Publications
Diversity and Biogeographical Affinities of Edible Frogs in the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Western Côte d'Ivoire
A survey of edible frogs in the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Côte d'Ivoire, revealed 15 species across six families, with Ptychadenidae being the most diverse. The study found significant spatial variation in species richness and abundance, with transects T6 and T2 showing the highest diversity and population counts. Most species were classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though three were Data Deficient and one, Odontobatrachus arndti, was Near Threatened. Biogeographical analysis indicated a strong affiliation with the western Upper Guinea region. The findings underscore the importance of habitat-sensitive management to sustain edible frog populations in this ecologically sensitive protected area.
Forest in the making
Liberian forests, particularly those within the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, are not passive biophysical spaces but actively constructed socio-natürliche territories shaped by competing claims of governance, conservation, and development. This dissertation reveals how scientific forestry, legal reforms, and global conservation agendas—such as REDD+—have transformed traditional land-use mosaics into administratively controlled spaces, often marginalizing local communities and reinforcing historical inequalities. Through a genealogical approach combining political ecology and environmental history, the study traces how narratives of scarcity, degradation, and biodiversity crises have reshaped forest governance, while also exposing the tensions between state authority, corporate extraction, and indigenous land rights. A key insight is that conservation in Liberia operates within an extractive political economy, where ecological protection is tolerated only if it does not disrupt capital accumulation, leaving local communities structurally disadvantaged despite occasional benefits.
Illegal Hunting and Chimpanzee Distribution in the Seringbara Region of the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve: A Multi‐Scale Modelling Approach
High-altitude zones above 750 meters within the Seringbara region of Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve serve as critical refuges for chimpanzees, offering relative protection from human disturbance while also representing areas of heightened encounter probability with illegal hunters. This study employed multi-scale ecological niche models using GPS data on chimpanzee activities (feeding, traveling, nesting) and human hunting evidence, revealing that chimpanzees prefer steeper slopes and dense vegetation, whereas hunters avoid such areas. The research identifies significant spatial overlap between chimpanzee activity zones and illegal hunting hotspots, pinpointing strategic regions for targeted conservation efforts to mitigate threats from poaching in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Variation in the Demographic Structure of the Viviparous Toad Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis (Anura: Bufonidae) before and after a Fire in the Altimontane Grasslands of the Mount Nimba Integral Nature Reserve, Westen Côte d’Ivoire
A severe fire in the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve led to a 74% decline in the population of the critically endangered viviparous western toad (Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis), with survivors predominantly found in grassland habitats. Before the fire, the species showed a balanced demographic structure, but post-fire surveys revealed a dramatic increase in juvenile dominance (>80%) and a significant drop in breeding adults. The study suggests that high-intensity fires cause substantial mortality, particularly among vulnerable age classes, and highlight grasslands as crucial refuges for survival. Conducted over 640 person-hours with standardized transect surveys, this research underscores the urgent need for fire management strategies to protect this unique species in its fragile ecosystem.
Abundance and Distribution of Carnivorous Mammals in a Protected Area : Preliminary Study in the Mount Nimba Integral Nature Reserve (West, Cote Divoire)
A preliminary study in the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Côte d'Ivoire, identified five carnivore species—golden cat (Caracal aurata), African civet (Civettictis civetta), African genet (Genetta genetta), marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus), and brown mongoose (Crossarchus obscurus)—with the Viverridae family being the most abundant. The research, conducted from 2020 to 2024 using line transect counting and camera trapping, found carnivores distributed across four habitat types: dense lowland forests, dense montane forests, gallery, and secondary forests. Abundance was notably higher in the southern and northern regions of the reserve. The study highlights the need for further research on prey spectra and activity patterns to deepen understanding of ecosystem dynamics and support sustainable conservation efforts.
Detection of degraded forests in Guinea, West Africa, using convolutional neural networks and Sentinel-2 time series
A convolutional neural network (CNN) model, specifically U-Net, demonstrates superior accuracy and robustness in detecting forest degradation across diverse Guinean forest regions using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. With a 94% agreement with photo-interpreted maps in the Ziama massif and over 91% accuracy in Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, the U-Net model outperformed other algorithms like Random Forest (RF), SegNet, and ResNet-UNet. This study highlights the potential of CNN-based methods to replace traditional photo-interpretation techniques for land cover mapping, offering a more efficient and reliable approach for monitoring forest degradation in West Africa.
Genetics as a novel tool in mining impact assessment and biomonitoring of critically endangered western chimpanzees in the Nimba Mountains, Guinea
A groundbreaking study reveals that non-invasive genetic sampling is highly effective for monitoring critically endangered western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in the Nimba Mountains, Guinea—a region under consideration for mining activities. Analyzing 663 fecal samples from 999 collected between 2003 and 2018 using 26 microsatellites, researchers identified at least 136 chimpanzees across four communities, demonstrating high genetic diversity, shared ancestry, and evidence of migratory events. Sampling saturation was achieved in two communities, with capture rates exceeding estimated population sizes by 3.2 to 4.3 times. The study underscores the potential of genetic censusing, combined with camera trapping, as a robust tool for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), enabling long-term biomonitoring and conservation management. This approach provides critical baselines for implementing mitigation strategies and safeguarding chimpanzee populations in mineral-rich but ecologically sensitive areas.
To drum or not to drum: Selectivity in tree buttress drumming by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in the Nimba Mountains, Guinea
Chimpanzees at Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve exhibit selective behavior when drumming on tree buttresses, favoring larger trees with thinner and broader buttresses. This suggests that buttress drumming is a goal-oriented communication strategy rather than a random act, likely used for long-distance signaling. The study analyzed drumming patterns at the Seringbara site in Guinea, revealing that chimpanzees prioritize buttress characteristics that enhance sound propagation, supporting its role in nonvocal communication within their dynamic social structure.
Identification and validation of Western African freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas
Western Africa's freshwater ecosystems are critical for global biodiversity, housing entire populations of threatened species such as fishes, molluscs, and aquatic plants. A recent study identifies and validates key sites—including Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve—as essential for conservation due to their high endemism and unique biodiversity. However, the report reveals a significant gap in monitoring data, with many species unobserved for decades, hindering efforts to track conservation trends. Threats to these sites are outlined, along with urgent recommendations for surveys and research actions to safeguard this irreplaceable biodiversity.
On the nomenclatural status of some species of Haplotaxidae (Clitellata) from Guinea
A critical nomenclatural review of Haplotaxidae species from Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Guinea, resolves long-standing taxonomic confusion. The study identifies unjustified prior interpretations that misclassified several oligochaete taxa, clarifying their valid names under current nomenclature (Reynolds & Wetzel 2020). This addresses a homonymy issue with Villiersia Omodeo, 1987, which overlapped with a nudibranch genus. The research combines historical literature review and systematic analysis to establish authoritative species designations, ensuring stability in scientific communication about this biodiverse West African site.
Ants response to mining prospection disturbances across vegetation zones in tropical mountain chains of Mount Nimba, Guinea, West Africa
Ant communities in tropical mountain chains, particularly those in Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, show significant resilience to early mining disturbances but are more vulnerable in forest habitats. A study comparing ant richness and species composition across three vegetation zones—highland meadows, transition savannahs, and altitudinal forests—revealed that while meadows and savannahs remained relatively stable between mining prospecting sites and nearby undisturbed areas (World Heritage Sites), forest habitats exhibited notable differences. Despite variations in weather and soil variables, such as soil pH, vegetation structure emerged as the primary factor influencing ant assemblage composition. This finding underscores the critical role of native forest protection and rehabilitation in successful mine site restoration efforts.
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