Eastern Guinean forests

AT0111 Afrotropic Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests 188894 km²

The Eastern Guinean forests is a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregion located in the Afrotropic biogeographic realm, covering sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, spanning approximately 188,894 km². Classified under the WWF ecoregion code AT0111, this region represents a distinct ecological community shaped by its unique combination of climate, geography, and evolutionary history.

Climate and Vegetation

This ecoregion experiences warm year-round with high annual rainfall, typically exceeding 2,000 mm. The dominant vegetation consists of dense, multi-layered canopy of broadleaf evergreen trees. These conditions create the foundation for the ecological communities found within the Eastern Guinean forests.

Ecological Significance

These forests are the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems on Earth, hosting an extraordinary density of plant and animal species per unit area. Epiphytes, lianas, and a rich understorey characterise the complex vertical structure. The Eastern Guinean forests contributes to the broader biodiversity patterns of the Afrotropic realm.

Geographic Distribution

The Eastern Guinean forests extends across Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo. This geographic range places it within the Afrotropic realm, one of the eight major biogeographic divisions of the world.

Notable Species

The Eastern Guinean forests supports a range of wildlife, including Ahl's River Frog (Phrynobatrachus latifrons), Alexandrian laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), Anil de pasto (Indigofera suffruticosa), appleblossom cassia (Cassia grandis), Aroma (Dichrostachys cinerea), Awnless Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa colonum), Bay rum tree (Pimenta racemosa), Beauty Of The Night (Mirabilis jalapa), and 42 more species.

Conservation

Like many tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecosystems, the Eastern Guinean forests faces threats from deforestation, agricultural expansion, logging, and climate change. Conservation efforts in this ecoregion focus on habitat preservation, sustainable land management, and protecting corridors that connect fragmented habitat patches.