Western Congo Basin Moist Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Comprise the second largest contiguous rain forest
Snapshot: Ecoregion 6
Size:
563,000 sq. km (218,500 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Republic of Congo
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable
Quiz Time!
What do you know about Beecroft's tree hyraxes' eating habits?
Answer:Beecroft's tree hyraxes feed on leaves, fruits, twigs, and grasses, eating as much as one-third of their body weight in a day!
About the Area
The Western Congo Basin Moist Forests are among the richest and most intact tropical forest regions in the world. They made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Northwestern Congolian lowland forests; Western Congolian swamp forests.
The Western Congo Basin Moist Forests form part of the Congolian Forest Region in Central Africa, which is the second largest contiguous rain forest after the Amazon. Here, relatively intact large blocks of forest are home to many species, particularly large vertebrate populations.Local Species
This is the one of the richest ecoregions in Africa in terms of biodiversity, supporting many species of mammals, birds, amphibians, fishes, and swallowtail butterflies. Selected species include the Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), Crowned monkey (Cercopithecus mona pogonias), and the forest dwelling populations of African elephant (Loxodonta africana).
A number of other mammals are supported by these forest habitats. They include the Giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni), Bongo (Tragelaphus euryceros), and the Beecroft's tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis).
Amongst the bird species found here are the Forest swallow (Hirundo fuliginosa), Dja River warbler (Bradypterus grandis), Bates's weaver (Ploceus batesi), and the African river martin (Pseudochelidon eurystomina).
Threats
While the forests of this ecoregion are relatively intact, increasing logging activity and clearing for agriculture threaten them. Ravaged by commercial interests (Ivory, skins, rubber, slaves) for about 100 years, the indigenous people have been deeply affected by these events.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
