Biodiversity Conservation in the Gulf of Guinea Oceanic Islands: Recent Progress, Ongoing Challenges, and Future Directions

Abstract

The biodiversity of the oceanic islands of the Gulf of Guinea is valued internationally for its uniqueness and locally for its contribution to human welfare, but it is under growing anthropogenic pressure. We provide an overview of recent progress, ongoing challenges, and future directions for terrestrial and marine conservation. The islands were colonized in the late fifteenth century and have since relied heavily on international markets. Nevertheless, the livelihoods of many islanders depend directly on local natural resources, and growing human populations and economies are intensifying the use of these resources, including timber, land, and fisheries. Here we summarize conservation initiatives on the islands, including pivotal projects and achievements, as well as the rise of civil society and governmental engagement. We also review species and site-based conservation priorities and highlight the need for continuous updating based on ongoing research. Engagement in conservation has increased steadily in recent decades but not fast enough to counteract the growth of anthropogenic pressure on biodiversity. Fostering capacity building, environmental awareness, and research is thus urgent to ensure a thriving future for the islands, able to reconcile economic development and biodiversity conservation.

The Sea Turtles of São Tomé and Príncipe: Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation Status

“…Later on, there was also a trading network with Angola, where tortoiseshell products were made into souvenirs (Brongersma 1982;Stuart and Adams 1990;Carr and Carr 1991). The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) came into effect in 1975, to protect plant and animal species from unsustainable levels of international commercial trade, but it was only ratified by São Tomé and Príncipe in 2001 (de Lima et al 2022). Angola ratified CITES only in 2013, and local artisans of São Tomé and Príncipe report that the occasional clandestine trading of turtle shells still persists.…”

“…Vast oil reserves have been discovered in the last decade, in areas that host important sea turtle habitats. Drilling activities by large international oil corporations, associated with pollution and habitat destruction, are threats that have been increasing and are expected to continue increasing in the region, soon expanding to São Tomé and Príncipe (de Lima et al 2022).…”

“…This initiative has been an opportunity to involve and promote a change in the mentality of those who violate the law protecting sea turtles. Before the creation of these domestic laws, São Tomé and Príncipe ratified several international conventions that support in-situ conservation actions (de Lima et al 2022). The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was ratified in 1999, followed by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and CITES in 2001, and by the Abidjan Convention (United Nations Environment Program) in 2002.…”

Biodiversity in the Gulf of Guinea Oceanic Islands: A Synthesis

“…The final section of the book focuses on the conservation, education, and future of research in the oceanic islands of the Gulf of Guinea. Chapter 24 (Lima et al 2022) summarizes the state of conservation: from the cultural links to nature to the history of conservation initiatives. This chapter also lists priority species, sites, and actions.…”

Cetaceans of São Tomé and Príncipe

“…Fishermen themselves recognize that the problem of overexploitation of marine resources should be addressed through the creation of marine reserves (Maia et al 2018). So far, São Tomé and Príncipe has not created any marine protected areas (MPAs), but presently efforts are being made by local and international NGOs together with the government to propose a network of co-managed coastal MPAs (de Lima et al 2022). Wellmanaged MPAs have been reported to lead to increases in marine biodiversity, abundance, and biomass (Ballantine 2014;Grorud-Colvert et al 2021), benefit fisheries (Harrison et al 2012), and improve the local economy.…”