
|[[#R00006|Imong 2008]]
|
|
|
|NGA0006
|}
|}


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|2.1.2 Small-holder farming
|2.1.2 Small-holder farming
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|From a survey done in 2008, 244 farms were observed. Farm sizes varied ranging from as small as 15 m² to as large as ten hectares (Imong & Wood 2008).
|In  a 2008 survey, 244 farms were observed. Farm size ranged from  15 m² to ten hectares ([[#R00006|Imong & Wood 2008]]). Agriculture is linked to fires and forest loss in the area; cocoa farms are present in and around the reserve ([[#R00008|Orji 2021]]).
|Ongoing (2008)
|2008-Ongoing (2021)
|-
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
|2.1.1 Shifting agriculture
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|In  a 2008 survey, 244 farms were observed. Farm size ranged from 15 m² to ten hectares ([[#R00006|Imong & Wood 2008]]). Agriculture is linked to fires and forest loss in the area; cocoa farms are present in and around the reserve ([[#R00008|Orji 2021]]).
|2008-Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|4 Transportation & service corridors
|4 Transportation & service corridors
|4.1 Roads & railroads
|4.1 Roads & railroads
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Transportation and service corridors in some of the areas of the reserve have been seen. It is slow but with significant deterioration (BirdLife International. 2024). The Ikom-Obudu highway passes through the Afi River Forest Reserve that acts as a corridor connecting Mbe Mountain and Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (Obeten et al. 2024).
|Reported by BirdLife International in 2021 (2024). The connection between Afi and Mbe Mountains was to some extent weakened by the creation of a paved highway to link Ikom and Obudu ([[#R00006|Imong & Wood 2008]]).
|Ongoing (2024)
|2008-Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Hunting signs were recorded at 0.66 per km in a survey done in 2008. Few hunting trails and hunters were encountered during the survey. The reasons given that could explain the few encounters could be that levels of wildlife abundance is so low, and that hunting was done mostly at night when the survey team did not collect data (Imong & Wood 2008). Despite the numerous conservation efforts in the Afi, Mbe, and Okwango areas poaching activities are still being done because the income made from poaching is much better than the alternative provided for hunters (Abere et al. 2016).
|Hunting signs were recorded at 0.66 per km in a survey done in 2008. Few hunting trails and hunters were encountered during the survey. The reasons given that could explain the few encounters could be that levels of wildlife abundance is so low, and that hunting was done mostly at night when the survey team did not collect data ([[#R00006|Imong & Wood 2008]]). Poaching in and around the site continues to be a threat ([[#R00008|Orji 2021]]).
|2008-Ongoing (2016)
|2008-Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
|5.3.1 Subsistence logging
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Evidence of past and ongoing logging was encountered throughout one of the surveys conducted.  A total of 3,671 pieces of timber were counted during the survey (Imong & Wood 2008)
|Evidence of past and ongoing logging was encountered throughout the site during a survey ([[#R00006|Imong & Wood 2008]]). Reporters visited in August 2021 and observed several trucks loading logged timber day and night in and near ARFR. Due to the high demand for timber products especially in urban areas, deforestation has ravaged many areas of the reserve ([[#R00008|Orji 2021]]).
Reporters visited in August 2021 and observed several trucks loading logged timber day and night in and near ARFR. Due to the high demand for timber products especially in urban areas, deforestation has ravaged many areas of the reserve (Orji, S. 2021).
|2008-Ongoing (2021)
|2008-Ongoing (2021)
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5.3.2 Commercial logging
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|There are two concession areas in the north and south of the reserve ([[#R00005|BirdLife International 2024]])
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|7 Natural system modifications
|7 Natural system modifications
|7.1 Fire & fire suppression
|7.1 Fire & fire suppression
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Large areas have been subject to dry-season bush fires, including a severe one in 1989 (BirdLife International. 2024). In 2021 ARFR experienced fires according to data that was provided by NASA. This was the highest fire activity in years (Orji, S. 2021).
|Large areas have been subject to dry-season bush fires, including a severe one in 1989 ([[#R00005|BirdLife International 2024]]). In 2021 ARFR experienced severe fires ([[#R00008|Orji 2021]]).
|1989, 2002, 2021
|1989, 2002, 2021
|-
|-
|8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases
|3 Energy production & mining
|8.4 Pathogens
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Present (unknown severity)
|With humans, domesticated animals and gorillas living close together due to encroachment, there is a high risk of pathogens and parasites spreading to the gorillas. The small size of the Cross River gorilla populations makes them extremely vulnerable to the effects of introduced pathogens, and virulent infections could effectively eliminate them (Oates et.al 2007).
|Quarries were reported in a 2008 survey ([[#R00006|Imong & Wood 2008]]).
|Ongoing (2007)
|Ongoing (2008)
|}
|}


