Sangha Trinational

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Sangha Trinational from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Mapping of Monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei Forest Across the Western Congo Basin Using Sentinel-2 Imagery

  A novel approach using Sentinel-2 imagery successfully mapped monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest within the Sangha Trinational, achieving 83% accuracy. This method distinguished G. dewevrei from spectrally similar mixed forests by leveraging spectral, vegetation, and textural indices, with gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) metrics proving critical due to the species' homogeneous canopy texture. The study demonstrates that freely available Sentinel-2 data can effectively classify distinct tropical forest types when combined with high-quality ground reference datasets, offering a promising tool for conservation monitoring in complex rainforest mosaics.

  Heimpel, E., Harris, D. J., Mamboueni, J., Morgan, D., Sanz, C., & Ahrends, A. (2025). Mapping of Monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei Forest Across the Western Congo Basin Using Sentinel-2 Imagery. Remote Sensing, 17(9), 1639. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17091639

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• Floristic and structural distinctness of monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest in the western Congo Basin

  Monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest in the western Congo Basin is both structurally and floristically distinct from adjacent mixed terre firme forests, with significant implications for conservation planning and carbon stock calculations. This study reveals that G. dewevrei forests exhibit lower stem density but a higher proportion of larger trees (>70 cm), suggesting greater carbon storage potential. Additionally, 56 vascular plant species are uniquely associated with these monodominant stands, further underscoring their ecological uniqueness. Researchers analyzed plot inventories and herbarium specimens from the Sangha Trinational to compare structural attributes (e.g., stem density, basal area) and species composition between forest types. The findings highlight the need to treat G. dewevrei forests separately in conservation strategies and carbon modeling efforts.

  Heimpel, E., Ahrends, A., Dexter, K. G., Hall, J. S., Mamboueni, J., Medjibe, V. P., Morgan, D., Sanz, C., & Harris, D. J. (2024). Floristic and structural distinctness of monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest in the western Congo Basin. Plant Ecology and Evolution, 157(1), 55–74. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.111539

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• Biodiversity hotspot in the Sangha Trinational Protected Area revealed through Orthoptera Tettigoniidae

  A groundbreaking study on the Sangha Trinational Protected Area reveals it as a significant biodiversity hotspot through the discovery of new Orthoptera Tettigoniidae species and genera. Researchers identified a new tribe (Myllocentrini), genus (Pseudoeurycorypha), and six new species from the Republic of Congo, while also synonymizing Phlaurocentrum morettoi with P. lobatum. The study also reclassified three genera into Plangiopsidini and transferred two Arantia species to a different subgenus. Notably, most endemic species face high extinction risks due to limited distribution ranges. This research underscores the Congo River Basin's critical role in biodiversity conservation, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced protection measures.

  MASSA, B. (2023). Biodiversity hotspot in the Sangha Trinational Protected Area revealed through Orthoptera Tettigoniidae. Zootaxa, 5331(1), 1–67. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5331.1.1

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• Conservation Status of the African Buffalo: A Continent-Wide Assessment

  A continent-wide assessment reveals that the African buffalo population remains stable at over 564,000 individuals, with significant subspecies imbalances. The Cape buffalo dominates, accounting for 90% of the total, while Central African savanna buffalo populations have declined by nearly half in 25 years, except in Zakouma NP (Chad) and Garamba NP (DRC). Forest buffalo populations are challenging to estimate but persist in low-density human areas, notably within the Greater TRIDOM/TNS block—a 250,000 km² pristine forest spanning Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and Central African Republic. The study analyzed data from 163 protected areas and 711 localities across 38 countries, combining aerial and ground censuses with expert feedback to assess trends between 2001–2021.

