The lowland renosterveld is part of the Fynbos Biome, although it is very distinct from Fynbos due to its lack of the three distinct Fynbos elements, the Proteas, Ericas (heather) and Restios (reeds). However, it is one of the richest ecosystems in the world, as a result of its extraordinary biodiversity. The renosterveld that we see today is vastly different from that of 300 years ago, before the large-scale agriculture began to threaten its existence.
South Africa’s landscape is one of the most diverse in the world. Its Cape Floral is one of only six flora kingdoms in the world. The ecosystem supports an impressive 9,600 recorded plant species, of which 70% are endemic. Many of the critical habitats of the Cape Flora (including the lowland fynbos, succulent Karoo and renosterveld) are being severely threatened by human development pressures on the land.
Of the two islands making up the Zanzibar archipelago, the less populated and developed Pemba Island hosts some of the richest marine biodiversity in Tanzania and the East African coast in its extensive reefs and mangroves, including turtles, dolphins, dugongs and occasional whales. It is also one of the main sources of subsistence and income for its relatively remote communities, who have witnessed reduced fish catches due to overexploitation and damaging fishing practices – such as the use of destructive drag-nets.
Across Laikipia County, Kenyan conservation organisations have successfully managed the transition from colonial-era cattle ranches to mixed-use cattle/game systems that have encouraged burgeoning wildlife populations outside formal protected areas. Preeminent amongst these is Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC), which holds a Key 1 population of black rhinoceros, and species that are in general decline including African lion and wild dog.
FFI’s work in Guinea focuses on the Ziama Massif forest and is part of the transboundary project with Liberia. Ziama – a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) – contains the last remaining population of forest elephants in Guinea and is therefore considered a priority site for forest elephant in West Africa. The aim of the project is to ensure that Ziama is an intact and effective Man and Biosphere reserve supporting viable populations of key species, co-managed and equitably benefiting local men and women.
A scoping study was conducted in 2014 - 2015 to help FFI formulate action plans to work with communities to restore two important forest connections between Budongo Forest and Mukihani, and between Bugoma and Wambabya forest reserves in the Albertine Rift in Western Uganda. This study produced a five year Forest Corridor Action Plan which has been used to inform further work in this area.
FFI also plays a lead role in the development and implementation of Species Action Plans. In 2013, the pygmy hippopotamus (PH) National Action Plan, supported by FFI and FDA, was finalised, presenting clear strategies for PH conservation in Liberia. Data collected regularly through transect and camera trap surveys in the SNP alone suggest that the PH density in the SNP is 0.45/km2, which has prompted FFI to plan a nationwide survey of the PH in Liberia.
Since 2012, FFI Liberia has led a national programme that focuses on building the capacity of the next generation of Liberia’s conservation professionals. This work has led to the establishment of the Sapo Conservation Centre, in the Sapo National Park (SNP), for training in and research into ecological techniques and conservation, as well as the development of two Biodiversity Conservation courses for the Forestry Department of the University of Liberia.
Consisting of 180,365 hectares, Sapo National Park (SNP) houses a mosaic of distinctive flora and fauna, such as the critically endangered West African chimpanzee, the endangered pygmy hippopotamus, and the vulnerable African Forest elephant. Due to the forest being entirely located within the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem, one of the 34 most biologically rich and endangered terrestrial ecoregions in the world, the need to effectively manage the protected areas in this region cannot be overemphasised.
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