Gambia River, Gambia Photograph by WWF/Kate Newman   Western Africa: Stretching form Nigeria to Senegal Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   260,100 square miles (673,600 square kilometers) -- about the size of California and Colorado combined Critical/Endangered

· Melting Pot of Species
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
More Photos

Melting Pot of Species

As a transitional habitat between the rain forests of the Guinean-Congolian region and the dry savannas of Sudan, the Guinean Forest-Savanna Mosaic ecoregion is home to a wide range of species, from antelopes to forest elephants. This area is a convergence zone (or melting pot) for savanna and forest species. The predominantly savanna habitat is checkered with forest patches that run along the rivers and streams and occasionally adorn hilltops, mountains, and ridges. The wetlands of this ecoregion host a diversity of waterfowl and wading birds. These varied habitats are home to Ghana worm lizards, emerald starlings, hunting spiders, patas monkeys, and many other species.

Special Features

In this dry, tropical climate, fire is an important element: It favors grasses and inhibits the growth of trees, with the exception of some fire-resistant species such as Lophira laceolata. Fires usually occur in small patches and are often started by humans to flush game for hunting or to clear land for agriculture. Because of the diversity of habitats and the large size of this ecoregion, species richness is high, although the number of endemic species is not exceptional.

	The red-flanked duiker is believed to be crepuscular, meaning that it is most active at dusk and dawn.

Wild Side

The diversity of plant life in this ecoregion supports a wide range of animals, from forest elephants to common tortoises. Among tufts of tall grass, black-crowned cranes spread their wings wide to warm themselves at first light. In the dry forests, red-capped monkeys swing from Afzelia trees. In wetland areas, common hartebeest, forest elephants, and hippopotamuses wallow in the warm mud and water. Many species of birds also live in this ecoregion. Here male brown-cheeked hornbills fly from their tree-cavity nests to nearby fruit trees to gather food for their mates and single offspring. Near gallery forests, rufous fishing owls fly silently over the dark waters of streams and rivers, some with freshly caught fish clenched in their talons. Through small patches of forest, red-flanked duikers walk cautiously among the leaf litter, careful not to attract the attention of passing leopards or lions.

Cause for Concern

Like many West African ecoregions, the Guinean Forest-Savanna Mosaic ecoregion reflects a legacy of human exploitation that spans thousands of years. Only two percent of the ecoregion is protected today, and more and more people are burning the dry forests to clear land for farms.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.