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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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BOLOMA BIJAGÓS |
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| General Description |
Boloma Bijagós Biosphere Reserve is an archipelago of 88 islands located on the coast of Guinea-Bissau in western Africa. It was formed from the ancient delta of the Rio Geba and the Rio Grande. There is a high diversity of ecosystems: mangroves with intertidal zones, palm forests, dry and semi-dry forests, secondary and degraded forests, coastal savanna, sand banks and aquatic zones. Many rivers discharge nutrient rich freshwater into the sea with resulting in very high productivity. The archipelago, therefore provides an important feeding and reproduction ground for many species. Fish, crustaceans and molluscs are especially abundant. Among the mammal species are the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) and the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius). In 1996, the Biosphere Reserve had about 27,000 inhabitants living mostly in the cities of Bubaque and Bolama. Because of the colonial history, there is a large ethnic diversity. Depending on their culture, people make their living from rice cultivation stock raising, wild palm tree exploitation, fishing and the collection of molluscs, orchards and horticulture. Several research and education programmes are taking place. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Marine archipelago | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Mangroves; palm forests; mixed dry and semi-dry forests; secondary or degraded forests; coastal savanna; wet savanna; sand banks; rocky aquatic zones | |||
| Location | 11°40' to 14°43'N; 15°20' to 17°00'W | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 101,230 | |||
| Core area(s) | 24,410 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | 23,780 | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | 53,040 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | ||||
| Year designated | 1996 | |||
| Administrative authorities | President of the Boloma-Bijagos Region in participation with various institutions at the central government level | |||
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| Brief description |
Geomorphology Climate The islands and the impact of their insularity Socio-economic aspects of the Boloma-Bijagos region |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Climate, geomorphology. | |||
| Biodiversity | Island systems/Islands. | |||
| Socio-economic | Social/Socio-economic aspects. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | Geographic Information System/GIS, impact and risk studies/environmental impact. | |||
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| Last updated: 17/10/2007 |
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