Biodiversity status of urban remnant forests in Cape coast, Ghana

Cape Coast Metropolis, which is close to Kakum forest, has its native forests being reduced to fragments. Biodiversity in these forest reserves are exposed to the threat of being cleared over night as a result of urbanization. There are reported cases of some rare or potential medicinalplant species that have disappeared from the Cape Coast environ and is worth noting that basic knowledge of the organisms that make up most of the ecosystems in these remnant forests are woefully inadequate. In this study, inventory of vertebrates and invertebrates were undertaken infive remnant forests in Cape Coast. The study sites were surveyed for small terrestrial mammals, large mammals, avifauna, herpetofauna and invertebrates. From the inventory taken, 15604 species of invertebrates belonging to 51 families, 83 species of birds belonging to 30 familieswere sampled. Furthermore 14 species of mammals belonging to 8 families and 8 species of herpetofauna were also sampled. Although these species were of least concern under IUCN category, it is important to protect these native forests from total destruction. Benefits such as theprotection of numerous native pollinators and biological control agents can be derived when these reserves are protected. Furthermore, such reserves can be developed to become biological field stations for research or ecotourism parks which can generate employment and revenue forthe community. Conservation of biodiversity is in the interest of generations unborn; not only Ghanaians or Africans but the whole of tomorrow’s mankind

Specific identification of toads and frogs based on the mouthpart configuration of their tadpoles

The mouth part configuration of the tadpoles of some anuran amphibians were examined using a dissecting microscope. Features examined included the tooth rows, oral disc, and the jaw sheath. Two different groups of tadpoles were collected and suitable pond conditions provided for them tometamorphose into adults. One group metamorphosed to Bufo regularis and the other to Hyperolius nasatus. The Bufo regularis tadpoles had a jaw sheath that was serrate and valley-sawed with a Labial Tooth row Formula (LTF) of 2(2)/3. The Hyperolius nasatus tadpoles on the other hand had ajaw sheath that was cuspate pointed with a Labial Tooth row Formula of 2(2)(3)/3(3). The findings from this study show that it is possible to identify frogs and toads from their tadpoles without having to look for the breeding adults in the wild

A review of the status of the fauna of selected protected areas in the major vegetation zones of Ghana

The fauna in four major vegetation types, namely, rainforest, semi-deciduous forest, inland savanna and coastal scrub and grassland, was examined with the main objective of providing a general description of the fauna and highlighting the species that are threatened or of special conservation concern, nationally and globally. The fauna examined weremammals (large and small), birds and reptiles. The sources of information include the Internet, books, journals and faunal survey reports on various forest reserves and protected areas in Ghana. The threat to fauna appears to be highest in the rainforest and the semi-deciduous forest. For mammals, 41.8 and 28 per cent are threatened in the rainforest and semi-deciduous forest, respectively. The comparable figures for birds are 4.5 and 3.1 per cent. The most endangered (critically endangered) mammal species in Ghana is the Miss Waldron’s red colobus monkey(Procolobus badius); current thinking is that it has gone extinct. Six species of mammals are endangered (IUCN) in the semi-deciduous forest, two in the rainforest and four in the inland savanna; no endangered species has been recorded in the coastal scrub and grassland. The main causes of threat to fauna in forest reserves are habitat degradation andfragmentation, to which mining activities have been contributing in recent times

The Status of Three Species of Turacos in the Kakum Conservation Area in the Central Region, Ghana

The encounter rates and relative abundance of three species of turacos, namely great blue (Corythaeola cristata), green (Tauraco persa) and yellow-billed (Tauraco macrorynchus) were studied in tropical rainforest in the Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) in the Central Region of Ghana between August 2005 and June 2006. The transect count method was employed in recording all turaco contacts. Turaco numbers and encounter rates varied among the four study sites. Both green and yellow-billed turacos were relatively common in the study area. Great blue turacos were, however, very few in the KCA and, therefore, need some protective and conservation attention. Turacos were restricted to the more pristine parts of the KCA than in secondary forest, where the encounter rates were also relatively lower (0 and 2.17 individuals/h in primary and secondary forests, respectively). The relative abundance and encounter rates of turaco species also varied between the seasons of the year, with larger numbers being encountered in the major rainy season (June-July). The most suitable areas for turaco-bird watching have been identified to be in the primary forests, especially near Antwikwaa camps, and a comprehensive study of the ecology of turacos in the KCA to facilitate their conservation has also been suggested.West African Journal of Applied Ecology Vol. 13 2008: pp. 104-11