  Cornelis, D., Renaud, P. C., Melletti, M., Fonteyn, D., Bonhotal, H., Hauptfleisch, M., Asefa, A., Breuer, T., Korte, L., Scholte, P., Elkan, P., Kohi, E., Mwiu, S., Ngene, S., Omondi, P., Tadjo, S. P., Prin, T., Caron, A., Prins, H. H. T., & Chardonnet, P. (2023). Conservation Status of the African Buffalo: A Continent-Wide Assessment. Ecology and Management of the African Buffalo, 66–128. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009006828.007

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• Regional cooperation for the conservation of biodiversity in the Congo Basin forests: Feedback on actions carried out in the TRIDOM-TNS landscapes

  Over 20% of threatened species have transboundary ranges, highlighting the necessity for cross-border conservation efforts. In the Congo Basin forests—home to 10,000 plant species and iconic wildlife like forest elephants and gorillas—regional cooperation has become pivotal. This study evaluates actions in two priority landscapes: TRIDOM (Trinational Dja-Odzala-Minkébé) and TNS (Trinational Sangha), which together host critical populations of endangered species. The research employs a landscape conservation approach, analyzing the effectiveness of transnational management strategies. With four UNESCO World Heritage sites within these areas, the findings underscore the importance of coordinated efforts to protect biodiversity across political boundaries.

  Resende, T. C., & Meikengang, A. G. (2023). Regional cooperation for the conservation of biodiversity in the Congo Basin forests: Feedback on actions carried out in the TRIDOM-TNS landscapes. Managing Transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, 135–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80910-2_12

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• The Sangha Trinational: An example of cross-border biodiversity management in Central Africa

  The Sangha Trinational (TNS) stands as a pioneering cross-border biodiversity management initiative in Central Africa, established in 2000 following the Yaoundé Declaration. This collaborative effort between Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo has successfully implemented multiple regulatory frameworks to address key challenges such as poaching and transboundary movement of personnel and tourists. Key milestones include the signing of memoranda on anti-poaching efforts (2002), free movement of TNS personnel (2005), and the establishment of an Anti-Poaching Brigade (2009). The initiative underscores the potential for cross-border cooperation in conserving biodiversity, demonstrating a model for future UNESCO World Heritage Sites management. Recent memoranda on tourist movement and scientific collaboration further solidify its role as a regional leader in sustainable conservation strategies.

  Goué, A. M., & Kana, R. (2023). The Sangha Trinational: An example of cross-border biodiversity management in Central Africa. Managing Transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, 69–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80910-2_7

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• Impacts of Selective Logging and Associated Anthropogenic Disturbance on Intact Forest Landscapes and Apes of Northern Congo

  Selective logging and associated human activities in the Sangha Trinational landscape of northern Congo have complex impacts on ape populations, including chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas. Despite high densities of these apes in both intact forest landscapes (IFL) and non-IFL areas, selective logging alters floristic factors such as tree stem density and herb abundance, which may influence ape resource use. Notably, chimpanzee nesting behavior shifts in logged areas, with nests built closer to the ground compared to IFL, suggesting a reduction in their preferred tree nesting niche. While gorilla nest height remains unaffected, increased road access due to logging facilitates illegal hunting, posing a significant threat to wildlife. The study underscores the importance of long-term collaborations among stakeholders for implementing conservation strategies and certification standards that balance biodiversity protection with sustainable forestry practices.

  Morgan, D., Strindberg, S., Winston, W., Stephens, C. R., Traub, C., Ayina, C. E., Ndolo Ebika, S. T., Mayoukou, W., Koni, D., Iyenguet, F., & Sanz, C. M. (2019). Impacts of Selective Logging and Associated Anthropogenic Disturbance on Intact Forest Landscapes and Apes of Northern Congo. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2019.00028

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• Night and day: evaluating transect methodologies to monitor duikers in the Dzanga‐Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic

  Nocturnal transects significantly outperform diurnal ones for monitoring duiker populations in hunted forests, yielding higher encounter rates and more accurate density estimates. A study in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas (APDS), Central African Republic, found blue duikers at densities of 58.6 per km²—among the highest reported in western and central Africa—despite hunting pressure. Researchers used DISTANCE software to analyze data from 135 km diurnal and 150 km nocturnal transects, demonstrating that nocturnal surveys are critical for adaptive management in such ecosystems. This work provides vital baseline data for the Sangha Trinational Landscape (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and underscores the importance of nighttime monitoring in hunted forests.

  Jost Robinson, C. A., Zollner, P. A., & Kpanou, J. B. (2016). Night and day: evaluating transect methodologies to monitor duikers in the Dzanga‐Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. African Journal of Ecology, 55(2), 222–232. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12344

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