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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|They do patrols but they haven't been as effective due to lack of sufficient funding for rangers that ought to be on patrols and lack of mobility (vehicles to conduct these patrols effectively). There is no great support from the government either (Orji, S. 2021).
|Patrols are implemented but there is a lack of funding for rangers that ought to be on patrols and lack vehicles to conduct these patrols effectively ([[#R00008|Orji 2021]]).
|Cross River State Forestry Commission
|Cross River State Forestry Commission
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
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|4 Education & awareness
|4 Education & awareness
|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use
|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use
|WCS implements conservation education activities to control the forest behavior of people in the communities in the cross-river state. Evaluation (Obeten et al. 2024) has shown that the more environmental awareness is for the community, the more they tend to promote forest conservation.
|WCS implements conservation education activities to control the forest behavior of people in the communities in the cross-river state. Evaluations have shown that the more environmental awareness is for the community, the more they tend to promote forest conservation ([[#R00007|Obeten et al. 2024]]).
|WCS Nigeria
|Wildlife Conservation Society Nigeria
|Ongoing (2024)
|Ongoing (2024)
|-
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.10 Use prescribed burning within the context of home range size and use
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
|The government and NGOs have implemented measures to reduce logging and restrict bush burning in rural communities (Obeten et al. 2024).
|The site is a forest reserve.
|Cross River Government and WCS Nigeria
|
|Ongoing (2024)
|Ongoing (2024)
|}
|}
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|-
|-
|1 Site management
|1 Site management
|1.1 Need for improved leadership
|1.4 Conflict on land tenure
|Imong & Wood 2008
|[[#R00008|Orji 2021]]
|Ongoing (2008)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|Imong & Wood 2008
|Ongoing (2008)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.4 Lack of continuous/long-term funding
|2.2 Lack of staff
|Orji 2021
|[[#R00008|Orji 2021]]
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|1 Site management
|2 Resources and capacity
|1.4 Conflict on land tenure
|2.3 General lack of funding
|Orji 2021
|[[#R00008|Orji 2021]]
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|4 Institutional support
|2.2 Lack of staff
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|Edet et al. 2017
|[[#R00006|Imong & Wood 2008]], [[#R00008|Orji 2021]]
|Ongoing (2021)
|2008-Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4 Institutional support
|4.2 Lack of government support
|4.2 Lack of government support
|Orji 2021
|[[#R00008|Orji 2021]]
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|}
|}
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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, [[#R02147|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 ([[#R02147|Kiribou et al. 2024]]).


'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Afi River Forest Reserve'''
'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Afi River Forest Reserve'''
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= External links =
= External links =


 
[[https://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/site/factsheet/6738/site KBA Afi River Forest Reserve]] <br>
[[https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/6738-afi-river-forest-reserve#Site-status BirdLife International]]


= References =
= References =


Imong, I and Wood, K.L (2008). Unpublished Report on Wildlife and Habitat Assessment Survey of the Afi River Forest Reserve, Cross River State, Nigeria. Cross River State Forestry Commission, Wildlife Conservation Society, Pandrillus, Fauna and Flora International, and Nigerian Conservation Foundation. Abo, Nigeria.
<span id="R00005"></span>BirdLife International. (2024). Important Bird Area factsheet: Afi River Forest Reserve (Nigeria). https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/afi-river-forest-reserve-iba-nigeria


<span id="R00006"></span>Imong, I., & Wood, K. L. (2008). Wildlife and Habitat Assessment Survey of the Afi River Forest Reserve, Cross River State, Nigeria February – April 2008. WCS, FFI, Pandrillus, CRSFC and NCF.


<span id="R00007"></span>Obeten, U. B., Ayua, A. B., Aneshie, N. L., Etta, A. C., Obun, E. M., Ojong, A. A., ... & Onnoghen, U. N. (2024). Wildlife conservation society’s activities and biodiversity conservation in protected areas in Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal for Nature Conservation, 78, 126575. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2024.126575 doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2024.126575]


Oates, J.F., Sunderland-Groves, J., Bergl, R.A., Dunn, A., Nicholas, N., Takang, E., Imong, I., & Fotso, R. 2007. Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli). IUCN Primate Specialist Group/Conservation International, Washington D.C.
<span id="R00008"></span>Orji, S. (2021). Deforestation soars in Nigeria’s gorilla habitat: ‘We are running out of time.’ Mongabay. https://news.mongabay.com/2021/10/deforestation-soars-in-nigerias-gorilla-habitat-we-are-running-out-of-time/


<span id="R02147"></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]




Aigbe, H.I., Akindele, S.O., Onyekwelu, J.C. (2014). Tree Species Diversity And Density Pattern In Afi River Forest Reserve, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research. 3. 178-185.


