Our forest:

Located in the south-eastern edge of Sierra Leone, on the border with Liberia.

• It is the largest remaining area of the Upper Guinea tropical moist lowland high evergreen forest with a total area of 71,070 ha in Sierra Leone and• home to many species• many of them being endemic to the Upper Guinea forests

• Total: 970 plant species / 599 endemic species• 49 species of large mammals (Pygmy hippopotamus, African forest Elephant, Zebra duiker, Chimpanzee, Diana monkey and western red Colobus) • 313 species of birds,18 conservation concern • 43 species of amphibians• some Bats and Butterfly species new to science

For example:

Our current studies in the National Park:• Phenology Studies• Carbon plot studies

• Picathartes monitoring• Camera Trapping exercise

• Hydrology Studies• Primate monitoring

• Diana monkey habituation • Pygmy hippo survey

• Butterfly survey• Chimpanzee Survey

•REDD+ project

Diana Monkey.

Rainfall Data Collection

Measurement of trees

GRNP, rich in biodiversity, habours exceptional levels of endemism and numerous species which are globally threatened such as `Malimbus ballmanni`.

The high levels of diversity and endemism are indicative of the forest`s role as a glacial refugium, which has been most clearly demonstrated by genetic analysis of Gola`s herpetofauna

GRNP shows a high variety of different forest habitats in different stages (Pristine to disturbed, and various succession stages).

With the Park Operations unit, we deployed 50 forest guards on patrol inside the NP with significant impact and reduced illegal activities.

Stabilizing biodiversity loss eg Primate densities increased through monitoring the trends.

Outside the Protected Area very little forest cover left and high levels of hunting

Collecting data from electronic rain gauges but no analysis yet. Based on observations rainfall pattern is now changing.

To enhance protection of biodiversity around the forest corridors connecting GRNP with the Protected Area in Liberia.

Forest Overview

BY - Mr. Sullay MohamedSuperintendent, Research and Biodiversity.