Dimonika Biosphere Reserve
| Dimonika Biosphere Reserve | |
|---|---|
 Dimonika landscape | |
  | |
| Coordinates | 4°10′0.125″S 12°25′0.120″E / 4.16670139°S 12.41670000°E |
| Area | 136,000 hectares (530 sq mi) |
| Established | 1988 |
| Governing body | Réserve de la biosphère de Dimonika |
The Dimonika Biosphere Reserve (French: Réserve de la biosphère de Dimonika) (established 1988) is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Republic of the Congo.
Geography and environment
[edit]The 136,000 hectares (530 sq mi) reserve is located in the central Mayombe mountain chain about 50 km (31 mi) from the Atlantic coast.[1]
The Mayombe has a hot, humid climate, combining tropical and oceanic traits. A lowland Guineo-Congolese rainforest dominates the biosphere reserve together with savanna vegetation. The area is in the transition zone between semi-deciduous and evergreen forest. Of special scientific interest are various types of forest communities recolonising old areas of forest exploitation.[1]
Wildlife
[edit]The fauna within the biosphere reserve is diverse and varied.[1] Mammals occurring in the reserve include African bush elephants, African forest buffaloes, western gorillas and chimpanzees.[2] The reserve has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of many bird species.[2]
Human activities
[edit]Compared to other rural areas of Congo, the Mayombe Mountains are densely populated.[1] Many migrants from neighboring regions, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have settled within the biosphere reserve. As of 1984[update], there were 19,000 inhabitants in the Sous-prefécture de M’Vouti. Their main activities are subsistence agriculture, hunting, fishing and gold extraction.[1]
The "Mayombe Project" aimed at improving the communication between local stakeholders, managers and scientists. In 1991, a survey was issued to determine perceptions and expectations of the biosphere reserve inhabitants. Research has been carried out on the impact of gold extraction on the biosphere reserve.[1]
Sources
[edit]
This article incorporates text from a free content work (license statement/permission). Text taken from UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory, UNESCO, UNESCO.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Biosphere Reserves: Dimonika". Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Dimonika Biosphere Reserve". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