'''Page created by: '''Priscilla Stanley Shao''' Date:''' 2024-11-28 08:27:00


 
'''Page updated by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2026-06-15
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Afi River Forest Reserve (Nigeria). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/afi-river-forest-reserve-iba-nigeria on 28/11/2024.
 
 
 
Abere, S., Lateef, F. and Lameed, G. (2016) Assessment of Hunters and Other Rate of Illegal Activities in Afi-Mbe-Okwango Division, Cross River State, Nigeria. Natural Resources, 7, 287-294. doi: 10.4236/nr.2016.75025.
 
 
 
Orji, S. (2021). Deforestation soars in Nigeria’s gorilla habitat: ‘We are running out of time. Mongabay.  https://news.mongabay.com/2021/10/deforestation-soars-in-nigerias-gorilla-habitat-we-are-running-out-of-time/ on 28/11/2024.
 
 
 
Edet, D., Nchor, A., and Ekpe, A. (2017). Appraisal of Personnel Strength and Quality in Cross River State Forestry Commission, Cross River State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 13. 179-185.
 
 
 
Orji, S. (2023). Elephants invade as habitat loss soars in Nigerian forest reserve. Mongabay.
 
https://news.mongabay.com/2023/08/elephants-invade-as-habitat-loss-soars-in-nigerian-forest-reserve/ on 30/11/2024.
 
 
 
Okafor, N. (2024). Conservation of the Endangered Grey Parrot and Birds of Conservation Concern in Afi River Forest Reserve, Nigeria: Population Status and Conservation Campaign. The Rufford Foundation.
 
https://www.rufford.org/projects/ngozi-okafor/conservation-endangered-grey-parrot-and-birds-conservation-concern-afi-river-forest-reserve-nigeria-population-status-and-conservation-campaign/ on 30/11/2024.
 
 
 
Obeten, U. B., Ayua, A. B., Aneshie, N. L., Etta, A. C., Obun, E. M., Ojong, A. A., ... & Onnoghen, U. N. (2024). Wildlife conservation society’s activities and biodiversity conservation in protected areas in cross river state, Nigeria. Journal for Nature Conservation, 78, 126575.
 
 
 
'''Page created by: '''Priscilla Stanley Shao''' Date:''' 2024-11-28 08:27:00

Latest revision as of 17:51, 15 October 2026

West Africa > Nigeria > Afi River Forest Reserve

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Summary

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  • Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti) & Cross river gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli) are absent in Afi River Forest Reserve.
  • Great apes have not been observed in the area for several years.
  • The great ape population trend is unknown.
  • The area is severely degraded, but it is still considered important for maintaining connectivity between Afi Mountain Wildlife Reserve and Cross River National Park.


Site characteristics

Table 1. Basic site information for Afi River Forest Reserve

Species Pan troglodytes ellioti, Gorilla gorilla diehli
Area 312 km²
Coordinates Lat: 6.33 , Lon: 8.97
Type of site Protected area (Forest Reserve)
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest, Subtropical/tropical heavily degraded former forest, Agricultural land
Type of governance Governance by government

Types of sites Governance types Habitat types

Ape status

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Afi River Forest Reserve

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
Gorilla gorilla diehli 2008 Absent Afi River Forest Reserve Reconnaissance walk Imong 2008 NGA0006
Pan troglodytes ellioti 2008 Absent Afi River Forest Reserve Reconnaissance walk Imong 2008 NGA0006

