Country: Guinea
Administrative region: Kindia (Prefecture)
Central co-ordinates: 9.71667 N, 13.2 W
Area: 0.5km²
Qualifying IPA Criteria
A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, C(iii)Site contains nationally threatened or restricted habitat or vegetation types, AND/OR habitats that have severely declined in extent nationally
IPA assessment rationale
The Tassing Plateau is an important site for sandstone cliff species and was only recently surveyed for the first time. It is only the second known global site for Mesanthemum bennae and Cailliella praerupticola, the waterfall is the only known global site for a new species of Podostemaceae currently being described (Inversodicraea sp. nov. tassing). In addition it is home to several threatened Guinean endemic species and other globally threatened species.
Site description
Sandstone plateau with high cliffs in parts and forested steep valleys which are rocky and with limited access. The plateau straddles the prefectures of Coyah and Kindia. The nearest villages are Malassi to the south-west side and Fossikouré to the north-east. On the lower slopes of the valley and on the plateau there has been clearance for farming. The plateau is also used for cattle ranging. The grasslands are burned in the dry season. There are several seasonal waterfalls that run off the plateau; the largest near Malassi provides habitat to a unique species of Podostemaceae.
Botanical significance
The Tassing Plateau has a number of threatened Guinean endemic species present, some of which are specific to the sandstone cliffs of the lower Fouta Djalon: Cailliella praerupticola, Pitcairnia feliciana, Mesanthemum bennae (outside of Kounounkan), Heterotis pygmaea and Anisotes guineensis. Due to the fragmentation of the lowland forest in coastal Guinea, this area is an important refuge. The forested valleys have Talbotiella cheekii (EN) and Diospyros feliciana (EN), in addition to several vulnerable species of Legume trees. The waterfall is home to a new species of Podostemaceae, currently being described. Sandstone cliffs, waterfalls with Podostemaceae and lowland forest are all recognised as Threatened Habitats in Guinea.
Habitat and geology
Sandstone overlying plutonic/ metamorphic rock. Sandstone cliffs with crevices and cracks. Thin soils on the plateau with some rock outcrops. On the lower slopes the soils are deeper and humus rich.
Conservation issues
The main treats to this TIPA are from farming. Forest has been cleared on lower slopes and on parts of the plateau for fields. The high plateau area has been burnt repeatedly due to the presence of cattle herders and species that would usually have occurred here have been pushed to the edges of the plateau and to the cliff area e.g. Mesanthemum bennae and Cailliella praerupticola. There is also localised tree cutting for construction materials and hunting.
Site assessor(s)
Assessed by:
Xander van der Burgt, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Charlotte Couch, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
IPA criterion A species
| Species | Qualifying sub-criterion | ≥ 1% of global population | ≥ 5% of national population | 1 of 5 best sites nationally | Entire global population | Socio-economically important | Abundance at site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talbotiella cheekii Burgt | A(i) |  |
|
|
 |
|
Abundant |
| Cailliella praerupticola Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Mesanthemum bennae Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Heterotis pygmaea (A.Chev. & Jacq.-Fél.) Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Cryptosepalum tetraphyllum (Hook.f.) Benth. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Abundant |
| Tessmannia baikieaoides Hutch. & Dalziel | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Copaifera salikounda Heckel | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Diospyros feliciana Letouzey & F.White | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Pitcairnia feliciana (A.Chev.) Harms & Mildbr. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Anisotes guineensis Lindau | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Gilbertiodendron aylmeri (Hutch. & Dalziel) J.Léonard | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Inversodicraea tassing Cheek | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
Talbotiella cheekii Burgt
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Abundant
Cailliella praerupticola Jacq.-Fél.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Frequent
Mesanthemum bennae Jacq.-Fél.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Heterotis pygmaea (A.Chev. & Jacq.-Fél.) Jacq.-Fél.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Cryptosepalum tetraphyllum (Hook.f.) Benth.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Abundant
Tessmannia baikieaoides Hutch. & Dalziel
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Frequent
Copaifera salikounda Heckel
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Diospyros feliciana Letouzey & F.White
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Frequent
Pitcairnia feliciana (A.Chev.) Harms & Mildbr.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Frequent
Anisotes guineensis Lindau
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Gilbertiodendron aylmeri (Hutch. & Dalziel) J.Léonard
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Frequent
Inversodicraea tassing Cheek
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
IPA criterion C qualifying habitats
| Habitat | Qualifying sub-criterion | ≥ 5% of national resource | ≥ 10% of national resource | 1 of 5 best sites nationally | Areal coverage at site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandstone cliffs and walls | C(iii) | |
|
|
|
| West African Lowland Evergreen Forest | C(iii) | |
|
|
Sandstone cliffs and walls
Qualifying sub-criterion:
C(iii)
≥ 5% of national resource:
≥ 10% of national resource:
Areal coverage at site:
West African Lowland Evergreen Forest
Qualifying sub-criterion:
C(iii)
≥ 5% of national resource:
≥ 10% of national resource:
Areal coverage at site:
General site habitats
| General site habitat | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest | |
Minor |
| Rocky Areas - Rocky Areas [e.g. inland cliffs, mountain peaks] | |
Major |
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Minor
Rocky Areas - Rocky Areas [e.g. inland cliffs, mountain peaks]
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
Land use types
| Land use type | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture (arable) | |
Major |
| Forestry | |
Minor |
Agriculture (arable)
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
Forestry
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Minor
Threats
| Threat | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Shifting agriculture | High | Ongoing - increasing |
| Biological resource use - Logging & wood harvesting - Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Medium | Ongoing - stable |
| Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Unknown | Ongoing - increasing |
Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Shifting agriculture
Severity:
High
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Biological resource use - Logging & wood harvesting - Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity
Severity:
Unknown
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Bibliography
Flore (Angiospermes) de la République de Guinée.
Threatened plants species of Guinea-Conakry: A preliminary checklist
Peerj Preprints
IUCN Red List
Recommended citation
Xander van der Burgt, Charlotte Couch (2025) Tropical Important Plant Areas Explorer: Tassing Plateau (Guinea). https://tipas.kew.org/site/tassing-plateau/ (Accessed on 15/01/2025)