Nimba Range
| Nimba Range | |
|---|---|
 Guinean montane forests near the Nimba range | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mount Richard-Molard |
| Elevation | 1,752 m (5,748 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 40 km (25 mi) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Liberia, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire |
The Nimba Range forms part of the southern extent of the Guinea Highlands. The highest peak is Mount Richard-Molard on the border of Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea, at 1,752 m (5,748 ft). "Mount Nimba" may refer either to Mount Richard-Molard or to the entire range. Other peaks include Grand Rochers at 1,694 m (5,558 ft), Mont Sempéré at 1,682 m (5,518 ft), Mont Piérré Richaud at 1,670 m (5,480 ft), Mont Tô at 1,675 m (5,495 ft), and Mont LeClerc 1,577 m (5,174 ft), all of them are located in Guinea.[1] Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve of Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire covers significant portions of the Nimba Range.
Geology
The Nimba Range is a narrow ridge extending approximately 40 km long, with an orientation of northeast–southwest. It is composed mostly of Precambrian rock, including granite and quartzite which contain deposits of iron ore.[2] Mining of top-quality iron-ore poses the major threat to the unique geomorphology and wildlife. There are about fifty springs, including the origins of the Cavally, Cestos, and Sassandra Rivers.
Climate
Rainfall varies greatly with elevation and season. About 3,000 mm of rain falls at the highest altitudes, and between 700 and 1,200 mm at the lower elevations. In fact, some parts of the mountain receive less precipitation, due to rain-shadow effect of the high ridge. Most of the rainfall occurs between May and October.[3]
Ecology
The Nimba Range harbours an especially rich flora and fauna, and it is the home of more than 2000
Terrestrial ecoregions include
Terrestrial
The plant communities vary with altitude and cardinal orientation.
The
Below 600 meters, the montane forests transition to the Western Guinean lowland forests ecoregion.
The mountain is surrounded by
Freshwater
Swift-running streams descend steep slopes of the range, and often experience torrential floods during the rainy season. Rheophytes, plants that can live in running water, dominate the aquatic vegetation.
The endemic aquatic animals in the Nimba Range includes frogs, fish, the Nimba Stream Crab (Liberonautes nimba), and the endangered
The WWF designates the Nimba Range a distinct
The
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
In 1943, the colonial government established a Strict Nature Reserve in the Côte d'Ivoire section of the range. It was extended into Guinea the following year. The area remained protected after Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire became independent.
References
- ^ "Grand Rochers, Guinea." Peakbaggers. Accessed 27 September 2015
- ^ a b c "Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire". Encyclopedia of Earth. Accessed November 10, 2012. [1]
- ^ "Mount Nimba". Freshwater Ecoregions of the World. Accessed November 10, 2012. [2]
- ^ a b "Freshwater Ecoregions Of the World". www.feow.org. Retrieved 2016-12-20.
- ^ "Arthroleptis crusculum" IUCN Red List. Accessed 28 September 2015
- ^ "Ptychadena submascareniensis". IUCN Red List. Accessed 28 September 2015. [3]
- ^ "Mount Nimba". Freshwater Ecoregions of the World, accessed November 10, 2012 [4]
External links
- Official website of the Guinean Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
- Mount Nimba (Freshwater Ecoregions of the World)
- Guinean Montane Forests (Encyclopedia of Earth)
- Western Guinean lowland forests (Encyclopedia of Earth)
- Guinean forest-savanna mosaic (Encyclopedia of Earth)
- Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire (Encyclopedia of Earth)
- Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire (UNESCO)
- Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire (UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory)
- Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire (African World Heritage Sites)