Sampling methods Analytical frameworks

Threats

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Afi River Forest Reserve

Category Specific threats Threat level Description Year of threat
2 Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1.2 Small-holder farming High (more than 70% of population affected) In a 2008 survey, 244 farms were observed. Farm size ranged from 15 m² to ten hectares (Imong & Wood 2008). Agriculture is linked to fires and forest loss in the area; cocoa farms are present in and around the reserve (Orji 2021). 2008-Ongoing (2021)
2 Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1.1 Shifting agriculture High (more than 70% of population affected) In a 2008 survey, 244 farms were observed. Farm size ranged from 15 m² to ten hectares (Imong & Wood 2008). Agriculture is linked to fires and forest loss in the area; cocoa farms are present in and around the reserve (Orji 2021). 2008-Ongoing (2021)
4 Transportation & service corridors 4.1 Roads & railroads Low (up to 30% of population affected) Reported by BirdLife International in 2021 (2024). The connection between Afi and Mbe Mountains was to some extent weakened by the creation of a paved highway to link Ikom and Obudu (Imong & Wood 2008). 2008-Ongoing (2021)
5 Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals High (more than 70% of population affected) Hunting signs were recorded at 0.66 per km in a survey done in 2008. Few hunting trails and hunters were encountered during the survey. The reasons given that could explain the few encounters could be that levels of wildlife abundance is so low, and that hunting was done mostly at night when the survey team did not collect data (Imong & Wood 2008). Poaching in and around the site continues to be a threat (Orji 2021). 2008-Ongoing (2021)
5 Biological resource use 5.3.1 Subsistence logging High (more than 70% of population affected) Evidence of past and ongoing logging was encountered throughout the site during a survey (Imong & Wood 2008). Reporters visited in August 2021 and observed several trucks loading logged timber day and night in and near ARFR. Due to the high demand for timber products especially in urban areas, deforestation has ravaged many areas of the reserve (Orji 2021). 2008-Ongoing (2021)
5 Biological resource use 5.3.2 Commercial logging High (more than 70% of population affected) There are two concession areas in the north and south of the reserve (BirdLife International 2024) Ongoing (2021)
7 Natural system modifications 7.1 Fire & fire suppression High (more than 70% of population affected) Large areas have been subject to dry-season bush fires, including a severe one in 1989 (BirdLife International 2024). In 2021 ARFR experienced severe fires (Orji 2021). 1989, 2002, 2021
3 Energy production & mining 3.2 Mining & quarrying Present (unknown severity) Quarries were reported in a 2008 survey (Imong & Wood 2008). Ongoing (2008)

Threats

Conservation activities

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Afi River Forest Reserve

Category Specific activity Description Implementing organization(s) Year of activity
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols Patrols are implemented but there is a lack of funding for rangers that ought to be on patrols and lack vehicles to conduct these patrols effectively (Orji 2021). Cross River State Forestry Commission Ongoing (2021)
4 Education & awareness 4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use WCS implements conservation education activities to control the forest behavior of people in the communities in the cross-river state. Evaluations have shown that the more environmental awareness is for the community, the more they tend to promote forest conservation (Obeten et al. 2024). Wildlife Conservation Society Nigeria Ongoing (2024)
5 Protection & restoration 5.2 Legally protect ape habitat The site is a forest reserve. Ongoing (2024)

Conservation activities

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Afi River Forest Reserve

Challenges Specific challenges Source Year(s)
1 Site management 1.4 Conflict on land tenure Orji 2021 Ongoing (2021)
2 Resources and capacity 2.2 Lack of staff Orji 2021 Ongoing (2021)
2 Resources and capacity 2.3 General lack of funding Orji 2021 Ongoing (2021)
4 Institutional support 4.1 Lack of law enforcement Imong & Wood 2008, Orji 2021 2008-Ongoing (2021)
4 Institutional support 4.2 Lack of government support Orji 2021 Ongoing (2021)

Challenges

Enablers

Research activities

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Afi River Forest Reserve

Category Behavior Observation type Prevalence Observation dates Source Habituation Species Comment
Not reported

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. (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).

Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Afi River Forest Reserve

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] 26.6 27.7 27.5 27.8 28.9
Annual precipitation [mm] 2070 2193 2214 2187 2172
Max no. consecutive dry days (per year) 40.9 41.8 44.5 43 48.4
No. days with heavy precipitation (per year) 4.8 4.9 5.5 5.3 6.6


Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Afi River Forest Reserve

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 5 0.73 4.5 0.87 3 1.15 9.5 1.31
Drought 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Heatwave 7 100 7 100 4 100 6.5 100
River flood 2 5.48 2.5 6.43 2 4.39 3 5.65
Tropical cyclone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wildfire 30 0.61 30 0.61 29 0.59 29 0.62


External links

[KBA Afi River Forest Reserve]
[BirdLife International]

References

BirdLife International. (2024). Important Bird Area factsheet: Afi River Forest Reserve (Nigeria). https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/afi-river-forest-reserve-iba-nigeria

Imong, I., & Wood, K. L. (2008). Wildlife and Habitat Assessment Survey of the Afi River Forest Reserve, Cross River State, Nigeria February – April 2008. WCS, FFI, Pandrillus, CRSFC and NCF.

Obeten, U. B., Ayua, A. B., Aneshie, N. L., Etta, A. C., Obun, E. M., Ojong, A. A., ... & Onnoghen, U. N. (2024). Wildlife conservation society’s activities and biodiversity conservation in protected areas in Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal for Nature Conservation, 78, 126575. doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2024.126575

Orji, S. (2021). Deforestation soars in Nigeria’s gorilla habitat: ‘We are running out of time.’ Mongabay. https://news.mongabay.com/2021/10/deforestation-soars-in-nigerias-gorilla-habitat-we-are-running-out-of-time/

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. doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345


Page created by: Priscilla Stanley Shao Date: 2024-11-28 08:27:00

Page updated by: APES Atlas Team Date: 2026-06-15

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